History Main / SuicideMission

** Any number of battles during WorldWarOne were similar to Cold Harbor in this respect, with men going over the top with little or no expectation of survival.

-->'''Cohn:''' "Think they've got a chance?"
-->'''Jensen:''' "Frankly, no. Not a chance in the world. I'll be surprised if they get halfway to Navarone. It's just a waste of six good men."
--->-- ''TheGunsOfNavarone''

To be clear, a SuicideMission is NOT (always) UnwinnableByDesign. There are times when an important task must be attempted without regard for [[TheEndJustifyTheMeans the safety of those undertaking it]]. A goal must be accomplished, even if the entire team has to die to do it. A general that doesn't fall into the above categories will often be humanized by asking the Commander of the mission rather than ordering.

To be clear, a SuicideMission is NOT (always) UnwinnableByDesign. There are times when an important task must be attempted without regard for [[TheEndsJustifyTheMeans the safety of those undertaking it]]. A goal must be accomplished, even if the entire team has to die to do it. A general that doesn't fall into the above categories will often be humanized by asking the Commander of the mission rather than ordering.

There are numerous reasons for a Suicide Mission to be ordered. Perhaps the situation is [[DarkestHour truly dire]], [[LastStand the line must be held]], and the advancing enemy [[YouShallNotPass must be stopped]]. Alternately, GeneralRipper may believe [[WeHaveReserves it's an acceptable tactic]], or ColonelKilgore sets one up to [[TheUriahGambit eliminate a nuisance]].

Might result in a BolivianArmyEnding.

* Played for laughs in ''[[LifeOfBrian Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'': the "crack suicide squad" shows up at the crucifixion, apparently to rescue Brian. Their leader cries "Attack!", whereupon all of the members stab themselves and die at Brian's feet.

* One occurs at the end of ''ModernWarfare 2''

* In ''{{Digger}}'', the statue of Ganesh sends Digger and Ed underground to deal with an undead god. He doesn't expect either of them to survive the task.

* This is a reoccuring idea in ''SinCity'' where almost every mission is said to be one in which the hero could easily be killed. Considering the AnyoneCanDie structure of the narrative, it isn't far-fetched to believe that they really will meet their end.

The members of the mission will usually be [[RedShirt expendables,]] [[BoxedCrook criminals,]] {{Death Seeker}}s, or [[HeroicSacrifice selfless heroes for the greater good.]] Expect AnyoneCanDie to be invoked throughout the mission, and SoleSurvivor for anyone who manages to survive. If the characters repeatedly survive these missions, they might be SurprisinglyEliteCannonFodder.

* Occurs in ''MassEffect2'' with the final plot mission, which is named "Suicide Mission".

** ...except that they also do it to anyone [[YouHaveFailedMe too weak to be useful]], [[RebelliousSpirit too rebellious to be controllable]], or [[TheMasquerade too suspicious to be kept in the dark]].

* In ''{{Claymore}}'', the organization in charge of Claymores sends them on suicide missions whenever they become too dangerous. Possibly justified to avoid {{Super Power Meltdown}}s.

* The middle part of ''Dr. Strangelove'', right before Slim Pickins [[RidingTheBomb rides the bomb]] to oblivion!

* The middle part of ''Dr. Strangelove'', right before Slim Pickins rides the bomb to oblivion!

The members of the mission will usually be [[RedShirt expendables,]] [[BoxedCrook criminals,]] {{Death Seeker}}s, or [[HeroicSacrifice selfless heroes for the greater good.]] Expect AnyoneCanDie to be invoked throughout the mission, and SoleSurvivor for anyone who manages to survive. Might result in a BolivianArmyEnding.

* ''[[BattlefieldSeries Battlefield: Bad Company]]'' centers around B Company, an army company where the most troublesome members of the Army are sent in the hopes that they get killed in their assigned suicide missions.

* The shuttle crew sent to stop the asteroid in ''DeepImpact''.

* The attempt to destroy ''TheGunsOfNavarone''.