On October 25, 1854, a Turkish defensive line broke in the face of a Russian attack at Balaklava in the Crimea. The 93rd Highlanders were the second line of defense and were attacked by Russian cavalry at approximately 09:15 that morning.

Sir Colin Campbell rode among his highlanders shouting, "Men, remember there is no retreat from here. You must die where you stand!" Private John Scott reportedly shouted back, "Aye, Sir Colin, and needs be we'll do that!"

To receive cavalry infantry normally formed a square or a line four ranks deep. The 93rd Highlanders repulsed three Russian cavalry charges with musket volley in a line two ranks deep. London Times war correspondent William Russell reported that the Russians dashed "toward that thin red streak topped with a line of steel." It bacame known at The Thin Red Line.

And all this time most of you thought it was a movie about American GIs in WWII, didn't you?

Unfourtunately, the bravery of the 93rd Highlanders is often forgotten due to another event that happened nearby, about two hours later the same day; the charge of the Light Brigade of the British Cavalry Divison down a mile and a quarter long valley directly at a battery of Russian guns.

But that's another story, isn't it?

I can't think of a reason why I'm writing this, other than having recently read about it.