Battle of Balaclava
Part of the Crimean War
Army camp at Balaklava
Date 25 October 1854 Location Kadikoi, near Balaklava Result Indecisive
Belligerents
United Kingdom French Empire Ottoman Empire	Russian Empire
Commanders
Lord Raglan, François Certain Canrobert	Pavel Liprandi
Strength
Approx. 20,000	Approx. 23,000
Casualties and losses
350 British, 250 French	1,000 Killed or Wounded

The Battle of Balaclava, fought on 25 October 1854, was a key battle during the Crimean War, fought between the allied forces of the United Kingdom, French Empire and the Ottoman Empire on one side and Russia on the other. It was the first of two attempts by the Russians to break the Siege of Sevastopol. The battle was fought in Kadikoi, in Crimea (now in Ukraine then part of the Russian Empire). Combatants Allies: Second French Empire British Empire Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,194 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease ~134,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought... Image:Balaklava-camp. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Battle of Balaclava. ... Balaklava (Ukrainian: , Russian: , Crimean Tatar: ) is a town in the Crimea, Ukraine which has an official status of a district of the city of Sevastopol. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Map of the French Second Empire Capital Paris Language(s) French Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1852-1870 Napoleon III Legislature Parliament  - Upper house Senate  - Lower house Corps législatif History  - French coup of 1851 December 2 1851  - Established 1852  - Disestablished September 4, 1870 Currency French Franc The Second French Empire or... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... The Right Honourable Field Marshal FitzRoy James Henry Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan (September 30, 1788–June 28, 1855), known before 1852 as Lord FitzRoy Somerset, was a British soldier. ... François Certain Canrobert (June 27, 1809 - January 28, 1895), was a marshal of France. ... Combatants Allies: Second French Empire British Empire Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,194 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease ~134,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought... The naval Battle of Sinope (or Sinop) occurred on 30 November 1853 at Sinop, a sea port in northern Turkey, when Imperial Russian battleships annihiliated a force of Ottoman Empire frigates. ... Combatants Turkey Russia Strength 40,000[3] 18,000[3] Casualties 3500[4] 3000[4] The Battle of Kurekdere occurred when the Turkish army of kars marched towards Gyumri to attack the Russian force, already weakened with detachments, the battle was related with great spirit and the defeat of the... The Siege of Petropavlovsk was the main operation on the Pacific Theatre of the Crimean War. ... Combatants French Empire United Kingdom Ottoman Empire Russian Empire Commanders Jacques St. ... Combatants Great Britain France Russia Commanders General François Canrobert (later replaced by General Pélissier) Lord Raglen Admiral Kornilov (later replaced by Admiral Pavel Nakhimov) Lt. ... Combatants United Kingdom France Russia Commanders General Pierre Bosquet Lord Raglan General Aleksandr Menshikov Strength British: 8,500 and 38 guns French: 7,500 and 18 guns 31,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry 110 guns est. ... The Storm of Eupatoria was the most important military engagement of the Crimean War during the winter of 1855. ... In the spring of 1855, British-French coalition decided to occupy the Kerch Strait and seaport on Azov Sea, undermining Russian communications and food/military supplies to Russian troops in Crimea. ... The Battle of Chernaya River (Battle of Tchernaïa, Сражение у Черной речки, Сражение у реки Черной) was a battle fought during the Crimean War on August 16, 1855 between Russia and a coalition of French and Piedmontese troops. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Battle of Malakoff was fought on September 7, 1855 and resulted in a French victory under General MacMahon against the Russians. ... The Battle of Kinburn was a naval engagement during the final stage of the Crimean War. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Combatants Allies: Second French Empire British Empire Ottoman Empire Kingdom of Sardinia Russian Empire Bulgarian volunteers Casualties 90,000 French 35,000 Turkish 17,500 British 2,194 Sardinian killed, wounded and died of disease ~134,000 killed, wounded and died of disease The Crimean War (1853–1856) was fought... Map of the French Second Empire Capital Paris Language(s) French Government Monarchy Emperor  - 1852-1870 Napoleon III Legislature Parliament  - Upper house Senate  - Lower house Corps législatif History  - French coup of 1851 December 2 1851  - Established 1852  - Disestablished September 4, 1870 Currency French Franc The Second French Empire or... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1683, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–1365) Edirne (1365–1453) Ä°stanbul (1453–1922) Government Monarchy Sultans  - 1281–1326 (first) Osman I  - 1918–22 (last) Mehmed VI Grand Viziers  - 1320... Combatants Great Britain France Russia Commanders General François Canrobert (later replaced by General Pélissier) Lord Raglen Admiral Kornilov (later replaced by Admiral Pavel Nakhimov) Lt. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Battle of Balaclava. ... Motto: ÐŸÑ€Ð¾Ñ†Ð²ÐµÑ‚ание в единстве(Russian) Protsvetanie v edinstve(transliteration) Prosperity in unity Anthem: ÐÐ¸Ð²Ñ‹ и горы твои волшебны, Родина(Russian) Nivy i gory tvoi volshebny, Rodina(transliteration) Your fields and mounts are wonderful, Motherland Location of Crimea (red) with respect to Ukraine (light blue). ...

