Crimean War Battles

Question 1

Battle of the Alma Statistics?

Answer 1

20th September 1854
British/French Commander - Lord Raglan and Marshal St Arnaud.
Allied Strength - 58’000 soldiers.
Allied Losses - 4’100 casualties.

Russian Commander - Prince Menshikov.
Russian Strength - 37’500 soldiers.
Russian Losses - 5’000 casualties.

Question 2

Battle of the Alma - Depth?

Answer 2

• Prince Menshikov rushed here as it was the last natural defensive line before Sevastopol.
• Initial British attack fails as the lines become disorganised, a subsequent Russian bayonet charge pushes them back.
• Russian forces are forced back to their redoubts in second attack.
• 93rd Highlanders under Colin Campbell perform exceptionally well and are able to start a Russian retreat.
• Raglan does not deploy his cavalry to pursue retreating Russians which in turn allows the Russians to regroup later and prevents a rout.

Question 3

Battle of Balaclava Statistics?

Answer 3

25th October 1854
British/French Commander - Lord Raglan and Marshal Canrobert.
British Strength - 20’000 soldiers and 41 guns.
French Strength - 7’000 soldiers.
Allied losses - 615 casualties.

Russian Commander - Prince Menshikov.
Russian Strength - 25’000 soldiers and 78 guns.
Russian losses - 627 casualties.

Question 4

Battle of Balaclava - Depth?

Answer 4

• Russian cavalry attempts to attack 93rd Highlanders under Colin Campbell, no time to form square so they remain in line formation. They are using Minie rifles which allows for more accurate firing, rounds fired at 600, 300 and 150 yards. Thin Red Line.
• Raglan counters the Russian cavalry by deploying his heavy cavalry, charge of Scarlet’s 300, despite being heavily outnumbered they force the Russian cavalry back.
• Raglan wanted to prevent the Russian forces from capturing Ottoman guns as it would have been an embarrassment however, there was confusion and Nolan told Lucan to attack the guns and gave a very vague direction as to where.
• Cardigan led the charge of the Light brigade and Nolan also took part, Nolan died almost immediately as the cavalry charged into a valley surrounded by Russian guns. The British cavalry reached the Russian guns but were forced back by a Russian cavalry charge. 670 soldiers took part, 110 killed, 161 wounded.

Question 5

Battle of Inkerman statistics?

Answer 5

5th November 1854
British/French Commander - Lord Raglan and Marshal Canrobert.
Allied Strength - 15’700 soldiers.
Allied Losses - 4’400 casualties.

Russian Commander - Prince Menshikov.
Russian Strength - 40’500 soldiers.
Russian Losses - 12’000 casualties.

Question 6

Battle of Inkerman - Depth?

Answer 6

• The Russian carried out a surprise attack in order to relieve Sevastopol, extremely foggy at time of attack which led to chaos.
• The Russian forces initially perform well using the element of surprise.
• Extremely close quarter combat due to fog and the Coldstream guards perform incredibly well.
• This battle took place much closer to the French bases, this meant that the French played a key role in the battle and helped alleviate the situation.

Question 7

Siege of Sevastopol statistics?

Answer 7

17th October 1854 - 11th September 1855
British/French Commander - Lord Raglan up until his death and Marshal Pelissier.
Allied Strength - 175’000 soldiers by July 1855.
British losses - 2’750 killed in action, 2’000 died of wounds and 16’300 died of disease.
French losses - 10’200 killed in action, 20’000 died of wounds, 50’000 died of disease.

Russian Commander - Prince Menshikov.
Russian Strength - 53’000 soldiers at its peak.
Russian Losses - 102’000 casualties.

Question 8

Siege of Sevastopol - Depth?

Answer 8

• Russians deploy boom and chains into the entrance of the bay which prevents British Ships from accessing the area in turn making naval attack more difficult.
• Early example of Trench Warfare.
• In June 1855 French forces successfully take Mamelon but it will still be months for further gains to be made.
• 8th September 1855 Final assault on Sevastopol begins, 60’000 soldiers take part, initial British assault on the Great Redan fails but attacks on Malakof and Little Redan Succeed, artillery fire from Malakof in turn helps at the Great Redan.
• On the 9th of September Russian forces finally collapse and withdraw from the South of the city.