FARCE IN THE AZOV SEA

Whatever Napoleon III’s qualities may have been, they did not include prowess in military affairs. Despite this, perhaps because of the name he carried, he felt the need to get involved whenever possible. During the Crimean War, his relentless interference led to the humiliation and subsequent resignation of the French commander-in-chief.

The war had started well. British and French forces had defeated the Russians at the Battle of the Alma, but shortly