The Alma River is not a natural chasm. In fact, the river is even knee-deep, and both people and carriages can easily cross it.
Precisely because the river was more like a sewer, Kornilov did not place the focus of defense on the riverside. Instead, he used the Black Gold Mountain behind the riverbank and the associated hills to set up defensive positions.
Kornilov built three large fortresses on Black Gold Mountain, namely the Big Fortress, the Second Fortress and the Third Fortress. A large number of field artillery and cannons were deployed in the fortress. Among them, the field artillery was responsible for blocking the Alma River.
Attack enemy infantry and cavalry, while cannons are mainly used for counter-battery.
In order to defend against the enemy's attack, the artillery in the fortress carried out detailed range measurement and marking on almost both sides of the Alma River. Every gun was tested and fired. As long as the enemy entered the range, it would definitely have to shed a layer of skin.
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The person responsible for guarding the defense line of the Alma River is Duke Pyotr Dmitrievich Gorchakov. This Duke also comes from the famous Gorchakov family, is Leonid’s cousin, and is also a M.
The brother of Duke Hail.
But compared with his famous cousin and younger brother, Peter Gorchakov seemed unknown. At this time, he was in charge of commanding the Borodino Infantry Division and was the division commander.
Of course, being unknown is a relative term. Compared with the two brothers, he is indeed inferior. But how can the person who can command the Borodino Division be worse?
After all, Borodino is not an ordinary place. It was the place where Russia fought hard with Napoleon. Although the Russian army was completely defeated by the French army in the Battle of Borodino, objectively speaking, it also played a role in consuming and defeating the French army.
purpose, creating conditions for subsequent victory.
Therefore, Russia does not attach great importance to this battle. Not only does it have a local monument, it also specially named an elite infantry division, and later it was used to name a former Dreadnought-class battleship. If the Russians think this battle is a shame,
Can you be so concerned?
The task Kornilov gave to Peter Gorchakov was to guard the Black Gold Mountain defense line, temporarily block the British, French and Turkish forces on both sides of the river bank, and try to kill and injure the enemy's effective forces if possible.
It should be said that Kornilov was still very clear-headed. He knew that the Alma River and Black Gold Mountain defense lines alone could not stop the coalition. It was only a matter of time before the coalition's strength broke through the defense line.
It is simply unrealistic to expect Peter Gorchakov to hold the defense line. The main mission of the Alma River defense line is to delay and destroy the enemy's effective forces as much as possible, so as to buy more time for Sevastopol to prepare the defense line.
To be honest, even here, Kornilov thinks it is not easy to achieve. After all, the coalition forces have an absolute advantage, and they can also get abundant artillery support from the navy. It depends on the Borodino Division and a small number of Cossack cavalry.
It is easier said than done to kill the opponent in large numbers.
In fact, the coalition forces were very optimistic about breaking through the Alma River defense line. After the two commanders of the coalition forces, Marshal Raglan of the British Army and Marshal Saint-Arnaud of the French army, arrived near the river for a look, they agreed that it would be easy to defeat the enemy in front of them.
"My plan is to launch a pincer offensive against the Russian army. Our army will attack the high ground on the left flank of the Russian army, while your army will outflank the Russian army from the right wing and annihilate the Russian army in the hilly area in one fell swoop!"
Raglan agreed with St. Arnaud's plan. Today he went to the riverside to carefully observe the deployment of the Russian army. He was very impressed by the three Russian fortresses. According to St. Arnaud's plan, the French army was responsible for the left wing of the Russian army.
The terrain there was so dangerous that the Russian army built two forts, which were truly tough.
Even with the artillery support of the navy, it is not that easy to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. Since the French army likes to chew bones, let them chew it. He can just comfortably outflank the flanks, waiting for the French army and the Russian army to fight for both sides.
It's time to come on stage and seal the victory in one fell swoop.
It’s both relaxing and comfortable, so why not?
So Raglan agreed without hesitation, and even wrote it into the memorandum of the coalition for fear that Saint Arnaud would regret it.
In fact, he doesn't have to worry about France going back on his word, because Saint Arnaud just wants to gnaw hard bones. He knows that the meaning of this war to France is to wash away the shame of the Napoleonic era. The more hard bones are gnawed, the more France's current power will be demonstrated.
He doesn't even bother to pinch a soft persimmon!
I have to say that in terms of morale, the French are far superior to the British army. The French army as a whole is holding back a lot of energy and wants to wash away the shame of the year. But the British army is different. They are so complacent that they don't realize it at all.
How hard this war will be.
This can also be seen from the battle preparations of both sides. According to Raglan and St. Arnaud's plan, the attack will be launched at five o'clock the next morning. However, the preparations of the British are really poor. On the one hand, their logistics
The supply situation was very poor, and not enough food, ammunition and other supplies could be transported to the Alma River. The delay was delaying the business.
On the other hand, the morale of the British army was not high, and they generally had no enthusiasm for fighting. When they were tormented by a lack of supplies, they naturally became even more unmotivated.
Therefore, the original plan to launch an attack at five o'clock was delayed again and again. Until ten o'clock in the morning, the British were still standing still. This made it impossible for the French to launch an attack alone. After all, even if Saint Arnaud wanted to avenge his shame, it would be impossible.
I am not arrogant enough to think that I can win without the British.
Because of the British army's procrastination, the French simply made coffee and chatted. This not only made Saint-Arnaud feel helpless and speechless, but also allowed him, who had been in poor health, to breathe a little easier.
Yes, the field marshal's health is in a mess. He has been feeling uncomfortable since arriving in Istanbul. He can't breathe even if he exerts himself a little bit. Most of the time, he can only lie on the camp bed and direct the battle.
Especially after landing in Crimea, St. Arnaud's health became increasingly worse. He kept trying to hold on. The British helped him get more rest time, and he was happy to see the results.
It took until half past ten, and the British were finally ready. However, Raglan changed his mind. He told Saint Arnaud: "The Russian cavalry is much more numerous than ours, and it may not be realistic to outflank the flanks. I think it's unrealistic."
Just line up in front of them and push flatly to defeat them!"
Saint Arnaud was speechless again for a while, but thanks to the British's procrastination, the Russian army was so heavily guarded that even if they wanted to outflank the flanks, it was impossible. Just push them flatly! As long as the British don't
If you do anything else, thank God!
As a result, the new combat plan was temporarily issued to all divisions and brigades. Fortunately, it did not cause greater chaos. When the clock struck eleven, the coalition forces were finally ready and launched the attack...