Battle of Balaclava facts for kids

The Battle of Balaclava was a famous fight during the Crimean War. It happened on October 25, 1854. This battle was between an alliance of countries—the Ottoman Empire, France, and the United Kingdom—and the Russian Empire. The Russians won this battle. Two very well-known events from the Crimean War happened here.

The Thin Red Line: A Brave Stand

One amazing moment was when a group of British soldiers, called the 93rd Highland Regiment, faced a huge Russian cavalry charge. These soldiers wore bright red uniforms. They formed a line only two men deep and bravely stood their ground. This incredible act of courage became known as "The Thin Red Line." It showed how determined these soldiers were.

The Charge of the Light Brigade: A Daring Attack

Another famous event was "The Charge of the Light Brigade." This daring attack even inspired a famous poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The charge was carried out by several British cavalry units. These included the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, the 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars. They were led by Major General the Earl of Cardigan.

The soldiers charged directly into heavy Russian gunfire. Sadly, many lives were lost during this charge. Out of more than 670 soldiers, 278 were either killed or badly wounded. It was a very brave but costly attack.

Images for kids

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  Allied 'flank march' to the Chersonese Peninsula and Sevastopol, September 1854.

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  Cossack Bay, Balaclava. Photo: Roger Fenton c. 1855.

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  1st Baron Raglan, British commander-in-chief. Photo: Roger Fenton.

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  Alexander Menshikov by Franz Kruger. Russian commander-in-chief in the Crimea.

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  French military map of 1855. The village of Kamara, where the battle began, is in the south-east corner.

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  No.1 redoubt on Canrobert's hill (2020).

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  General Pavel Liprandi. Commander of Russian forces at Balaclava.

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  3rd Earl of Lucan c. 1860. Commander of the British Cavalry Division in the Crimea.

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  Lord Cardigan. Commander of the Light Brigade.

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  Battle of Balaclava. Ryzhov's cavalry attacks over the Causeway Heights at approximately 09:15. Both branches of the attack happened almost simultaneously.

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  The Thin Red Line by Robert Gibb. Campbell's 93rd Highlanders repel the Russian cavalry.

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  The 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons and 5th Dragoon Guards engage the Russians in the Charge of the Heavy Brigade.

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  Battle of Balaclava: The Charge of the Light Brigade

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  Cornet assistant Surgeon Henry Wilkin, 11th Hussars. He survived the Charge of the Light Brigade. Photo: Roger Fenton.

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  Chasseurs d'Afrique, led by General d'Allonville, clearing the Fedyukhin Heights

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  Into the Valley of Death by John Charlton. The 17th Lancers ('the Death or Glory Boys') reach the Russian guns.

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  The Relief of the Light Brigade by Richard Caton Woodville. The 11th Hussars reach the Russian guns.

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  Memorial of the Battle of Balaclava near Sevastopol, Balaclava way

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Balaclava para niños