The Charge of the Light Brigade
The order that doomed 600 men
4.4 (33)
31 mins
Learn about the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War, when around 600 British cavalrymen rode directly into a heavily armed Russian position. Explore the confusion and miscommunication behind the infamous order and the extraordinary courage of the soldiers who followed it.
Ep 1:
Into the Valley: The Men Who Failed
Aristocratic feuds, a purchase-system army, and two brothers-in-law who despised each other set the stage for six hundred cavalrymen to ride into a Russian killing field at Balaclava.
Ep 2:
Six Minutes of Hell
A vague order, a contemptuous gesture, and a mile-long valley of guns turn the Light Brigade's advance into six catastrophic minutes—followed by champagne, blame, and cold arithmetic of loss.
Ep 3:
Blunder Into Legend
A censorship-free war correspondent's phrase inspires Tennyson's immortal poem, while behind the glory a shipwrecked winter and a starving army reveal the true cost of the Crimean War.
Discussions (5)
Raymond
Level 9 · 3 weeks agoSo Cardigan watched 40% of his men get slaughtered, then sailed back to his yacht and popped champagne?? And then commissioned PAINTINGS of himself as the HERO?? The audacity is absolutely staggering.
Lincoln
Level 3 · 3 weeks agoBosquet's quote is often cited as 'c'est de la folie' but historians note he likely said 'c'est magnifique mais ce n'est pas la guerre' without the madness addendum. Close enough.
Conrad
Level 9 · 3 weeks agoCardigan watched 40% of his men die, rode back to his yacht, and popped champagne. The audacity of a man who confused 'doing his duty' with 'not being the one who gets shot.'
