Last updated: 21 March 2013
Until 2 June 2013 - White Space Gallery
Exploring 400 years of British Army history, from the English Civil War to the current conflict in Afghanistan, this exhibition gives you the key facts, describes the impact and looks at the legacy of 20 of Britain’s greatest battles. We are asking you to decide which of these was the greatest engagement ever fought.
Original artefacts tell the stories behind the battles and the real-life experiences of the soldiers who fought in them. They reveal how tactics, bravery, logistics, innovation and luck have helped the British Army secure victory and where it has found its fiercest challenges and bitterest setbacks.
It wasn't just great British victories that made it onto the shortlist. The selection process took into consideration the political, historical and cultural impact, the difficulties and challenges the Army overcame, and the innovative deployment of strategy and tactics. The choice of battles also reflects the global reach of the British Army and recognises the vital contributions of Commonwealth troops.
Britain’s Greatest Battles aims to highlight the most notable clashes the British Army has seen, as well as draw attention to some of the lesser-known ones. It takes into account all kinds of 'battles', including sieges, campaigns, last stands and charges.
The online voting has now closed. Your votes have selected Waterloo, Aliwal, D-Day/Normandy, Rorke's Drift and Imphal/Kohima as the top five battles which will be represented at our all-day speaker event on 20 April. This day of debate will finally determine which is Britain’s Greatest Battle!
21 January 2013, 8.21pm
Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
21 January 2013, 8.22pm
Naseby
Naseby
21 January 2013, 8.22pm
Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
22 January 2013, 6.32pm
1918 Battle of Amiens has
1918 Battle of Amiens has been ignored. Why?
22 January 2013, 6.55pm
The Battle of Ashingdon,
The Battle of Ashingdon, 1016, near Southend on Sea, in Essex. This battlefield is not featured on maps! Why???????
24 January 2013, 11.03pm
I know this is the National
I know this is the National Army Museum but how about a tip of the hat to sister services, the RN and RAF? The Armada, Trafalgar and Battle of Britain are equally noteworthy events.
24 January 2013, 11.33pm
What about the Battle of
What about the Battle of Britain, All of the others are significant, but I think pale in comparison, this was nation's fight for its very life, fail and it means invasion. I think it was the nation's finest hour.
26 January 2013, 11.39am
What about the Battle of
What about the Battle of Hastings?
26 January 2013, 5.19pm
Great Britain as a state did
Great Britain as a state did not exist before the Act of Union of 1707, so this would surely eliminate both Naseby and Blenheim from consideration. If however one is looking at battles which contributed to the formation of Great Britain then what about the battle of Hastings in 1066.
26 January 2013, 11.09pm
What about the Battle of the
What about the Battle of the Boyne? Or, the War of 1812?
28 January 2013, 7.22pm
Le Cateau? If Smith-Dorrien
Le Cateau? If Smith-Dorrien had not held firm, crucially delayed the German advance and withdrawn in good order, the right wing of the German army might have overwhelmed the Allied left, and swung south of Paris and won the war.
28 January 2013, 11.35pm
The Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne seemed to be airbrushed out, this cemented the Glorious Revolution of 1688, extremely important in British/Irish history.
29 January 2013, 9.14pm
Hastings, and the Boyne are
Hastings, and the Boyne are glaring omissions. The Boyne especially so, if we are looking at British rather than exclusively English battles. It was at least as important as Naseby in securing constitutional monarchy, and was a much more substantial battle than Culloden, or the various imperial adventures mentioned.
Not only did it decisively shape the internal politics of Britian, but had a massive strategic impact on Europe. A major French/Irish victory or the death of William III would have decisively weakened the alliance against Louis, and left Europe open to French domination.
30 January 2013, 8.30am
It has to be Waterloo - it
It has to be Waterloo - it is a classic battle of any period and features all the latest technology at the time - rifles, rockets and shrapnel shells. With the two greatest generals of their day facing across one mile and the destiny of Europe in their hands. The first time England came to save Europe.
31 January 2013, 5.22am
I appreciate that although
I appreciate that although the title of this article is about "Britain's Greatest Battles" (clarified later to mean "Army" battles), it is nonetheless myopic and parochial.
The Battle of Britain transcends many of these events in terms of British and world history.
