This war broke out on August 27, 1896 in the city of Zanzibar. It started at 9:02 in the morning and ended at 9:40. That is, it lasted only 38 minutes.
The contending powers were Great Britain against Zanzibar.
The cause of the war was the sudden death of the pro-British Sultan and his succession by his nephew. It is assumed that the second one killed him.
Great Britain did not accept this succession since the protocol required that the new successor be appointed by Great Britain.
First a letter was sent demanding the new Sultan to leave. After he refused, 5 British ships sailed into the area and bombarded the city palace.
The toll was 500 dead supporting the new Sultan and one British soldier wounded.
The deposed Sultan with his officials found asylum in the German Embassy and then fled.
[Source: el.wikipedia.org]
