The Battle of Balaklava

Title

The Battle of Balaklava

Description

View shows the Battle of Balaklava. "The Scots. Greys supported by the enniskillings are coming to the rescue of the five light cavalry regiments forcing their way thro' the dense masses of the Russian troops." The Battle of Balaklava was a military engagement on 25 October 1854 between the Allies (British, French, Ottoman Empire) and the Russian Empire during the siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War. Splendid depiction of the battle. The battle took place almost seven weeks after the British, French and a Turkish contingent landed in Crimea. During the siege of Sevastopol, the British had their base in the port city of Balaklava. The outcome of the battle can be considered a draw, even though the Russians had the advantage by capturing the three fortifications. However, the battle had no further significance for the further course of the war. After six weeks, the captured positions at Balaklava were cleared by the Russians.

ca. 1860

Artist

Ackermann

Historical Description

Sevastopol is the largest city on the  Crimean Peninsula and a major Black Sea port. In the 6th century BC a Greek colony was established in the area of the modern-day city. In the 13th and 14th centuries it was sacked by the Golden Horde several times and was finally totally abandoned. The modern day city of Sevastopol has no connection to the ancient and medieval Greek city, but the ruins are a popular tourist attraction located on the outskirts of the city. Sevastopol was founded in June 1783 as a base for a naval squadron under the name Akhtiar. One of the most notable events involving the city is the Siege of Sevastopol (1854–55) carried. out by the British, French, Sardinian, and Turkish troops during the Crimean War. The Russians chose to sink their entire fleet to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy and at the same time to block the entrance of the Western ships into the inlet. When the enemy troops entered Sevastopol, they were faced with the ruins of a formerly glorious city.