Battle of Balaclava (1854) Flashcards
What were three reasons for the outcome?
-Early Russian success in capturing Turkish-held redoubts and Causeway Heights.
-Landscape meant that Lord Lucan (commander of the Cavalry Division) could not see the Russian Don Battery as his view was obscured by hills, causing him to tell Cardigan’s Light Brigade to attack into the artillery fire
-Slow delivery of Lord Raglan’s messages to Lord Lucan due to lack of communication technology meant that his orders were received too late and could not be rectified in time, for example the Russian troops had already advanced so it was not wise for the Light Brigade to charge
What was the role of the leaders?
-The leaders were critical of one another which lead to disagreement in how and when to attack
-Lord Raglan’s messages were unclear and so Lord Lucan and Cardigan had to interpret them how they did, leading to defeat
