the Battle of Balaclava

The Battle of Balaclava took place on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War between Britain and Russia. It is most famous for the Charge of the Light Brigade, a disastrous cavalry attack against well-prepared Russian artillery. British forces aimed to defend the supply port of Balaclava from Russian advances. Despite initial successes, poor communication and leadership led to miscalculations, resulting in heavy British casualties. The battle highlighted issues in military command and logistics, ultimately becoming emblematic of the hardships faced by British troops during the war, and igniting public interest and debate over military leadership.