A failed Russian assault near Sevastopol was repelled by smaller Allied forces, accelerating the fall of the besieged city.
Key Facts
- Date
- August 16, 1855
- Location
- Traktir Bridge, Chernaya River
- Conflict
- Crimean War
- Outcome
- Allied victory; Russian attack repelled
- Allied commanders
- A. Pélissier and A. La Marmora
- Russian commander
- M. Gorchakov
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Allied siege of Sevastopol in the Crimean War, Russian forces under General Gorchakov launched an offensive at the Chernaya River, attempting to relieve pressure on the besieged city and break the Allied lines positioned on the city's outskirts.
On August 16, 1855, Russian troops attacked Allied positions at the Traktir Bridge on the Chernaya River. Despite Gorchakov's personal presence on the battlefield, the assault was poorly organised and executed, and was defeated by numerically inferior French, Piedmontese, and Ottoman forces commanded by Pélissier and La Marmora.
The failed Russian offensive weakened the defenders of Sevastopol and demonstrated the disorganisation of Russian command. The defeat contributed to the eventual fall of Sevastopol, which followed shortly after, and reinforced the broader strategic failure of Russia in the Crimean War.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
3 belligerents
A. Pélissier, A. La Marmora.
Side B
1 belligerent
M. Gorchakov.