Good old fashioned lets celebrate K&C! (1 Viewer)

[damian]

I agree. Just surprised it is not better known in the rest of the world.

 

[OzDigger]

I agree. Just surprised it is not better known in the rest of the world.

I guess we can put that down to parochialism, which seems to be increasing the more we approach the so called threat of globalization.

A recent example would be a local girl named Jessica Watson that sailed around the world by herself. She made headline news in Australia but I wonder how much recognition she achieved in other countries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_Watson

 

[damian]

Most famous and most remembered cavalry charges in the English speaking world were disasters.
21 st Lancers Omdurman
Union Brigade Waterloo
Light Brigade Balaclava.

 

[Mitch]

Just glad K&C UK went into this range and, hope it long continues as its probably the best range for me, on the market today
Mitch

 

[Rob]

Most famous and most remembered cavalry charges in the English speaking world were disasters.
21 st Lancers Omdurman
Union Brigade Waterloo
Light Brigade Balaclava.

Interesting point mate,but was the charge of the Scots Greys really a full on 'Disaster', they drove the French inf back,sabered gunners etc.Yes it cost them dear in casualties but the effect on both British and French morale was marked.

Heres an eyewitness account;

Just as I was pushing one of our men back into the ranks I saw him fall at my feet from a sabre slash. I turned round instantly - to see English cavalry forcing their way into our midst and hacking us to pieces. Just as it is difficult, if not impossible, for the best cavalry to break into infantry who are formed into squares and who defend themselves with coolness and daring, so it is true that once the ranks have been penetrated, then resistance is useless and nothing remains for the cavalry to do but to slaughter at almost no risk to themselves. This what happened, in vain our poor fellows stood up and stretched out their arms; they could not reach far enough to bayonet these cavalrymen mounted on powerful horses, and the few shots fired in chaotic melee were just as fatal to our own men as to the English. And so we found ourselves defenseless against a relentless enemy who, in the intoxication of battle, sabred even our drummers and fifers without mercy

And Damian,was the Charge of the Light Brigade really a disaster???.....Kidding!! Even I couldn't argue that one!

Rob

 

[aujj65]

Interesting point mate,but was the charge of the Scots Greys really a full on 'Disaster', they drove the French inf back,sabered gunners etc.Yes it cost them dear in casualties but the effect on both British and French morale was marked.

Heres an eyewitness account;

Just as I was pushing one of our men back into the ranks I saw him fall at my feet from a sabre slash. I turned round instantly - to see English cavalry forcing their way into our midst and hacking us to pieces. Just as it is difficult, if not impossible, for the best cavalry to break into infantry who are formed into squares and who defend themselves with coolness and daring, so it is true that once the ranks have been penetrated, then resistance is useless and nothing remains for the cavalry to do but to slaughter at almost no risk to themselves. This what happened, in vain our poor fellows stood up and stretched out their arms; they could not reach far enough to bayonet these cavalrymen mounted on powerful horses, and the few shots fired in chaotic melee were just as fatal to our own men as to the English. And so we found ourselves defenseless against a relentless enemy who, in the intoxication of battle, sabred even our drummers and fifers without mercy

And Damian,was the Charge of the Light Brigade really a disaster???.....Kidding!! Even I couldn't argue that one!

Rob

It all depends on what your definition of a disaster is! All the above mentioned cavalry charges are also remembered for the shear bravery and heroic acts that took them all the way and remember they all inflicted some serious damage on the enemy as well.

Jeff

 

[aujj65]

Just glad K&C UK went into this range and, hope it long continues as its probably the best range for me, on the market today
Mitch

It is my favourite as well, I will post some more photos of my collection tomorrow when the sun reappears.

Jeff

 

[kilted vampire]

It's all good! OK OK maybe not all buy most of it!

 

[damian]

Interesting point mate,but was the charge of the Scots Greys really a full on 'Disaster', they drove the French inf back,sabered gunners etc.Yes it cost them dear in casualties but the effect on both British and French morale was marked.

