Battle Report: 31st August 1996

Crimean Russian ~vs~ Crimean French

(Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery) .

Crimean Russian
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
.	CinC	1	.	..	.		100
11th	2inC	1
(Moscva)	1st Bttn	48	4x12	LightsC	mlr
Infantry	2nd Bttn	48	4x12	RegB	sbm
Regiment	3rd Bttn	48	4x12	RegD	sbm
	4th Bttn	48	4x12	RegD	sbm		1650
Attach-	Cossack Foot	48	4x12	MilD	sbm
ments	Sailors	48	4x12	MilD	sbm		656
Cavalry	2inC	1
Brigade	Guard Dragoons	16	2x8	RegB	s, mlc
	Hussars	24	4x6	RegC	s
	Cossacks	30	1x30	IrregC	s, l, ½mlc		1078
Artillery	Battery A	3	3x1	RegC	light mlsb FA
	Battery B	2	2x1	RegC	heavy mlsb FA		469
Train	Ammo Wagon	1					50
							4003

.

Crimean French
Brigade	Unit	Fig.'s	Org.	Class	Weapons	Pts/Fig	Points
	CinC	1					100
1st	2inC	1					100
Brigade	1st Bttn	36	6x6	RegC	mlr
	2nd Bttn	36	6x6	RegC	mlr
	3rd Bttn	36	6x6	RegC	mlr		1202
2nd	1st Bttn (Marines)	36	6x6	RegB	mlr
Brigade	2nd Bttn (Zouaves)	36	6x6	LightsB	mlr
	Attached Turks	24	4x6	RegB	mlr		1252
	The Band	20	5x4	RegC	mlr		250
Cavalry	2inC	1
Brigade	Guides	12	2x6	RegA	s, p
	Dragoons	12	2x6	RegA	s, mlc
	Cuirassiers	12	2x6	RegB	s, armour
	Lancers	12	2x6	RegB	s, l		898
Artillery	Battery A	3	3x1	RegB	light mlsb FA		249
Train	Ammo Wagon	1					50
							4001

.

.	Crimean Russian	Crimean French
Foot	5760	4080
Horse	1400	960
Guns	10	6

 

Report

Heavily outscouted by the hordes of Russian Cossacks, the French deployed first: their infantry forming attack columns in the centre, with their cavalry and artillery supporting on the wings.

The Russians massed their entire cavalry force on their left flank, matched the French infantry with their own, and placed the heavy artillery safe behind the river on their right.

The battle commenced with an advance on both sides: with the French moving strongly forward across their entire frontage and sending off a small detachment of Turks to cross the river to threaten the Russian heavy guns. The main advance was, however, delayed by the failure of the 3ieme Battalion, 1ere Brigade to advance quickly without disorder.

The Russians advanced in echelon: sending their left flank forward in an attempt to drive the French onto their centre with the best of the Russian infantry.

The first real action was a massive cavalry charge: with the vast Cossack regiment thundering towards the French Cuirassiers. The French counter-charged, won the impact, followed up, and a massive cavalry melee developed around a hedge. At first the Cuirassiers made good progress, but then the sheer weight of the Cossacks’ numbers (a 2½:1 advantage) overwhelmed them.

The rest of the French force, however, continued unchecked: with the 2ieme Battalion, 1ere Brigade charging over the hedge straight at the Russian heavy infantry. Despite heavy losses from artillery fire, the Glorious Deuxieme thundered into contact and the Russians, appalled by the fact that they hadn’t stopped the French with musket fire, broke before the fearsome column.

The 2ieme had, however, advanced too far: and were quickly sent scurrying back over the hedge. Their charge had provided, however, the cover needed for the French to get the rest of their men into position: with the 3ieme Bttn, 1ere Brigade routing the battered Cossacks with rifle fire.

Unfortunately, the delay by the 3ieme at the beginning of the battle now proved vital: the short Crimean winter’s day drawing to a close. With victory within his grasp (the best of the Russian troops either routed or shaken), the French Commander, reluctant to fight at night, was forced to withdraw.

Casualties

The Russians lost half their Cossacks and a smattering of infantry: most of their men running away before impact!

The French 2ieme,1ere lost 280 out of 720 men; with the Infantrie de Marine losing 120 men to artillery fire. The French Cuirassiers were almost completely wiped out: with only 40 out of 240 men returning.

Results

A winning draw for the French.

Analysis

A good battle both in terms of excitement and looks! It was a great shame that time constraints didn’t permit a continuation: but probably quite lucky for the Russians!