BoB prevented a Nazi invasion which ensured a base from which to launch the European Second Front against the Nazis. BoB also forced Hitler's hand into attacking eastward, which (to the USSR's chagrin) meant that the Nazis would bleed themselves nearly to death fighting the Soviet army, rendering them highly vulnerable to attack from the west. Without the British success at the Battle of Britain, Allied victory could not have been guaranteed, and the post-war outcome would have been profoundly different.
Ultimately this decisive RAF victory meant that the Army would NOT have to fight the greatest battle for British survival on English soil.
31 January 2013, 8.58am
The "100 days" of 1918 saw
The "100 days" of 1918 saw Britain's largest ever army defeat what had been, just 4 years earlier, the world's most powerful army, and which had held the BEF in Contempt. Has to be Britain's greatest military achievement.
1 February 2013, 6.56pm
While we are debating what
While we are debating what does and does not constitute a "British" battle, should we remove those in which a large proportion of the winning side under an English or British overall commander were actually foreigners? Blenheim, Waterloo and D-Day/Normandy immediately spring to mind.
1 February 2013, 10.04pm
It has to be the battle of
It has to be the battle of britain to stop nazi germany conquering western europe if britain had lost this battle the outcome of ww2 could have and probably been very different
3 February 2013, 3.03pm
Of the battles listed
Of the battles listed Culloden is the most important, the army adopted the fast musketry that defeated Napoleon's armies, it stabilised politics and helped bring hard fighting Scottish troops into our forces by strengthening the United Kingdom eventually. The other battles needed to be won, but had less impact on subsequent history, the Americans would still have won the war of independence for instance.
5 February 2013, 1.00am
It is interesting to read the
It is interesting to read the different interpretations by respondents to this supposedly simple question. It shows the deep regard individuals have for our military historical past. I can see where most people are coming from with their choices. I would like to vote for Agincourt but it is not on the list. Also, the BEF in 1914 (old contemptibles) helped hold back the Germans until more allied forces arrived. From a strategic point of view it has to be Waterloo, even though the Wellington army was made up of soldiers of many European countries.
7 February 2013, 2.54am
The siege of Namur of 1695
The siege of Namur of 1695 should be included because it was the first major victory of the Confederate Army under William III over the French, and it was also the first major siege and victory of a modern British Army.
9 February 2013, 1.24pm
Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
10 February 2013, 8.25pm
The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings changed our future while Waterloo and the Battle of Normandy secured our way of life.
10 February 2013, 9.48pm
Why set a limit of the last
Why set a limit of the last 400 years when the battles that created our nation were fought in the Dark ages or earlier? Boudicca's defeat at Paulerspury (c. 61), the battle of Mons Badonicus (c. 500), the battle of Deorham (c. 577), the Battle of Catraeth (c. 598, Catterick has been occupied by the British army every since!) and finally, Athelstan's victory at Brunanburgh in 937, when he became overlord of all Albion (now Great Britian) and was recognised as the most powerful King in Europe.
13 February 2013, 10.51am
For me it was the battle for
For me it was the battle for Arnhem
13 February 2013, 2.50pm
The Suffragettes: Battle for
The Suffragettes: Battle for the vote for Women.
13 February 2013, 3.27pm
22 january 1879 Battle of
22 january 1879 Battle of Rorke Drift, part of the Zulu war in south africa, if that battle had have been lost our present in this part of the world would have made a great difference in later years and i believe more V.C. MEDALS the highest decoration for gallantry where awarded.
14 February 2013, 3.11am
The Battle of the Atlantic is
The Battle of the Atlantic is my choice because if this battle had been lost then all other British efforts in WW2 would have been almost certain to fail. "The Battle of the Atlantic was the dominating factor all through the war. Never for one moment could we forget that everything happening elsewhere, on land, at sea or in the air depended ultimately on its outcome... It has been called the "longest, largest, and most complex" naval battle in history. The campaign began immediately after the European war began and lasted six years. It involved thousands of ships in more than 100 convoy battles and perhaps 1,000 single-ship encounters, in a theatre covering thousands of square miles of ocean. The situation changed constantly, with one side or the other gaining advantage, as new weapons, tactics, counter-measures, and equipment were developed by both sides. The Allies gradually gained the upper hand, overcoming German surface raiders by the end of 1942 and defeating the U-boats by mid-1943, though losses to U-boats continued to war's end" from wikipedia
14 February 2013, 11.23am
Looks like a fascinating
Looks like a fascinating exhibition. I think it might have been better entitled the 'British Army's Greatest Battles' as a real list of Britain's greatest battles would surely include pre-standing army actions like Hastings, Bannockburn, Agincourt, Towton and Flodden.
