Battle Report: 5th September 1992 Crimean British  ~vs~  Crimean Russian (Robert Avery & Rupert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery & Nog Norgren)

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Crimean British Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100 Guards Div. 2inC 1         50 1st Brigade Guards 40 10x4 RegA mlr   588   Highlanders 16 4x4 RegA mlr   232   Naval Brigade 24 8x3 RegB mlr   320   Rifles 8 2x4 RegA mlr   124 Attached 17th Lancers 14 2x7 RegA s,l   258   Horse Artillery 3 3x1 RegB light mlsb HA   312   Ammo Wagon 1         50 2nd Division 2inC 1         50 1st Brigade 1st Bttn 40 10x4 RegB mlr   480   2nd Bttn 24 6x4 RegB mlr   300   3rd Bttn 24 6x4 RegB mlr   300 Attached Dragoons 14 2x7 RegB s,mlc   230   Artillery 3 3x1 RegB light mlsb FA   249   Rockets Btty 1 1x1 RegA rocket battery   98               3741

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Crimean Russian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100 Defence Force 2inC 1         50 24th 1st Bttn 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328 Dneprovski 2nd Bttn 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328 Regiment 3rd Bttn 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328   4th Bttn 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328 Attached Dragoons 16 2x8 RegC s,mlc   260   Artillery 2 2x1 RegC heavy mlsb FA in medium works   229   Ammo Wagon 1         50 Relief Force 2inC 1         50 Infantry 1st Bttn 48 4x12 RegC sbm   376   2nd Bttn 48 4x12 RegC sbm   376 Cavalry Uhlans 18 3x6 RegC s,l   300 Cossacks 15 1x15 IrregC s   180   Cossacks 15 1x15 IrregC s   180 Artillery 1st Btty 3 3x1 RegC light mlsb FA   237                 3700

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. Crimean British Crimean Russian Foot 3520 5760 Horse 560 1280 Guns 14 10

Report The British were attacking dug-in Russians on the outskirts of Sebastopol.  This battle demonstrates a superb exploitation of an enemy commander’s errors, and how to roll up a flank. The Russian initial set up comprised a line of infantry units, interspersed with artillery and with flanks defended by cavalry, on a ridge. The British weighted their force to the left: with the 2nd Division on the far left, and Guards Division on centre left. The British commander made a serious error on the right flank: leaving it unprotected apart from two sections of horse artillery and the Lancers, unsupported by infantry. The battle began with the main British force advancing strongly. The waiting Russians shot at them with artillery, but otherwise remained still. On the British right, however, action was joined immediately: with Russian Uhlans and British Lancers charging each other, with the Russians advancing Cossacks and infantry forward as well. After a fierce and bloody melee, the Russian Uhlans broke the British Lancers, but were routed in their turn as the horse artillery moved forward to almost point-blank range, canister blazing. On the right, the Russians then advanced their remaining infantry and cavalry forward against the now solitary horse artillery. Despite brave efforts, they were overrun and fled the field, leaving the whole of the British right flank completely open. Meanwhile, in the centre, the British had formed line and were in the process of driving the Russians off the crest of the ridge. Unfortunately, their exposed flank left them extremely exposed to artillery flank fire and, before they could actually get to the top of the ridge, they were broken. The second division main infantry force had not yet even got into place when the centre began to break, and thus played no part in the battle at all. Casualties The Russians lost 803 infantry and 117 Uhlans. The British lost 410 infantry, 68 lancers and the horse artillery: but would have taken much larger casualties as they retreated. Results The battle was declared a victory for the Russians. Analysis Although the British commander had crippled his attempts to win by leaving his right flank exposed, the battle could perhaps have been retrieved by a prompt and super-quick victory in the centre and on the left. Unfortunately, the British 2inC was too cautious on his wing and, although he suffered no units lost, contributed strongly to the British defeat through his hesitation and snail-like advance.  The British CinC spent much of the battle despatching "hurry-up" notes to his subordinate:  all to no effect! All credit, however, to the Russians: who exploited the British mistakes fully, and kept their nerve under a determined assault.