Charge of the Light Brigade

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Charge of the Light Brigade, 1854. During the battle of Balaclava (25 October 1854) Lord Raglan ordered Lord Lucan, his cavalry commander, to advance his forces to stop the Russians removing captured cannon from the Causeway Heights. Confusion among the British commanders led to Lucan mistakenly sending the Light Brigade to attack strong Russian positions at a different location, North valley. About one-third of the 673-strong brigade, commanded by Lord Cardigan, became casualties. Thanks partly to Tennyson's poem, the action has become a symbol of military stupidity and blindly obedient courage.

Gary Sheffield

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