Battlefield and troop dispositions

The hilly battlefield consisted of two valleys oriented in an east-to-west direction, divided by low hills and ridges, with the terrain consisting of open grassland. The British force was divided between the two valleys. The southern plain (approximate coordinates 44°31′34″N, 33°36′23″E) was held by the British cavalry's Heavy Brigade (the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Scots Greys). The Light Brigade, consisting of the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars, under the command of Major-General the Earl of Cardigan, was positioned in the northern valley (approximate coordinates 44°32′49″N, 33°37′12″E). The overall command of the British cavalry was exercised by the Earl of Lucan. A French force, including the cavalry the Chasseurs d'Afrique was also present in a reserve position. The Russian force was significantly larger than that of the allies, but was hampered by poor discipline, poor leadership, and inferior weapons. Not all the Russian infantry that was present participated in the battle. The Royal Dragoon Guards is an armoured regiment of the British Army. ... The Scots Greys was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1678 until 1971, when they amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Waless Dragoon Guards) to form The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). ... 13th Light Dragoon’s Cap Badge 1801 The 13th Light Dragoons (later renamed The 13th Hussars) were a cavalry regiment of the British Army whose battle honours include Waterloo and The Charge of the Light Brigade. ... Official name The 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridges Own) Colonel-in-Chief Duke of Cambridge Colonel-of-the-Regiment Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig Motto Or Glory Nicknames Binghams Dandies The Death or Glory Boys The Horse Marines The Tots The White Lancers Anniversaries Balaklava (20... The 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars was a cavalry regiment in the British Army, first raised in 1693. ... The 11th Hussars (Prince Alberts Own) was a British Army cavalry regiment. ... Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant-General James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan KCB (October 16, 1797 – March 28, 1868) commanded the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. ... George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan (April 16, 1800 - November 10, 1888) was a British soldier, remembered for his part in the Crimean War. ... The Chasseurs dAfrique (Hunters of Africa) were a light cavalry corps in the French Armée dAfrique (Army of Africa). ...

Lieutenant-General the Lord Raglan commanded the British Army and General François Certain Canrobert commanded the French Army. Prince Aleksandr Sergeyevich Menshikov commanded the Russian Army, while the Russian assault on Balaclava was commanded by General Pavel Liprandi, Menshikov's second in command. Field Marshal Lord Raglan during the Crimean War, portrait by Roger Fenton, ca. ... François Certain Canrobert (June 27, 1809 - January 28, 1895), was a marshal of France. ... Prince Aleksandr Sergeyevich Menshikov (Александр Сергеевич Меншиков in Russian)(August 26, 1787 — May 1, 1869, all n. ...

Opening of the battle

The battle started with a successful Russian attack on Ottoman positions. This led to the Russians breaking through into the valley of Balaklava (anglicised as "Balaclava"), where British forces were encamped. The port of Balaklava, a short distance to the south, was the site of a key British supply base. The Russian advance was intended to disrupt the British base and attack British positions near Sevastopol from the rear. Balaklava (Ukrainian: , Russian: , Crimean Tatar: ) is a town in the Crimea, Ukraine which has an official status of a district of the city of Sevastopol. ... Location Map of Ukraine with Sevastopol highlighted. ...

