The Anglo-Zanzibar War was a one-sided affair.
In the time it takes to play a game of NBA basketball, the United Kingdom won the Anglo-Zanzibar War in about 40 minutes on August 27 1896.
The shortest war in history kicked off when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died and was replaced by Sultan Khalid bin Barghash, who ignored the requirement that he gain approval to lead from the British consul. Khalid may have been motivated by the fact the British preferred Hamud bin Muhammed, who was sympathetic to British interests.
Unsurprisingly, the British requested Khalid leave the Sultan’s palace by 9am August 27. Unsurprisingly, Khalid refused to leave, and surrounded himself with his palace guard, sympathetic civilians, artillery and machine guns.
Two minutes after the deadline, the Royal Navy bombarded the palace with naval gunfire. Fire broke out in the palace and the artillery was neutralised. The British also sank a Zanzibari royal yacht and two smaller vessels.
By 940am the British attack ceased and the Sultan’s flag was taken down. Approximately 500 Zanzibaris were killed or wounded during the bombardment. The British only had one man wounded.
Hamud bin Muhammed was installed as Sultan in the afternoon. With German assistance, Khalid escaped to Dar es Salaam in German East Africa.
Short answer: The Anglo-Zanzibar War is regarded as the shortest war in recorded history. Because of confusion over what constitutes the start and end of a war, sources cite a duration of between 38 and 45 minutes. The British response was so overwhelming that no further attempts were made to overthrow the African puppet monarchy.
