|
In 1853, Russia sent troops to defend Christians within the Ottoman Empire. Within months, Russian troops had occupied parts of the Ottoman Empire and the Turks declared war. On 28 March 1854, looking to prevent Russian expansion, Britain and France (with Austrian backing) also declared war on Russia. In September 1854, Allied troops invaded the Crimea and within a month were besieging the Russian held city of Sebastopol.On 25 October 1854, the Russians were driven back at the Battle of Balaclava (including the foolhardy Charge of the Light Brigade). Eleven days later, the Battle of Inkerman was also fought (with high casualties on both sides).
Poorly supplied and with little medical assistance (despite the self-publicity of Florence Nightingale), the British troops suffered immense casualties - 4,600 died in battle; 13,000 were wounded; and 17,500 died of disease.The French and British forced the fall of Sebastopol on 11 September 1855 and peace was subsequently concluded at Paris. Within fifteen years, the Russian were back in Sebastopol and rearming.
|
