Part 1 Crimean War and its background

The Trigger

The Crimean War was primarily driven by the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the expansionist desires of the Russian Empire. Russia sought control over Ottoman territories, aiming to gain dominance in the Balkans and access to the Mediterranean. The immediate trigger was a dispute over Christian shrines in Palestine, with Russia claiming protection over Orthodox Christians in Ottoman lands. Britain and France, wary of Russian expansion, sided with the Ottomans to maintain the balance of power in Europe and to protect their own strategic interests in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Thus began the great rivalries and complex alliances that developed over the next 4 years.

1854 –  At the outset!

From the start of January, relations between Russia, England and France became such that a rupture became inevitable. With such a prediction, preparations for organising an army begin.

March 12 / Formation of the Eastern Army

The journal “Monitor” provides details regarding the makeup of this military force. Commanded by Marshal of France Leroy de Saint-Arnaud, the military force consisted of two infantry divisions led by Divisional Generals Cainrobert and Bosquet, one cavalry brigade under General D’Alonville, one reserve corps commanded by Prince Napoleon, one division from the reserve led by Divisional General Fauré, and one cavalry brigade from the reserve commanded by General Cassenol. Brigadier-General de Martinprey holds the position of Chief of the General Staff, while M. Blanchot serves as the Quartermaster-General. The ecclesiastical personnel is overseen by M. Abbé de Parabert, the Chief Military Chaplain.

French troops withdraw from Algeria. They embark on the ships at Marseilles, Toulon, and other locations along the African coast.

March 15 1854

The Corps of Reserve (Prince Napoleon) was transformed into the Third Infantry Division.

At this time the military leaders and commanders of France, England, and the Ottoman Empire were devising strategic plans to effectively execute a military operation in the Crimean peninsula. One of the forward and significant rallying points was that of Varna, located directly across from Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, at a distance of around 260 nautical miles. Varna’s strategic location made it an excellent base for the troops that would require rest and recovery after being transferred from the UK, France, and various other embarkation locations.

Part 2 Crimean War