Heres an eyewitness account;

Just as I was pushing one of our men back into the ranks I saw him fall at my feet from a sabre slash. I turned round instantly - to see English cavalry forcing their way into our midst and hacking us to pieces. Just as it is difficult, if not impossible, for the best cavalry to break into infantry who are formed into squares and who defend themselves with coolness and daring, so it is true that once the ranks have been penetrated, then resistance is useless and nothing remains for the cavalry to do but to slaughter at almost no risk to themselves. This what happened, in vain our poor fellows stood up and stretched out their arms; they could not reach far enough to bayonet these cavalrymen mounted on powerful horses, and the few shots fired in chaotic melee were just as fatal to our own men as to the English. And so we found ourselves defenseless against a relentless enemy who, in the intoxication of battle, sabred even our drummers and fifers without mercy

And Damian,was the Charge of the Light Brigade really a disaster???.....Kidding!!



Even I couldn't argue that one!

Rob

Rob my friend they were
Glorious disasters.

 

[Rob]

Rob my friend they were
Glorious disasters.

In the Great British tradition mate!

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Reminds me of the old phrase, although it may not be apropos, that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all.

 

[Blowtorch]

Whats been you stand out K&C releases of the year so far.

I preordered the FW190. Like the paint job. Mine is gonna be parked on Wilhelmstrasse waiting for The 'Dolph. It has a secret compartment behind the pilot's seat which can get him out & over to Gatow where Luftwaffe One is waiting for the long trip to Tibet.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Most famous and most remembered cavalry charges in the English speaking world were disasters.
21 st Lancers Omdurman
Union Brigade Waterloo
Light Brigade Balaclava.

Yes the British Cavalry had a habit of getting out of hand and charging too far. The Union Brigade of course did that but its initial effect was to decisively stop the advance of d'Erlon's infantry, which was on the verge of a break through. The timing and execution of the Brigade's strike against those French columns was devastating and effectively put those units out of the battle. So while the end of the charge was a disaster, overall I think it can be considered one of factors in the ultimate allied success.

I think the Light Brigade charge can be reasonably considered a disaster without any qualification.

 

[Mitch]

I think we could list a few defeats where we end up making it almost seem to all that it was a victory. Its probably what has defined us over the years.
Mitch

 

[damian]

I think we could list a few defeats where we end up making it almost seem to all that it was a victory. Its probably what has defined us over the years.
Mitch

4-1 against Germany mate. You cannot convince anyone different.

 

[Mitch]

No I think that was worse than the charge and arnhem rolled into one. But, my money was on spain anyhow.
Mitch

 

[damian]

No I think that was worse than the charge and arnhem rolled into one. But, my money was on spain anyhow.
Mitch

At least you can smile about the Ashes then.

 

[Mitch]

I am english I am always smiling!!!!
Mitch

At least you can smile about the Ashes then.

 

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Yes the British Cavalry had a habit of getting out of hand and charging too far. The Union Brigade of course did that but its initial effect was to decisively stop the advance of d'Erlon's infantry, which was on the verge of a break through. The timing and execution of the Brigade's strike against those French columns was devastating and effectively put those units out of the battle. So while the end of the charge was a disaster, overall I think it can be considered one of factors in the ultimate allied success.

I think the Light Brigade charge can be reasonably considered a disaster without any qualification.

Though of course generalized, I think the commander's accounts of battlefield action (to include insane cavalry charges) determined the success or the failure of the charge not by the number of losses sustained but rather the effect on the enemy movement or fire. Balaclava was a disaster not only because of the loss, but also because nothing was gained. The effectiveness of a unit was often judged not even by its effectiveness of volley, but its willingness to stand, because ultimately the success of so many engagements came down to morale.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Though of course generalized, I think the commander's accounts of battlefield action (to include insane cavalry charges) determined the success or the failure of the charge not by the number of losses sustained but rather the effect on the enemy movement or fire. Balaclava was a disaster not only because of the loss, but also because nothing was gained. The effectiveness of a unit was often judged not even by its effectiveness of volley, but its willingness to stand, because ultimately the success of so many engagements came down to morale.

True enough, which is one reason the Union Brigade charge was a success; it was quite demoralizing to the French infantry involved. The lack of a corresponding gain at Balaclava was precisely what I meant.