September 8, 1855 · Crimea Theater
September 8, 1855
French forces under General MacMahon stormed and captured the Malakhov Tower — the key to Sevastopol's defenses — at noon on September 8, 1855, timing the assault to exploit a moment when Russian defenders traditionally stood down. Once the Malakhov fell, the entire southern defensive line became untenable. A simultaneous British assault on the Great Redan was repulsed with heavy casualties.
Commanders