Battle Report: 18th July 1993 Crimean British  ~vs~  Crimean Russian (Robert Avery ~vs~ Nog Norgren)

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Crimean British Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 2inC 2 100 Infantry Guards 40 10x4 RegA mlr (2 Co's LI) 588 Berkshires 40 10x4 RegA mlr (2 Co's LI) 588 Rifles 8 2x4 LightsA mlr 124 Navy Naval Brigade 1 24 8x3 RegB mlr   320 Naval Brigade 2 24 6x4 RegB mlr 300 Cavalry 17th Lancers 16 4x4 RegA s,l 312   Dragoons 16 4x4 RegB s,mlc   280 Artillery Battery A 3 3x1 RegA medium mlsb FA   315   Battery B 3 3x1 RegA light mlsb HA   324 Battery C 1 1x1 RegA rocket launcher 98 Ammo Wagon 1 50 3499

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Crimean Russian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100   2inC 1         50 1st Moscva 1st Battalion 48 4x12 LightC mlr   520   2nd Battalion 48 4x12 RegB sbm   424   3rd Battalion 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328   4th Battalion 48 4x12 RegD sbm   328 Attached Cossack Militia 48 4x12 RegD sbm   280 Cavalry Dragoons 16 2x8 RegB s,mlc   260   Hussars 24 4x6 RegC s   376 Attached Cossacks 1 15 1x15 IrregC s,l   180   Cossacks 2 15 1x15 IrregC s,l   180 Artillery Battery A 3 3x1 RegC light mlsb FA   237   Battery B 2 2x1 RegC heavy mlsb FA   232   Ammo Wagon 1         50               3545

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. Crimean British Crimean Russian Foot 2720 4800 Horse 640 1400 Guns 14 10

Report A well fought, quick and efficient battle fought over about 3½ hours. Having been seriously out-scouted, the British set up in line with all their artillery and cavalry on their left flank. This turned out to be a mistake, as it meant that they could do no counter-battery fire (the Russians also placing their artillery on the left flank) and that, immediately beginning the battle, they had to move the Lancers to the threatened right flank, so delaying a forward advance. The Russians also set up in line, but with the Hussars and one line battalion far out on the right (a good move as it kept the British horse artillery and Dragoons occupied for the whole battle and prevented them from outflanking the Russian line), and the Cossacks, Dragoons and artillery on the left flank. As it happened, the artillery became blocked by the advance of the Russian cavalry and each battery really only fired every other turn! The Russians advanced strongly, disposing of the British skirmishers by sacrificing one Cossack unit: blasted into oblivion by the British Guards. Although the skirmishers reformed, they never really did any damage to the Russians, apart from the Rifles: who hit the Russian light infantry with a devastating fire. Meanwhile, on the British left, the Dragoons, well supported by horse artillery, had charged the advancing Russian battalion. The supporting Russian Hussars had withdrawn: having been damaged and disordered by a direct hit from the Rocket Battery! The Dragoons got within a sabre’s reach of the Russians, but their defensive square was too strong, and half the Dragoons routed. For the rest of the battle, the remaining Dragoons watched the horse artillery pound the square into pieces! The Russian Dragoons and remaining Cossacks charged the Guards, covering the further advance of their infantry. Both units were repulsed: the Dragoons being annihilated by fire, the Cossacks repulsed by the bayonet. The Russian infantry, now in position, charged the British line, which was caught slightly off-guard by this sudden manoveur. Despite this, they managed to halt the Russians’ charge before impact with volley fire. Seeing their cavalry routing, and the British steady before them, fixing bayonets, the Russian infantry wavered, and then ran. The battle ended as the British prepared to charge the fleeing Russians. Casualties The British suffered the loss of 154 Guardsmen, 24 other infantry and 45 rifles. Also, 87 Dragoons were killed: representing the whole of A squadron. Total: 311. The Russians had 952 infantry killed, an entire Sotnia of Cossacks wiped out, and 222 other cavalry (mainly Dragoons) wounded too. Total: 1474. Results A workmanlike win for the British. Analysis The Russians fought tactically well, with the British not really having an opportunity to do much except use their superior quality to see off the charges.