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Civilians in the Line of Fire

The siege of Sevastopol and the two most famous battles of the Crimean War (Battle of Balaklava and Battle of Inkerman) occurred in October and November of 1854. This chapter shows how the siege and the battles impacted the civilian population living in or near the war zone. It begins with discussion of military strategy, the defense of Sevastopol and scuttling of the Black Sea Fleet. It offers a reassessment of Menshikov. Most of the chapter describes the civilian experience, including civilian construction of parapets in Sevastopol, and the failed civilian defense of Balaklava (which occurred weeks before the famous battle by the same name), as well as the devastation of civilians and landscapes near the battle zone.