500 Turks heroically held out in Redoubt No.1 for over an hour before being overwhelmed by vastly superior numbers and under overwhelming Artillery fire. There are reports of the survivors of the assault having literally been "put to the sword"
It might be interesting to note that the British NCO in charge of the Redoubt guns did manage to spike the three guns there before "ESCAPING". So in Redoubt No.1 Johnny Turk fought and died, whilst the Birtish NCO "escaped"
Maude's Battery of RHA were sent in support, but outgunned, outranged, and short of ammunition were withdrawn under enemy fire.
After Redout No.1 collapsed, the remaining Redoubt garrisons under heavy fire and adavncing vastly superior numbers fled back to Balaclava Harbour. You are of course correct Dave, 600 Turks lined up with the 93rd. and were reinforced by Campbell rallying those fleeing from the Redoubts. Along with the remaining two companies of the 93, (550 Highlanders in total), 100 hundred invalids and 40 men from Balaclava , and the Turks formed the line. But the Turks ran, leaving the Brits on their own when the Russian Cavalry appeared.
One distinction I would make as to the Turks was whether they were Nizam (Regulars), or Redif (Reserves), and Bashi Bazouks (Irregulars in the strictest sense of the term) Tose under British command were Redif.
Whilst 7000 Turks landed at Kalamita Bay they were uncommitted by the Allies at The Alma. Following Balaclava, the Allies basically used them as labourers. Their reputation, as perceived by the Russians was quite different, having fought them before the Crimea, General Bogdanovich also stated in 1877 "The Turkish Infantry is not well suited to action on the open field but nevertheless stubbornly maintains itself in fortifications" Sounds like a precursor to Gallipoli to me
Their actions at Kerch, Eupatoria and Kars were very favourably reported upon by British Staff attached with them. If you also consider that the Tunisian Contingent of 10,000 supplied, 7,000 died on the campaign it shows the level of depravation that they were subjected to.
One thing stands out, their courage was unquestionable, even if it slipped a wee bit at Balaclava after Redoubt No.1 fell.
Omar Pasha it is Mr O'Brien, and maybe we can tinker with R2E to reflect their "stubborness in fortifications"
"There is no retreat from here, men," Campbell told them as he rode down the line, "you must die where you stand."