Sevastopol, Siege of

During the Crimean War, successful British and French siege October 1854–September 1855 of Sevastopol, a fortified Russian town on the Black Sea. The Russian fleet was based in Sevastopol harbour, so the town was the prime objective of the main Allied attack in the Crimea.

After the battle of the Alma September 1854 the Allies closed up on Sevastopol and entrenched around it, commencing the siege 17 October. The lines did not extend completely round the town so it was possible for the Russians to reinforce and move supplies in; they also brought in General Eduard Todleben, their principal engineer, to strengthen the fortifications.

Little progress was made until June 1855; on 7 June the French took the Mamelon fortress which protected the Malakoff line, the principal defensive line for the town. The British attack on the Redan, another defensive complex, a few days later was a failure. A regular bombardment of the town began early August and the French victory at Tchernaya signalled the end of effective Russian resistance. After a final assault by the Allies 5 September, Sevastopol was evacuated and the Russians retreated inland, leaving their wounded behind.