14 February 2013, 7.22pm
The battle of Waterloo gets
The battle of Waterloo gets my vote. Where the scourge of Europe was finally defeated by the Iron Duke.
17 February 2013, 11.13am
#1. Battle of Waterloo #2.
#1. Battle of Waterloo
#2. Battle of Blenheim
#3. Battle of Imjin River
#4. Battle of Imphal
#5. Battle of Lucknow
#6. El Alamein
#7. Agincourt
#8. Battle of the Plains of Abraham
#9. Arnhem
#10.Crecy
17 February 2013, 12.43pm
What about the Falklands,
What about the Falklands, probably the last truly British campaign
17 February 2013, 4.57pm
The Battle of Britain? Not
The Battle of Britain? Not really, it would be better if it was named The Battle for Britain, in as much according to Grand Admiral Raeder He persuaded Hitler against an invasion because of the presence of the Home and Allantic Fleets at Scapa. The idea of Georing defeating the RAF first was only part of the scheme. it would have been an utter shambles with the RN in amongst an invasion fleet in the English Channel.
19 February 2013, 4.15pm
If we are talking about
If we are talking about battles won in a single day, then the choice must fall on the two major battles of the Napoleonic Wars, Trafalgar and Waterloo, which established Britain's supremacy across the world for more than a century. In the 20th century, the Battle of Britain must reign supreme. The Battle of the Atlantic was vital, but I would suggest that it was a campaign, rather than a battle, as it was fought over a five-year period. And what about the siege of Malta? If we had lost Malta, we would have lost the Mediterranean. Rommel's supply lines would have remained intact and he would almost certainly have reached the Suez Canal.
19 February 2013, 6.49pm
The real Battle of Britain
The real Battle of Britain was the Battle of the Atlantic won by the Royal and US Navies. Churchill said himself that this was the only one that really worried him. And yes, you can't really leave out the the RN and RAF.
21 February 2013, 10.29am
What about the battle for
What about the battle for Mirbat (Oman) - the small detatchment of SAS troops against 250-400 better-armed insurgents, and with conspicuous bravery shown.
6 March 2013, 9.04pm
How do you judge this? It can
How do you judge this? It can be only subjective. Taking only the Second World War, you can consider sea, land and air, such as the Battle of Britain, the Battle of the Atlantic (the only 'battle' that continued for the duration of the war); battles such as the landings of the 2 Army at Normandy delivered by the Royal Navy with key support of the Royal Air Force. In Italy, the crossing of the River Garigliano, Cassino, Anzio and Salerno, Plus Kohima, Imphal, Meiktila and Kangaw out in South East Asia. Each one in its own way was the greatest battle to the people who fought there, never mind what I think!
14 March 2013, 12.47pm
In terms of strategic effect,
In terms of strategic effect, it has to be either Waterloo or the 100 Days in 1918. The other battles cited here, whilst remaining splendid examples of British military activity, are full of quotes such as "Allowed x to happen" or "prevented y from happening" - in other words, were simply part of an otherwise continuing campaign/war. Waterloo and the 100 Days were final and decisive in finishing a long and bloody war in both cases.
To give the edge of one over the other, I would say Waterloo - overall British commander of an Allied force (no, I'm not forgetting the Prussians, but Wellington commanded all Allies on the field until they arrived) and we never again went to war with France (exempt Vichy, which doesn't really count as we had Free French on our side too).
15 March 2013, 1.32pm
Battle of Vimy in Dec 1916
Battle of Vimy in Dec 1916 was a turning point from massed ranks to fire and movement and as such revolutionised infantry tactics.
15 March 2013, 8.21pm
The emphasis is on legacy, so
The emphasis is on legacy, so the answer is a bit easier. As an ex Tankie the GREATEST legacy of any battle within the last 400 years has got to be the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November - 7 December 1917. Although not the first occasion when tanks were used, it was the first time they were used en-mass. The legacy of this battle is the TANK, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 3 years time.
15 March 2013, 8.23pm
@ Rob Palmer BRITISH ARMY!
@ Rob Palmer
BRITISH ARMY!
20 March 2013, 10.54pm
Mirbat gets my vote. Nails
Mirbat gets my vote. Nails them lads.
27 March 2013, 10.42am
the '100 days' in 1918
the '100 days' in 1918 followed by Waterloo
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