15.8 WOWS Channel Drop

The shortest war in recorded history was the Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896, between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate of Zanzibar. It lasted approximately 38 to 45 minutes. The conflict began after the sultan died and his cousin seized the throne without British approval, prompting the British to issue an ultimatum. When it expired, the Royal Navy began shelling the sultan's palace, and the fighting was over before it really started, making it the shortest war on record.