The Charge of the Light Brigade, the Thin Red Line and the Lady of the Lamp have all passed into legend. From the Soldiers' Battle at Inkerman to the siege of Sebastopol, the Crimean War showed the incompetence of the British High Command being redeemed time and again by the outstanding courage and determination of the British soldier. Failure of supplies, exposure and disease led to the deaths of thousands during the cruel Crimean winter. Here for the first time are the previously unpublished first hand accounts of fighting, woven together to recreate one of the most famous and gruelling conflicts in history. From the commander-in-chief Lord Raglan to the lowliest private, the fascinating material from the archives of the National Army Museum bring to life tragic friendships, shattered nerves, accusations, rivalries, the harrowing experiences of Victoria Cross winners, decapitation and amputation - all finally revealing the untold stories of the Crimean War.

Author Biography

Alastair Massie is head of the department of archives at the National Army Museum.