The Battle of Alma Heights is considered one of the most significant land battles that took place between Russian and British-French-Turkish soldiers during the Crimean War. The epicenter of the hostilities was the valley of the Alma River. This is the territory of the modern village of Vilino, belonging to the Bakhchisaray district.
Allied troops planned to attack the Russian army from the front and both flanks simultaneously. The frontal attack was led by Marshal St. Arnaud, with the mandatory capture of the dominant Alma Valley — Telegraph Hill. The right flank was taken by Lord Raglan, who was still fighting under Admiral Nelson. General Bosquet was to bypass the Russian from the sea and hit the left flank. The global goal of the Allied operation was to advance to Balaklava harbor, which would be an ideal base for the interventionists in the Crimea.
The Allied troops were countered by Adjutant General Menshikov. He had 35 thousand soldiers and 84 artillery pieces. Russian soldiers were camped on the left, higher, bank of the river Alma. They were stretched (read — scattered) for 8 versts along the reservoir. Curiously, the Russians were so confident of victory because of their numerical superiority that General Totleben invited the inhabitants, and especially the ladies, of Sevastopol to observe the course of the battle. It was supposed that the guests would settle on Kurgan Hill, and from this natural amphitheater they would watch the battle.
The battle was begun by General Bosquet. 14 thousand French at dawn moved on the Russian army. They had to divert the enemy’s attention to themselves and give the British the opportunity to attack Telegraph Hill. The British were delayed, so the French Zouaves independently crossed the river and took the right bank of the river Alma, hitting the Russian in the rear. They were then joined by General Canrober’s English division. The command of 3 Russian regiments, having seen the enemy, ordered to trumpet retreat.
The British, led by Reglan, were advancing on the Kazan Jaeger Regiment. With their commanders dead, the demoralized Russian soldiers retreated. The British took the redoubt and captured the guns. The only ones who put up serious resistance to the Allies were the soldiers of the Vladimir Regiment under the command of General Kvitsinsky. They put the Royal Fusiliers to flight, killing 200 Scots.
Only after the main heights were captured by the French, Prince Menshikov threw 9 battalions of infantry and 4 squadrons of hussars into the battle. At this time General St. Arnaud’s army with the Zouaves in the vanguard swept away the center Moscow and Minsk regiments. Having seen the death of «colleagues», soldiers of Bialystok and Brest regiments rushed to escape. The allies did not pursue the Russian soldiers, but stayed on the battlefield to count losses, bury the dead and rescue the wounded.
During the Battle of Alma 1471 Allied and 2026 Russian soldiers were killed. The defeat of Alexander Menshikov’s army is explained by uncoordinated and frankly cowardly, sometimes — criminal, actions of the command. But even such a low-grade «battle» delayed the advance of the Allied Expeditionary Corps to Balaklava Bay. This allowed the Russian troops to concentrate on the shore forces needed for the defense of Sevastopol. Incidentally, after the battle, both belligerents rechristened the valley of the Alma River the «Valley of Death».
Every year at the end of September — the date is as close as possible to the 20th, there is a reconstruction of the terrible battle. In «Alma Heights» participate military-historical clubs of the Crimea, Moscow. In recent years in Vilino landed «landing» of the British and French.
The guests who came to the event can see the «real» Prince Menshikov and Lord Raglan, dragoons and fusiliers of the Scottish Guards dressed in high bear hats. In a couple of minutes even the most uninitiated spectators will be able to distinguish a Russian infantryman from a cavalryman or a Cossack. The Zouaves — Algerian mercenaries in the French army — deserve a separate proposal. Evil tongues attribute the victory of the Allies over the subjects of Nicholas the First to them. It is said that the Russian troops were afraid of the dark-skinned warriors, mistaking them for the devils of hell.
In reconstruction of the battle «Alma Heights» take part from 150 to 500 soldiers from each side. The scale of the battle, of course, is not the same as it was in 1854, so the volunteer artists try to thoroughly reproduce at least the chronology of events. Most of the costumes — uniforms, tunics, dolomans are sewn by the participants of the reconstruction. Horns, sabers, checkers, bags bought at flea markets or antique dealers. If there is no suitable outfit for the role assigned to them, history buffs make it themselves, adhering to the technology, colors and fabrics that were used in the XIX century. The camps of the participants are set up in those places in the Alma Valley where the bases, redoubts and hospitals of their predecessors were located.
Having come on holiday in Bakhchisarai, you will be able to witness the spectacle that was once promised to the people of Sevastopol by General Totleben. Because of the fact that too many people died in this battle, and its final was disappointing for the Russian Empire, festive fireworks, fireworks and master classes on the possession of ancient weapons in the program of the action is not provided. Those who decided to visit Crimea and the village of Vilino in late September will be invited to observe the course of the Battle of Alma, lay flowers at the monuments and take part in the memorial service for the slain soldiers.