- fifthderelicte
- |
- Exalted Mythic Member
- gamertag: BJRSCJ
- user homepage:
I've got the book right in front of me:
SPOILER
MC's ship blasted away from reach once all hope was lost and the big MAC guns were destroyed. They did this at 0647 hrs August 30, 2552. Granted, the covenante destroyers hadn't technically glassed the planet, but the Spartans on the ground were nuking the place and the covenant ships would be there in seconds after moving from their ready positions through slipspace.
It's hard to tell exactly when the battle started, as you get a view from the Pillar of Autumn who is moving towards Reach (but is only 20 min. out at the start). But the Pillar started moving towards reach at 0519 on August 30, 2552.
So with the start time being what I propose and the end time being around 0647 hrs, I'd say it lasted about 90 minutes. I'm sure others know more about the books than I do, but I can't imagine the battle really taking too much longer, as the Covenant could glass a planet pretty quickly.
[EDIT] Seeing the post above, I guess my point is that it's hard to define. It all depends on what you consider to be the battle. I'd say once the majority of the planet is destroyed and there isn't significant resistance, it's over.
[Edited on 10.25.2009 7:06 PM PDT]