An initial Russian advance south of the southern line of hills was repulsed by the British. A large attacking force of Russian cavalry advanced over the ridgeline, and split into two portions. One of these columns drove south towards the town of Balaklava itself, threatening the main supply of the entire British army. That drive was repulsed by the muskets of the 93rd (Highland) Regiment, which had been formed into a lone line of two rows by its commander, Sir Colin Campbell. This action became known in history as "The Thin Red Line". The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division. ... Colin Campbell with William Mansfield, 1st Viscount Sandhurst Field Marshal Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde, GCB, KCSI (October 20, 1792–August 24, 1863) was a Scottish soldier. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Battle of Balaclava. ...

Charges of the Heavy and Light Brigades

Main article: Charge of the Heavy Brigade

Main article: Charge of the Light Brigade

The second column of Russian cavalry was then met by the British Heavy Brigade, in an uphill charge that defied conventional military logic. This action by the British cavalry forced the Russians to retreat to their artillery, which was strategically positioned along the ridges above the valley. At this point, Raglan ordered the Light Brigade to "prevent the enemy carrying away the guns", in a written order delivered by Captain Nolan. Though the following events are somewhat unclear, it is generally accepted that Nolan was aware that Lord Raglan had intended for the Light Brigade to charge the captured British guns that were being carried off the redoubt by the Russians. According to contemporary accounts,^{[citation needed]} Nolan delivered the written order in haste while verbally indicating to Lord Cardigan that he should direct an assault upon Russian gun battery that was down the valley. This action resulted in what would come to be known as the Charge of the Light Brigade. After its initial charge was repulsed, the Light Brigade was saved from further casualties by a supporting attack from the French 4th Chasseurs d'Afrique. Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Charge of the Heavy Brigade The rather more successful action of the Heavy Brigade that happened on the same day as the Charge of the Light Brigade (October 25, 1854) was also commemorated by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in The Charge of... For the poem about the charge, see The Charge of the Light Brigade (poem). ... Louis Edward Nolan (1818–1854), British Army officer. ... Lieutenant-General James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan KCB (October 16, 1797 – March 28, 1868) commanded the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. ... For the poem about the charge, see The Charge of the Light Brigade (poem). ... The Chasseurs dAfrique (Hunters of Africa) were a light cavalry corps in the French Armée dAfrique (Army of Africa). ...

Aftermath

The battle ended inconclusively, with both sides retaining their starting positions. Aleksandr Sergeyevich Menshikov, the Russian commander, later claimed success, saying the attack was only a probe to gauge allied defense. The British suffered a total of 360 casualties, with Russian casualties unknown, but estimated at several hundred.^{[citation needed]}

The name of the battle Balaclava was transferred to the knitted woolen headgear, the balaclava. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Numerous poems have been written about the Light Brigade, the most renowned being The Charge of The Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

After the battle, the 93rd Regiment of Foot became the first Highland Regiment to be allowed the use of a Regimental Piper. This first instance of bagpipers being used for regimental use (officially, there are also accounts of bagpipers being at Waterloo (1815), etc.) eventually led to the use of Pipe Bands today. The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, winner of 4 World Pipe Band Championships in the past decade, in competition at the 2005 Bellingham Highland Games A pipe band is a musical ensemble consisting of pipers and drummers. ...

See also

Military history of the Ottoman Empire Portal

• Charge of the Light Brigade
• Order of Battle at the Balaclava campaign
• Canon William Lummis Historian of the Light Brigade
• Edward James Boys Historian of the Light Brigade

Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 502 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (858 × 1024 pixel, file size: 503 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Artillery troop image on the Ottoman coat of arms From: http://www. ... For the poem about the charge, see The Charge of the Light Brigade (poem). ... This is the complete order of battle of opposing forces at the Battle of Balaclava. ... Canon William Lummis, MC, is notable for building-up an archive on the final resting places of Victoria Cross holders. ... E J Boys Edward James Boys (E J Boys) (1916–2002) was a leading authority on the men of the cavalry regiments of the British Army who took part in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade of 1854 during the Crimean War of 1854-56 between the UK and...

References

• Sweetman, John. Balaclava 1854. London: Osprey Publishing, 1990. ISBN 0-85045-961-3