My question is if you could choose a battle in history that you would either take part in or witness first hand, what would the battle be? In what capacity would you take part and why?
The answers should be what ever you think/feel and should not be open to too much ridicule for being unrealistic or whatever. I'm just trying to provide an opportunity for discussion by us Armchair Generals. Hope you don't mind.

To get things running I will start first...

The Battle of Thermopylae, Fighting with the Spartans against the Persian Horde. Why?.. I'm stupid and like a good fight? To face the unwinable and hopefully not step back? Glory?.. Did I mention I was stupid? (Please do NOT mention the film 300! )

Ok, I can understand that war is hell and I have no illusions that there may be people here who may not agree with this exercise but try to keep in mind that this is not meant as a slight against the memories of any past or present soldiers or their efforts in conflict.

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The Battle of Antietam, the worst 1-day battle in American history.  23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or MIA after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17th 1862.  It is a battle that is often overcast by the more recognized, more sustained, Battle of Gettysburg (which would also be a good pick).

It would be absolutely hellish to observe let alone participate, but as a proud American I believe it would give me a lasting appreciation of our forefathers' sacrifices.

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author of Syncing Forward and other stories...

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I've got my Milkbone underwear on.

I wish to live. So preferably watching the most bloodless battle in history if I couldn't get further away!

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'Abolish red trousers?! Never! Red trousers are France!' – Eugene Etienne, War Minister, 1913
"Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography."
General Plumer, 191x

I knew that was coming   I was asking for it I suppose.

Ok, but you've unfortunately got to go sometime TRC. What battle would you spectate and why?

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My head is full of War...

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Whatever battle where I could meet a lot of Hot Chicks after the fighting !!!                                                                    But taking the question in context, I'd like to see Rommel's vaunted genius at the Gazala Line and El Alamein battles ...  even if the outcome was not always in his favor ...

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Thanks L4, I was still eating my dinner when I read that. You have a cleaning bill to pay buddy. That's twice today L4.  

Yeah, Rommel's another good choice. If it's WWII then I think that Bastogne holds some fascination for me as well as the Hürtgen Forest.

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My head is full of War...

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There are so many to choose from, where do I start? Maybe Omaha Beach. I've always wondered how anyone survived to make it inland. Kursk would be cool to watch because of all the armor.

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"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate." N. Peart

hmmm...

Sekigahara, and a couple others in Japan.

A long list in China.

Nothing really grabs me in the more-or-less modern era, although the Wars of German Unification is a little tempting.

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"For the Lion and the Emperor!"

Lion in the Stars I think I'll need to look up wikipedia for that one. I'm ashamed to say I know little about that regions History.

Omaha? I don't mind the thought of a stand up toe to toe with anyone but after watching Saving Private Ryan I think I'm with TRC on this one DS, I choose life. Kursk is another good one. I would ask Russian or German side but don't want to offend anyone, so nuff said.

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My head is full of War...

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      I try !

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Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

If you mean 'if I could watch a battle first hand as it unfolds', then there are a couple:

Midway/Coral Sea
Qadesh
Caena
El Alamein

Essentially, any battle which is fluid and pits strategy and tactics in action.

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Well if I had to go I'd probably pick defending one of the clusters of tutsis and moderate hutu that sprang up and got overrun/slaughtered in Rwanda during the genocide. Probably better than dying for a random general or country.

If it was spectating I guess the charge of the crusaders to break the Muslim armies following the capture of Jerusalem.

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If using E-Bay use this link to support Tac Com!
'Abolish red trousers?! Never! Red trousers are France!' – Eugene Etienne, War Minister, 1913
"Gentlemen, we may not make history tomorrow, but we shall certainly change the geography."
General Plumer, 191x

Ah, I see Chris is a bit of the romantic also. Yes Rwanda should never have been allowed to happen. I had the same feeling about the Bosnia/Serbia/Croatia war.

Midway/Coral Sea - I really get engrossed in carrier warfare. One of the greatest moments I'll always remember - visiting the USS Hornet in San Fran. She was in a state of disrepair/mid-repair but being actually there where it all took place, wow. Words fail. The kill board was astounding, too.

Qadesh - Syria? How come?
Caena - I get a weird load of World of Warhammer stuff when I Goggle. Do you mean Caen? - That was a bloody struggle of attrition. Tactical?
El Alamein - 1st or 2nd El Alamein? 2nd for me as it is the turning point for us Brits after Monty kicked the army into shape and used it intelligently. Good stuff.

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My head is full of War...

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I hate to rain on your parade, but the Hornet you saw was not the one at Midway. The one that fought at Midway was sunk during the Guadalcanal campaign. The Hornet you saw is an Essex-class carrier named in honor of the one that was sunk.

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"I don't believe in destiny or the guiding hand of fate." N. Peart

Oops, my mistake. Still, it was a fantastic ship with a fine history.

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My head is full of War...

[img]http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/Warhead40k/Tyranid%20Swarm/DSC02262.jpg[/img]