How a chaotic, unplanned scramble up a cliff decided the Battle of the Alma
On 20 September 1854, Allied forces faced Russian troops on the Alma Heights. Despite disjointed maneuvers and a lack of clear coordination, the French scaled cliffs deemed unscalable, while British rifle fire eventually forced a Russian collapse. It was a victory defined by improvisation, heavy casualties, and a lack of pursuit.
The Battle of the Alma was the first major engagement of the Crimean War. Allied forces, comprising French, British, and Ottoman troops, landed in Crimea on 14 September 1854. Their goal was the port of Sevastopol, but Russian commander Prince Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov positioned his 35,000 soldiers on the high ground south of the Alma River, creating a formidable defensive barrier.
The engagement began with the French turning the Russian left flank. While the Russians assumed the cliffs at the river's mouth were too steep to climb, French Zouaves swam across and scaled them, eventually bringing artillery to the plateau. This maneuver, combined with fire from the Allied fleet, undermined Russian morale. Meanwhile, the British advance was marred by confusion. Regiments became jumbled, and soldiers often sought shelter rather than advancing. It was only through the use of superior Minié rifles and the eventual pressure of the Guards and 2nd Division that the British were able to push the Russians from their strongpoints on Kourgane Hill.
By 16:00, the Russian position had collapsed. The retreat was chaotic, with soldiers fleeing in small groups without officers. The Allies, however, were unable to capitalize on the victory; the lack of cavalry meant no immediate pursuit occurred, and the logistical strain of the campaign—including a lack of medical supplies and transport—left the army struggling to manage the wounded. The battle cost the Allies over 4,000 casualties, while the Russians suffered some 5,000. The victory left a lasting cultural mark, with numerous locations, bridges, and pubs across the globe named in its honor.
Source: Battle of the Alma
