The Battle of Karansebes: When an Army Defeated Itself

Ever wonder how an entire army ends up shooting at its own ranks?

This bizarre fiasco began on a night in 1788, when Austrian scouts clashed over stolen alcohol.

Fueled by paranoia and drunken squabbles, confusion spread like wildfire.

Before long, friendly fire turned into a chaotic stampede, setting the stage for an almost unbelievable tragedy.

Amid the darkness, a rumor spread that Ottoman forces were attacking.

Panicked soldiers fired blindly, while cavalry charged in disarray.

Nobody knew friend from foe, and frantic orders only fueled the madness.

Desperate to retreat, troops trampled one another, losing discipline entirely.

The real enemy never appeared, but the damage was already done.

Historians say the calamity started with a simple argument over schnapps between scouts.

In that moment, poor leadership and worse communication turned a minor quarrel into full-blown mayhem.

Reports suggest cannons were even fired at phantom threats.

By dawn, hundreds lay dead or injured, none having faced an actual Ottoman soldier on that chaotic night.