Balaclava Revisited - Battle Report

 I have played variations of the Battle of Balaclava several times in the past, however, the presence of Phil and Will presented an opportunity not to be missed.  My Douglas Miniatures 20mm Crimean troops would take to the field once more.

The stage is set.  A huge Russian force surprises the mainly British and Turkish allies, as it advances towards the Turkish manned redoubts on the Causeway Heights.  Masses of cavalry and infantry move southwest in the general direction of the port of Balaclava.

The British Light Brigade, having had theit breakfast disturbed, mount up with the Heavy Brigade in the background, as the allied General Staff look on from the Sapoune Heights

The outer perimeter of Balaclava is lightly defended by a mix of Turkish and British troops, including the famous 93rd Highlanders 'thin red line'.

Russian infantry are already making their way along the Causeway Heights, capturing the first redoubt, while masses of Russian cavalry advance with artillery support.

The battle along the Heights proves to be a tough fight.  Having secured one redoubt the Russians attempt to drive off the remnants of a Turkish battalion.

The attack succeeds, but the Turkish guns rip through the supporting Cossacks:

The Russians move some artillery into the captured redoubt and infantry attempt to assault the second redoubt, with its steadfast Turkish supporting battalion.

The Russian assault is repelled with heavy casualties.

The situation after the stalled first Russian assault, as more Russian battalions move forward.

Russian cavalry eventually sweep the Turkish infantry off the ridge, but the stubborn Turkish artillery continues to hold out causing more casualties.

Meanwhile, the British reinforcements, consisting of the leading elements of the 1st Division arrive in the field.

With the arrival of allied reinforcements the pressure was on for the Russians to break through.  A large cavalry force begins to move around towards the British right flank.  

While this is going on the battle for redoubt number two continues.

The Russian cavalry that swept around the right flank smashes into the British Royal Marines.  The Marines are over run, but they cause massive casualties amongst the Russian cavalry, supported by allied artillery

The British 8th Hussars sweep forward and drive off the Russian infantry, but unsupported they are driven off as they run up against Russian cavalry and artillery. Still the Turkish redoubt holds out.

A fresh Russian battalion moves along the ridge and at last the Turks are overrun, as more Russians advance to exploit the success.  However, Russian casualties are now very high.

In order to prevent the Russians from occupying Redoubt 2, the Scots Greys charge into the Russian infantry. Again unsupported, the Greys are destroyed. 

However, over towards Balaclava the last of the Russian cavalry is destroyed and the Russian assault ends.  It is an 8 -5 victory for the allies, although they will have to fight to recapture the Causeway Heights - maybe it is time for "Lord Raglan wishes the cavalry to advance rapidly to the front to try to try to prevent the enemy from carrying away the guns".....But that is another story!

The game was played with modified C&C battlecry rules, on a hex board.  The figures are all 20mm, mostly Douglas Miniatures, with a few others added to make up the numbers.  This was an excellent game.  If the Russians had not thrown away four regiments of cavalry on an attempt to break the balaclava defences the result might have been different.