November 5, 1854 · Crimea Theater
November 5, 1854
The bloodiest battle of the Crimean War, fought in dense fog on rocky hillside terrain that negated Russian numerical superiority and prevented coordination between their attacking columns. Two Russian forces — Soimonov's from Sevastopol and Pavlov's from the north — were supposed to attack simultaneously, but the fog and difficult ground prevented coordination. British troops fought in small groups without clear command, earning the battle its nickname 'the soldier's battle.' French troops under Bosquet arrived to deliver the decisive counter-attack.
Commanders