The Most Popular Battlefield: Ranking the Most Favored Historic Sites

Choose the battlefield you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 5, 2023 07:03)
Step onto the frontlines and join the ranks of history's most epic battles as we embark on a journey to discover the most popular battlefield of all time! Here at StrawPoll, we've assembled thousands of fellow warriors, strategists, and history enthusiasts to cast their votes and make their voices heard. Will it be the sands of ancient Egypt, the fields of medieval Europe, or perhaps the trenches of World War I? The choice is yours, and every vote counts! So rally your troops, sharpen your swords, and prepare for glory as you navigate through thrilling tales of conquest and heroism. And if you feel the call to champion a missing battlefield, fear not – for you can suggest it and lead the charge in our ever-evolving rankings. Ready your defenses and march onward to explore and determine the ultimate, most popular battlefield in history – only at StrawPoll!

What Is the Most Popular Battlefield?

  1. 1
    55
    votes
    This battle is often considered the turning point of the American Civil War and is one of the most famous battles in American history. It was fought from July 1-3, 1863, and resulted in over 50,000 casualties.
    Description
    The Battle of Gettysburg was a significant battle fought during the American Civil War. It took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle marked the turning point of the war, as it halted the Confederate Army's second invasion of the North and led to the Union Army's ultimate victory.
    • Date: July 1-3, 1863
    • Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, United States
    • Opposing Forces: Union Army vs Confederate Army
    • Commanders: Union General George G. Meade vs Confederate General Robert E. Lee
    • Casualties: Union: approximately 23,000 Confederate: approximately 28,000
  2. 2
    22
    votes
    The Battle of Waterloo
    Daily Alaska Dispatch newspaper · Public domain

    The Battle of Waterloo

    Napoleon Bonaparte
    The Battle of Waterloo was fought on June 18, 1815, and was a decisive victory for the British and their allies against the French. This battle marked the end of Napoleon's reign and is considered one of the most important battles in European history.
    Description
    The Battle of Waterloo was a historic battle that took place on June 18, 1815, near the town of Waterloo in present-day Belgium. It was fought between the French army, commanded by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, and a coalition of British, Dutch, and Prussian forces. The battle marked the final defeat of Napoleon and the end of his rule as Emperor of the French.
    • Date: June 18, 1815
    • Location: Waterloo, present-day Belgium
    • Combatants: France vs. British, Dutch, and Prussian forces
    • Commander-in-chief (France): Napoleon Bonaparte
    • Commander-in-chief (Coalition): Duke of Wellington, Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher
  3. 3
    25
    votes
    The Battle of Stalingrad was fought from August 1942 to February 1943 and was a major turning point in World War II. The Soviet victory at Stalingrad was a significant blow to the German war effort and is often considered one of the deadliest battles in history.
    Description
    The Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle fought during World War II between the Axis powers, primarily Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union. It took place in the city of Stalingrad, now Volgograd, in southwestern Russia, from August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943. The battle is considered one of the most significant and bloodiest battles in history, resulting in heavy casualties and immense destruction.
    • Duration: August 23, 1942, to February 2, 1943
    • Location: Stalingrad (now Volgograd), Russia
    • Parties Involved: Nazi Germany (Axis Powers) vs. Soviet Union
    • Casualties: Estimates range from 1.2 to 2 million total casualties
    • Importance: Considered a turning point in World War II, marked Soviet Union's first major victory over Germany
  4. 4
    13
    votes
    Also known as D-Day, the Battle of Normandy was fought from June to August 1944 and was a significant Allied victory in World War II. The invasion of Normandy marked the beginning of the end of the war in Europe.
    Description
    The Battle of Normandy was a significant military operation carried out during World War II. It took place from June 6 to August 25, 1944, with the aim of liberating German-occupied Western Europe and establishing a foothold for the Allied forces. The battle was fought in the region of Normandy, located on the northern coast of France, and involved land, sea, and air operations.
    • Duration: June 6 to August 25, 1944
    • Location: Normandy, France
    • Objective: Liberate Western Europe and establish Allied presence
    • Participants: Allied forces (primarily US, UK, and Canada) vs. German forces
    • Casualties: Approximately 226,386 total casualties (Allied and German combined)
  5. 5
    8
    votes
    The Battle of the Somme
    Ernest Brooks · Public domain

    The Battle of the Somme

    Traditional (Anonymous)
    The Battle of the Somme was fought from July to November 1916 and resulted in over one million casualties. It was one of the bloodiest battles in history and is often considered a turning point in World War I.
    Description
    The Battle of the Somme is a highly popular Bagpipe song that was composed to commemorate the famous World War I battle that took place between July 1 and November 18, 1916. The song captures the somber atmosphere and the emotions associated with the battle.
    • Composition year: Unknown
    • Genre: Bagpipe music
    • Length: Approximately 4 minutes
    • Key: D Major
    • Meter: 4/4
    The Battle of the Somme in other rankings
  6. 6
    18
    votes

