After two months of reinforcement and replacements,. the Russians were ready to attack the siege lines. The Allies had made this difficult by fortifying the heights of the Tchernya River (that were unoccupied at this time historically). It did leave their lines extended, but was telling the their victory in this battle. At stake was the survival of the British army - if the Russians controlled road to Balaklava, most of the British army would be out of supply. (The Russian dared not go into Balaklava because of the British fleet's devastating fire-power, but they did not need to - they just needed to have the road in artillery range.) The Russians attacked with three divisions of infantry and two of cavalry.
The opening fire was very inauspicious for the Russians - a right fiasco. The river attack was driven off and the rest ineffective.
The Allies responded by moving up their troops and with the Charge of the Light Brigade- the 8-8 in the middle of the photo, also the "Counter of the Week". (Same valley as the historical charge, but much more effective! They attacked two regiments of the Russian 10th infantry and drove them off, although with losses.)
The second Russian fire phase drove off the Turkish defenders to the south, while the British 4th division drove off the remainder of the Russian attackers.
The Russians advanced to the edge of the Balaklava road - all they needed. The French and English counter-attacked. The French second Cavalry brigade charged the Russian left flank.
The next fire phase saw massive casualties on both sides. The Allied morale held, and the Russians retreated except the 12th division, which drove back the Cavalry screen. As you can see, the number of demoralised Russians grows. This is their biggest problem: they cannot sustain an attack for long as losses generally demoralise their troops.
The Russians were driven back in the south with heavy losses, but advanced again in the north. Given the river was secure, the British fourth division came down from the hill and hit the Russian right flank.
The next fire phase again saw heavy casualties with most of the Light infantry division destroyed along with several Russian regiments. Both sides were just abut finished, but the Russians still held the crossroads. The Allied had the French 2eme division coming up fresh.
The French attack turned the tide, supported by the British Heavy Brigade (cavalry) drove off the Russians. Most of their forces were disrupted, but they launch one last attempt at victory
The 61 Don Cossacks charged the fourth division causing casualties. However, the Russian soldiery had had enough, and almost all the remaining foot soldiers broke.
The Russians withdrew towards their supply lines, and the British Army was saved. However, the cost was for the Allies three divisions of infantry and two of cavalry, and the Russians two divisions of infantry and one of cavalry.
The Allies have a choice, try an attack on Sevastopol with their weakened forces while the Russians are retreating, or try a hard counter-attack on the Russians to destroy their army. Whatever they choose, Winter is Coming! (Winter will put most of their units out of supply with attrition taking a toll. Historically, this is what nearly destroyed their army.)
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