How prepared was the British Army to fight in the Crimea? (Battles and Seiges) Flashcards
(40 cards)
When was the Battle of the Alma?
20th September 1854
Who led the British Army Expedition at the Battle of the Alma?
Lord Raglan
What did the British Army Expedition land at Varna to do and when?
June 1854 to construct a base before they moved on to the Crimea
Why did the British and French decide to attack the Russians in the Crimea?
They hoped the bulk of Russian forces were west in the Balkans and Anatolia so they could take Sevastopol naval bases quickly
When did the allied armies land unopposed at Eupatoria and what did they do?
14th September 1854, to establish a base and push south towards Sevastopol
Who was the Russian Army under at Alma?
Prince Aleksandr Menshikov
Who was the French Army under at Alma?
Saint-Arnaud
How did the allied forces meet the Russian army at Alma?
Defending high ground south of the river
What advantages did the Allies have over the Russian army?
They outnumbered the Russians and had naval gunfire support
Why were the allies confused at the Battle of Alma?
First French attacked then Britain with little coordination. Unsure of what the French were doing, Raglan ordered infantry to lie down to minimise casualties
What was the British objective towards the Russians at Alma?
Earthwork called the great redoubt where menshikov placed artillery
Earthwork
Defensive position, a barrier of soil supported by wood and with trenches, āredoubtsā or ābastionsā
What happened after the Great Redoubt during the Battle of Alma?
British infantry advanced, Russians removed guns and retreated. Light division took redoubt and lost to Russian counter-attack, Guards division regained it.
What forced Russians to withdraw after the Great Redoubt?
A final push by the Highland Brigade
After the Russians withdrew due to the Highland Brigade, what did Raglan not do?
He didnāt pursue them with cavalry to drive home the advantage
What shortcomings did the Alma reveal in allied leadership and organisation?
At times British mistook French for Russians. Confusion amid smoke from guns, Bugle-calls and officers contradicting each other. Didnāt know how deep the river was
What did Raglan intend to happen after the Battle of Alma? Why didnāt this happen?
To attack Sevastopol, but the French and Burgoyne disagreed and they prepared a siege. Making base at Balaklava
When was the Battle of Balaklava?
25th October 1854
What did the Allies caution allow Menshikov to do before Balaklava?
To move the Russian army to occupy the Causeway heights overlooking Balaklava
Why did the allies recall troops from the Siege before Balaklava?
Fearing the Russian threat to the harbour and the road to Sevastopol
What three famous actions in British military history did Balaklava give rise to?
The stand of the 93rd Foot, The cavalry charges of the Heavy and Light Brigade
Where did Sir Colin Campbell deploy his cavalry and where did he move them at the start of the 93rd Foot?
On the reverse slope of a hill (out of artillery fire), moving them to the hilltop lining up in two ranks after seeing Russian cavalry
What did General Sir Colin Campbellās movement of his cavalry encourage the Russians to do?
To charge since it was usual for infantry facing cavalry to form squares
What happened in the duration of the Stand of the 93rd Foot?
500 Highlanders stood their ground against superior numbers, MiniĆ© rifles inflicted heavy casualties on Russians and they could not break the āthin white lineā
