Experience of Warfare: Crimea Flashcards
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What was the date of the Battle of Alma?
20th September 1854
What was the date of the Charge of the Light Brigade (during the Battle of Balaclava)?
25th October 1854
In what year was there a particularly difficult winter?
1855 (January to March)
When did the Crimean war end?
1856
What caused the Crimean war?
Power/territory
- The Russian empire had doubled in size and was perceived to be threatening British interests in India (their army was closer to Delhi than to St. Petersburg)
- The prospect of Russian control over the Eastern Mediterranean would threaten their short overland route to India.
- Russia wanted to move in and carve up the Ottoman Empire - which would give them control over the exit from the Black Sea.
Religion
- Disputes over the control of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (within the Ottoman Empire)
- The position of Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire.
What were the final steps leading to the war?
- Prince Menshikov (Russian) sent to negotiate position of Orthodox Christians.
- Revolt in Christian Montenegro - Menshikov adds removal of Turks to his demands.
- Leaves in May 1853 - rejected.
To “encourage” - Russia threatens to occupy neighhbouring Moldavia and Wallachia. - Britain and France intervene, sending war ships to the Dardanelles.
- 5th October 1853 - Sultan declares war.
Who were the important media people in this conflict?
Roger Fenton - photographer
William Russell - journalist
What happened at the Battle of Alma?
- Allies marching towards Sebastapol (Naval base).
- Russians take up positions above River Alma.
- St Arnaud (French commander) discussed strategy with Lord Raglan. BUT Raglan tells divisional commanders nothing of French plans, has none of his own, and had done no proper reconnaissance.
- French followed their plan, British had none. Won - Russians forced to flee.
Why did the Battle of Balaclava happen?
Russia determined to break the Allies’ siege of Sebastapol - advanced on British supply base at port of Balaclava.
What was the The Thin Red Line?
- Same day as the Charge of the Light Brigade.
- Russian cavalry halted by 93rd Highland Regiment.
- Didn’t use traditional square formation - inside formed a long line, two deep.
- Halted the Russians, leaving them to be routed by Lucan’s Heavy Brigade.
What was the Charge of the Light Brigade?
- Lord Raglan issues unclear order to Lord Lucan, wanting him to focus on retaking British guns that the Russians had taken on Causeway Heights.
- Captain Nolan, delivering the message, gets it wrong.
- Lucan sends Light Brigade down a valley surrounded by Russian forces attacking them from higher ground.
- Of 661 - 113 killed, 134 wounded, 45 taken prisoner. Saved by French charge.
Who was Lord Raglan?
Commander in Chief of the British Army during the Crimean war - died in the Crimea June 1855.
Who was the Earl of Lucan (Lord Lucan)?
Commander of the Cavalry Division (included Heavy Brigade and Light Brigade).
Who was the Earl of Cardigan (Lord Cardigan)?
Commander of the Light Brigade.
What was the role of William Russell?
- First professional journalist to cover a war, with “The Times”.
- Frank reports on conditions and incompetence swayed much public opinion against the war.
- Following reports on the problems of medical supplies The times sets up a “Crimea fund” in October 1854, which raises over £7000.
- BUT violently anti-Turk and anti-French, Can’t have witnessed all of the events he writes about, and sources are unknown. Absent during most of the winter of 1854-5, and left in 1855. After November 1854 was part of a deliberate “Times” campaign to undermine Lord Raglan.
What was the role of Roger Fenton?
- Photographer, sent by commercial firm Thomas Agnews and Co.
- Limitations - couldn’t photograph dead bodies, no moving images. Many were staged.
What was the impact of Fenton and Russell?
- Engaged the public with the soldiers to an unprecedented extent.
- Russell’s reports and The Times’ campaign created pressure to reform the officer class and the organisation of the army.
- The Times’ campaign created a political crisis in December 1854 - January 1855. A two-thirds Parliamentary majority voted to investigate the army and government departments in charge; PM Lord Aberdeen resigns and is replaced by Lord Palmerston.
How did the winter of 1854-55 affect the troops?
- No shelter - men and horses
- Supplies sent out, including munitions and winter clothing, not allowed into Balaclava harbour by harbour master Captain Christie - many ships sank.
- Horses starved - Lord Cardigan refused to allow them to be shot (meanwhile staying on his yacht!).
What medical services were available in the Crimea?
- Staff of six under Dr Andrew Smith, created in February 1853 - had to create a war-ready department from scratch.
- Army pensioners used as stretcher-bearers etc - disastrous.
- Lord Raglan - limited number of medical assistants and believed soldiers more important (c. 4/100 men).
- Doctors recruited on volunteer basis.
- Chaotic distribution of supplies e.g. unloaded for troops.
Where were hospitals established?
- Base hospital at Scutari.
- In Crimea, General Hospital, Castle Hospital, hospital at Karani and convalescent hospital at St. George Monastery.
What treatments were available?
- Amputation
- Anaesthesia (Chloroform) - not used much
- As at home, huge risk of infection.
Of the 18,058 British casualties suffered, how many were killed by enemy action?
Only 1,761 - remaining 16,297 killed by disease (most) and infection.
Who are the two key medical figures?
Florence Nightingale - base hospital at Scutari
Mary Seacole - the British Hotel in the Crimea
What treaty ended the Crimean war?
The Peace of Paris, March 1856.
What were the terms of the Peace of Paris?
- Russia kept Sebastapol, Balaclava and all areas held by allies.
- Black Sea neutralised.
- River Danube made an international waterway.
- Ottoman control over Danubian provinces enforced in a new state called Romania.
- Sultan declared he would improve the conditions of all Christians within the Ottoman Empire.
How did the Crimean war impact on the development of nursing as a profession?
- The Nightingale Fund to improve the standard of female nursing (but - limitations of Florence’s involvement); St Thomas’ Hospital established training school for ten nurses in 1860.
- Nursing established as respectable profession for females.
- Nightingale’s “Notes on Nursing” (pub. 1860) widely read and translated.
What was the McNeill-Tulloch Report?
- Feb 1855 - Sir John McNeill and Colonel Alexander Tulloch sent out to investigate.
- Two instructions - how supplies obtained and sent (public), how unpacked and distributed (private, as involved the army’s role).
- Report causes furore - civilian mismanagement and military negligence.
What were the Cardwell Army Reforms, 1870-71?
- Military departments combined into one War Office.
- Country divided into regimental districts - two battalions (one overseas, one at home training).
- Overseas service cut from 12 years to 6.
- Purchase of commissions abolished - meritocracy.
- Commander in Chief answerable to Secretary of State, and on to Parliament.
- Peacetime flogging abolished.
- Reserves created.
How successful were the Cardwell Army Reforms?
- Huge resistance from entrenched interests.
- No General Staff appointed to forward plan.
- Breech-loading Martini Henry rifle adopted for infantry, but breech-loading artillery rejected.
- Inadequate reserves - 35,000, compared to Prussia’s 1 million.
What was the Victoria Cross?
- First bravery award for all ranks.
- Highest award for conspicuous courage.
