Many have heard of the ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade of the British cavalry in the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War, which consisted of the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, the 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars, under the command of Major General James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, an elitist. The light brigade unsuccessfully attacked well-established, organized artillery positions, and had to withdraw with great losses and without achieving their objective.

Fewer, though, have heard of the charge of the Heavy Brigade, which was commanded by Major General James Yorke Scarlett, who was a past Commanding Officer of the 5th Dragoon Guards, and who astutely hand-picked his aide-de-camps—his leadership team. The Heavy Brigade was made up of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, the 5th Dragoon Guards, the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and the Scots Greys.

Not only does the author provide great operational detail of the battle, which is usually covered with a focus on the Light Brigade, but he expands the aperture of information and understanding to brilliantly inform the reader of operations by focusing on the Heavy Brigade as a contrast. The Heavy Brigade was intended as the primary British shock force, leading frontal charges to break enemy lines. Unlike the Lord Cardigan and his Light Brigade, Major General Scarlett and the Heavy Brigade successfully attacked its assigned objective.

The author’s well-researched focus on defense policy, organizational matters of the time, the British purchase (of officer commissions) system, the Red Cross and like efforts, and his exceptional coverage of things logistics and sustainment, and what we now call the Common Table of Allowances (TOA), makes this well-researched book the cardinal effort that it is. M. J. Trow’s “The Charge of the Heavy Brigade: Scarlett’s 300 in the Crimea” (ISBN 9781399093002) is a must read. Five stars.

Thanks to the publisher, Pen & Sword Books (pen-and-sword.co.uk) granting this writer the opportunity to read this seminal work prior to publication, and thanks to NetGalley for helping to make that possible.

A fascinating book about a little-known British cavalry unit, the Heavy Brigade, during the Crimean War. They fought alongside the ill-fated Light Brigade, fighting the Russian army.
Apart from mainly incompetent leadership, the brigade had to endure dreadful diseases, virtually no training, lack of food, no Winter clothing, poor communications, and primitive/non-existent housing. Their horses suffered as badly as their human masters. through lack of fodder and frightful living conditions.
I really enjoyed reading the tales from the various participants, particularly the women who stood back as spectators to the battles as though they were sporting events. Indeed, the political machinations between Russia and Britain are often referred to as the 'Great Game'!
The Kindle version sadly lacked photographs of the brigade members, which the author discusses in some great detail. This is my only small niggle!
I can recommend this book to those who enjoy military history or who are merely curious about the Crimean War.

A good historical novel regarding the action leading up to the charge of the light brigade in the Crimeran War. The book concentrates on the lesser known action that took place prior to the charge - the heavy brigade. Explained in great detail, the author explains both the make-up of the unit an interesting-dealing. A good history read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.