The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

BATTLE OF INKERMAN

The Battle of Inkerman was an infantry battle of the Crimean War fought on the 5th of November 1854 when the Russians attacked the British forces besieging Sebastopol and were repulsed with the assistance of French and British reinforcements.

Inkerman Ridge, overlooking Sevastopol, was held by the British during the siege of that fortress, and here the Russians attacked them on October the 25th, but were repulsed without difficulty.

A more serious attack was made on the morning of November the 5th. Under cover of a fog a strong force of Russians from Sevastopol readied the British outposts before being seen. They were in superior numbers, for the British had only about 6,000 men here, chiefly the 2nd division, and at once they seized Shell Hill and got their heavy guns into position thereon. The mist, however, and the promptitude of Ponnefather, the general commanding the 2nd division, threw their plan out of gear, and after a confused fight between the infantry the Russians fell back, their general having been killed.

Another large Russian force had by now arrived and delivered another attack. This centred round a small battery, known as Sandbag battery, which a few British defended desperately against assault after assault. Reinforcements, British and French, soon arrived, and there were a number of small counter-attacks. Eventually the guns planted by the Russians on Shell Hill were silenced.

The British lost about 2,400 out of 8,500 engaged; the French lost over 900. The Russian losses were placed at 11,000 or 12,000 out of 42,000 engaged. The fight lasted about seven hours.
Research Battle of Inkerman