    The Battle of Agincourt

    King Henry V of England
    The Battle of Agincourt was fought on October 25, 1415, and was a significant English victory in the Hundred Years' War. It is often remembered for the English longbowmen who played a key role in the battle.
    Description
    The Battle of Agincourt was a major battle that took place during the Hundred Years' War between France and England. It occurred on October 25, 1415, near the village of Agincourt in northern France.
    • Location: Near Agincourt, France
    • Date: October 25, 1415
    • War: Hundred Years' War
    • Combatants: England vs France
    • Result: Decisive English victory
  7. 7
    13
    votes
    The Battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC between the Greeks and the Persians. The Greek victory at Marathon is considered a significant moment in Western history and is often cited as an example of the power of Greek military tactics.
    Description
    The Battle of Marathon was a pivotal military confrontation that took place in 490 BC between the Persian Empire and the city-state of Athens, along with its allies. It was fought on the Marathon plain in Greece. The battle is renowned for its strategic significance as it halted the first Persian invasion of Greece.
    • Date: September 490 BC
    • Location: Marathon, Greece
    • Opposing forces: Persians (approx. 25,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry) vs. Athenians and Plataeans (approx. 10,000 infantry)
    • Outcome: Athenian victory
    • Casualties: Persians: estimated around 6,400; Athenians: 192
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    The Battle of Hastings was fought on October 14, 1066, and was a significant Norman victory in the Norman Conquest of England. The battle led to the crowning of William the Conqueror as King of England.
    Description
    The Battle of Hastings was a significant military conflict that took place on October 14, 1066, in England. It was fought between the Norman-French army led by William the Conqueror and the English army under King Harold II. This battle is considered a defining event in English history as it marked the beginning of Norman rule in England, resulting in profound political, social, and cultural changes in the following centuries.
    • Date: October 14, 1066
    • Location: Hastings, England
    • Opposing Parties: Norman-French army vs. English army
    • Commanders: William the Conqueror (Norman-French) vs. King Harold II (English)
    • Result: Victory for the Norman-French army, leading to the establishment of Norman rule in England
  9. 9
    8
    votes

    The Battle of Austerlitz

    Napoleon Bonaparte
    The Battle of Austerlitz was fought on December 2, 1805, between the French and the Austrians. The French victory at Austerlitz is often considered one of Napoleon's greatest triumphs and is a significant moment in European history.
    Description
    The Battle of Austerlitz was one of the most famous battles in European history that took place during the Napoleonic Wars. It occurred on December 2, 1805, near Austerlitz in the present-day Czech Republic. The battle was fought between the French army led by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the combined forces of the Austrian Empire and the Russian Empire. It is often considered Napoleon's greatest victory and marked a turning point in the warfare of the time.
    • Date: December 2, 1805
    • Location: Austerlitz, Czech Republic
    • Commander of French Army: Napoleon Bonaparte
    • Opposing Forces: Austrian Empire and Russian Empire
    • Casualties: French: ~9,000 killed or wounded; Austrian and Russian: ~25,000 killed or wounded
  10. 10
    0
    votes
    The Battle of Tours was fought on October 10, 732, between the Franks and the Muslim Moors. The Frankish victory at Tours is often considered a significant moment in European history and is credited with stopping the Muslim advance into Europe.
    Description
    The Battle of Tours, also known as the Battle of Poitiers, was a significant historical event that took place on October 10, 732. It was a decisive conflict between the Franks, led by Charles Martel, and the Umayyad Caliphate, led by Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. The battle occurred near the city of Tours, in present-day France.
    • Date: October 10, 732
    • Location: Near Tours, France
    • Conflict: Frankish-Andalusian battle
    • Result: Decisive Frankish victory
    • Commanders: Charles Martel, Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi

Missing your favorite battlefield?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular battlefield

  1. Historical significance
    The battlefield's role in shaping the course of history, its impact on nations involved, and the overall strategic importance should be considered.
  2. Size and scale
    The number of troops involved, the scale of the conflict, and the size of the battlefield itself should be taken into account.
  3. Duration
    The length of the battle, including how long it took place and how long the effects of the battle lasted, should be considered.
  4. Casualties
    The number of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured during the battle, as well as the resulting population displacement or civilian casualties, should be factored in.
  5. Tactics and technology
    The innovative use of tactics, strategies, weapons, and technology used during the battle can impact its popularity and significance.
  6. Outcome
    The result of the battle, including which side emerged victorious and the consequences for the overall conflict, should be taken into account.
  7. Cultural impact
    The battlefield's role in popular culture, including literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment, can also be considered.
  8. Preservation and accessibility
    The current state of the battlefield, including historical preservation efforts and the ability for visitors to access and learn about the site, can impact its popularity.
  9. Personal stories
    Stories of heroism, sacrifice, and struggle can help bring the battle to life and resonate with people on a personal level, making it more compelling and memorable.
  10. Educational value
    The battlefield's capacity to teach the public about military history, tactics, and the nature of war and conflict should be considered as well.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular battlefield. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or battlefield is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1235 views
  • 170 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each battlefield once every 24 hours. The rank of each battlefield is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular battlefield

The Battlefield franchise has been a mainstay in the gaming world for over a decade. With numerous installments released, each offering a unique gameplay experience, it's no wonder that the question of which is the most popular Battlefield is a hotly debated topic. From the iconic World War I setting of Battlefield 1 to the futuristic combat of Battlefield 2042, there's something for everyone in this beloved franchise. But what factors determine the popularity of a Battlefield game? Is it the setting, the gameplay mechanics, or the community? Let's dive in and explore what makes a Battlefield game a fan favorite.

Share this article