September 20, 1854 · Crimea Theater
September 20, 1854
The first major land battle of the Crimean War was fought at the Alma River, where Menshikov had positioned Russian forces on heights commanding the road to Sevastopol. Allied forces — British on the right, French on the left — crossed the river under fire and stormed the Russian positions. French forces scaled the cliffs on the left flank while British infantry advanced through withering musket fire. Russian resistance collapsed after roughly three hours.
Commanders