I have done a bit of research and it seems the Somme, Towton and maybe Bannockburn are up there? Any more to throw into the mix?
Great site by the way!
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1You would probably have to add Marston Moor and Flodden to the Somme, Towton and Bannockburn. – CGCampbell Apr 4 '16 at 18:50
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1How can I forget Flodden! I am a Scot as well! Thanks. Flodden was around 20,000 casualties if I can remember my school days correctly? – Paul Laing Apr 4 '16 at 18:53
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4Despite historical importance, the bloodiest medieval battles are tiny compared with a few days casualties of any World War. – Pere Apr 13 '18 at 23:34
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@Pere I think we can limit that to World War I. The total British KIA during World War II is estimated at 383,700, and there are at least 3 battles during the first war with comparable British casualties. – Spencer Dec 15 '19 at 22:06
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@Pere possibly not when you conisder relative sizes of the forces involved, and the population at the time and the effects of those loss on that population. – bigbadmouse Dec 16 '19 at 8:28
You might want to consider following battles as bloodiest for British armies. Please note I am not considering a day-by-day casualties count, but the total casualties for a battle.
- The Somme battle: classic, you cite that one already. A long and bloody battle, with I think some top day by day casualties count
- Battle of Ypres (WW1 as well)
- German Michael offensive on British forces
- Battle of Lys, a few days after the Michael offensive
- Battle of Normandy: long and blooy battle, because the British forces, as well as Commonwealth forces, handled so much offensives against German forces
- Market Garden operation (Arnhem battle) : heavy losses on airborne and armoured forces
Some good candidates:
- I suspect the Pedestal operation has suffered very high casualties, considering the high number of sunk ships and the inhability to control the battlefield after the fight
- Battle of Gandamak, 1st war of Afghanistan: a good candidate for the Asiatic zone, with 15 000 casualties including about 4 500 soldiers.
- 1917 year of air battles: a very hard year for the Royal Air Force, with numerous losses. A lot of deaths for air forces, but not as a number
- Raid on Nuremberg: A lot of deaths for air forces, but not as a number
