September 20 - The Battle of the Alma

This Day in History: 20 September 2020

 

20 September 1854

 

166 years ago, today, the Battle of the Alma was fought during the Crimean War, between an allied group of French, British and Egyptian forces and defending Russian forces. Almost a week prior the battle, the allies had made a surprise landing in Crimea, then marched towards the strategically important city of Sevastopol. Afterwards, they made a series of disjoined attacks, and eventually, British rifle fire forced the Russians to retreat. Their position collapsed and they fled once they realised that both flanks had been turned. Little pursuit occurred due to lack of cavalry. Roughly, the battle cost 1,600 French causalities, 2,000 British, 503 Egyptian, and the Russians 5,000.

 

The Crimean War, that began in October 1853, was a complex conflict that had its roots in the continuing decline of the Ottoman Empire, that had become known as the 'sick man of Europe'. The alliance of France, Britain and the Ottomans fought against Russia as they did not want them to gain land from the fallen empire. After the Battle of the Alma, the Russians commenced a counterattack at the Battle of Balaclava, where the famous Charge of the Light Brigade took place. Ultimately, the Russians admitted defeat in Crimea. However, the war served as the catalyst for them to start reform in their military and society to keep pace with other developing European nations.

 

Want to find out more about the Battle of the Alma? Click here for more information, or here a video with more about the Crimean War.