Battle Report: 2nd May 1998

Crimean Allies ~vs~ Crimean Russian

(Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery) .

Crimean Allies
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
BRITISH	CinC	1	.	..	.		100
Infantry	57th Regt	40	10x4	RegB	sbm		420
Brigade	66th Regt	40	10x4	RegB	sbm		420
	Rifles	16	4x4	RegA	mlr		280
Cavalry	Light Dragoons	10	2x5	RegA	s, mlc		190
Brigade	17th Lancers	10	2x5	RegA	s, l		190
	Heavy Dragoons	10	2x5	RegA	s, mlc		190
Artillery	2inC	1					50
Brigade	1st Battery	3	3x1	RegB	light mlsb FA		249
	2nd Battery	2	2x1	RegA	light mlsb HA		216
	Ammo Wagon	2					50
TURKISH	CinC	1					100
1st Brigade	1st Bttn	20	4x5	RegB	sbm		200
	2nd Bttn	24	4x6	RegC	sbm		208
	3rd Bttn	24	4x6	RegC	sbm		208
2nd Brigade	1st Bttn	24	4x6	RegD	sbm		184
	2nd Bttn	24	4x6	RegD	sbm		184
	3rd Bttn	24	4x6	RegD	sbm		184
	Attached Art.	2	2x1	RegC	light mlsb FA		158
							3831

.

Crimean Russian
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
.	CinC	1					100
Infantry	2inC	1					50
Regt	1st Bttn	48	4x12	LightsC	mlr		520
	2nd Bttn	48	4x12	RegB	sbm		424
	3rd Bttn	48	4x12	RegD	sbm		328
	4th Bttn	48	4x12	RegD	sbm		328
Cavalry	2inC	1					50
Brigade	Uhlans	16	2x8	LightsC	s, l		260
	Hussars	24	4x5	RegC	s		376
	Cossacks	10	1x10	IrregD	s, l		115
Unbrigaded	Cossacks	48	4x12	MilD	mlr		376
Foot	Sailors	48	4x12	MilD	mlr		376
Artillery	1st Battery	3	3x1	RegC	light mlsb FA		237
	2nd Battery	2	2x1	RegB	heavy mlsb FA		244
	Ammo Wagon	1					50
							3834

.

.	Crimean Allies	Crimean Russian
Foot	4720	5760
Horse	600	1000
Guns	7	5

Report

The battle opened with a general advance on both sides. The British commander had placed his British Regulars in the centre, with the Turks on the left flank. On the right, a small force of Rifles, Heavy Dragoons and Turkish Artillery were to try and turn the flank.

The Russians commander sent three battalions of line infantry up the centre, with the Cossacks and Sailors left to hold the flanks. The final battalion of line infantry was sent to head off the British flank-turning force.

In the centre, battle was joined swiftly: with the Russians suddenly charging the three infantry columns and two cavalry units into a surprised British line. Although the British withstood the first impact, Russian artillery fire and the devastating fire of the close range Russian infantry broke both British Regular battalions:  sending them fleeing the field.

The charge had not, however, been without cost to the Russians:  of the five units sent in, only the Heavy Infantry and Uhlans survived - two Russian sub-Generals had also perished.

Meanwhile, on the right flank, the British flank-turning force was having some success: the fire from the Rifles and Artillery routing the Russian battalion, with the Heavy Dragoons finishing them off.

On the left flank, an advance by Turks had been halted by the Russian CinC, himself, leading the militia Sailors forward.

At this point, both sides agreed to end the battle. The British had their centre shattered, but the Russians had lost the power to exploit the victory. On the flanks, the British had broken one, but were being forced to retreat on the other. In effect, both sides were too bruised and battered to go on. 

Casualties

The British lost 340 Regulars and 20 or so cavalry. Their Turkish allies lost 260 infantry.

The Russians lost 940 infantry, two sub-Generals, and 20 or so Hussars.

Results

A draw. 

Analysis

A great battle: proving once again that the points system evens out any differences in the quality of troops fielded and that, well led, the Russians are a match for anybody.