Crimean War 1854-56

Question 1

What problems did the army face when they first arrived in the Crimea

Answer 1

. Very cold weather during winter
. British army did not have enough winter supplies, particularly warm clothing and accommodation
. Soldiers sent to the Crimea had summer clothes and lightweight tents
. Poor roads meant supplies did not always reach soldiers further inland
. Army failed to organise enough forage for transport animals
. Prince ship sank carrying lots of winter supplies as a result of a storm in November 1854

Question 2

What issues were their with the Commissariat

Answer 2

. Responsible for providing rations and fuel for the army
. Reported to the treasury in London who were more concerned with costs than anything else
. Different organisations meant that the army was badly supplied and no-one took responsibility for improving supply problems

Question 3

What medical care issues were their

Answer 3

. Thousands of soldiers became very ill from a range of diseases such as cholera,typhus,frostbite and dysentery
. Medical care and particular surgery was poor in the 1850s
. More common for a soldier to die of illness than on the battlefield
. 18058 soldiers died in the Crimea, only 1761 died on the battlefield