Could the Charge of the Light Brigade have succeeded?

What is it about?

We built a mathematical model to simulate the British cavalry charge at the 1854 Battle of Balaclava. We then used the model to see what would have happened if the charge had been executed differently. What if the Light Brigade had targeted the Russian guns on the hilltop, instead of in the valley? What if the Heavy Brigade had joined it?

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Why is it important?

The Battle of Balaclava was an indecisive event during the Crimean War. But a solid victory by either the Russians or the British could have changed the war's outcome. The Light Brigade's charge also made the battle infamous. It provoked arguments among the British generals, who blamed each other for its failure. Who was right? Could the charge have succeeded?

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