The Charge Of The Light Brigade

[crokett]

I was always puzzled about this line in the poem:

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:

So I investigated, and instead of being something heroic, it was a screwup.

Here's the writeup on Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_..._light_brigade

[RAFlorida]

Interesting

PBS tv down here had a story about that battle. Didn't get to watch all of it, but it was interesting that the Brits made that blunder.

[JR]

So I investigated, and instead of being something heroic, it was a screwup.

The irony being the display of discipline even given the futility of the mission. Some would say this single event provides a metaphor for all 19th century British Imperialism - wrong in so many ways, but beautifully executed.

JR

[LCHIEN]

it was HEROIC, it was also a stupid mistake. All in vain. That's what makes it such a compelling story.

[Tom Slick]

British Imperialism - wrong in so many ways, but beautifully executed.

Much like british automobiles

[JoeyGee]

Much like british automobiles

...and the Spice Girls.

Oh, darn, they WEREN'T executed, were they?

[germdoc]

As usual, Harry Flashman has the best observation: "[Lord Raglan] should have been a parson, or an Oxford don, or a waiter, for he was the kindliest, soft-voiced old stick who ever spared a fellow-creature's feelings - and that was what was wrong with him..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman_at_the_Charge

[nothing]

A fine example of why a frontal assault into an envelopement over low ground is a bad idea on many different levels.

[germdoc]

A fine example of why a frontal assault into an envelopement over low ground is a bad idea on many different levels.

Coincidentally that's what got Flashman into trouble many a time!

(If you've ever read the Flashman books you'll know what I mean...)

[cwsmith]

While true that it was a blunder, the charge itself did overun the objective causing the defensive position to break. It's overall effect on the enemy was somewhat lasting in that the shear boldness and tanacity of the charge brought about a change in thier defensive thinking. It was no longer a given that such defensive posture would automatically fend off a British attack.

The negative of course was that this "charge" (and Tennyson's poem)would encite illusions for all too many future combat leaders thinking that the frontal assault was all too honorable and glorious.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.

CWS