The Crimean War by Hugh Small a Review

[OB]

Hugh Small's ground breaking book on the Crimean War is a good read.

It was originally published in 2007 and re issued in 2018.  Somewhat belatedly I have reviewed of it on my blog.  I learned a lot from it and may have incidentally added to my Indian Mutiny knowledge.

If you are interested in the Crimean War or in 19th Century Warfare Small has much to offer.  Here is the link:

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

[vtsaogames]

I think he overstates the effectiveness of Minie rifles. Only specialist troops could estimate ranges accurately enough to attain serious results at extreme range. In the hands of ordinary troops they achieved results at moderate increases in range over smooth bore muskets. But since the Russians were deployed in massed columns and had cartridges wrapped in inferior paper, they were a great target and didn't generate withering return fire.

Moderate range increases against packed targets and middling return fire explain the heavy Russian losses in the open field.

[OB]

Yes the Russian formations were an ideal target.

I'm not sure the impact of the Miníe is overstated though.  W.H Howard was of the opinion that it was a game changer in both the Crimea and the Mutiny.  Small says the British soldiers had been trained in its use before embarkation to the Crimea.

It's interesting to compare how Cathcart's Division which was still using smoothbores did compared to the rest of them who had the Minie.