The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Battle of Balaclava, part of the wider conflicts of the Crimean War, fought between the British Empire, France, Turkey, and Russia. The charge was initiated by Major General James Cardigan leading the British Light Cavalry Brigade, comprising around 600 horsemen. On that fateful day, a series of miscommunications led to the Brigade receiving orders to charge directly at entrenched Russian artillery positions, including cannons that were effectively positioned to inflict maximum damage. Despite knowing the odds were against them, the Light Brigade gallantly charged forward, demonstrating remarkable bravery and dedication.

The battle unfolded against a backdrop of strategic difficulties, exacerbated by logistical issues and poor communication between commanders. Although the cavalrymen displayed immense courage, the charge resulted in a devastating loss, with many soldiers killed or wounded. The aftermath exposed glaring failures in military communication and command structure, leading to widespread criticism of leadership within the British Army. The event quickly became immortalized in popular culture, particularly through Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade," which transformed the disastrous charge into a symbol of selfless bravery.