The infantry now had very destructive weapons which led to a profound in the implications for tactics, transferring the advantage to the defender. This was a major change in the conduct of warfare. The fact that firepower was so powerful now, made the frontal assaults an obsolete system. However, even though this was very obvious, it did not prevent both sides from launching suicidal attacks against well-protected positions, like in the case of Inkerman or Balaklava. To overcome this problem, the French orquestrated a brilliant surprise attack on the Malakov (1855). French Officers first pushed the army to within 30 yards of their objective and attacked en masse without warning at a prescribed hour. This showed the tactics of World War I.
Another change in the conduct of warfare, which could be seen during the Crimean War, was the one in the supply system. The introduction of Steamships made a much quicker and more effective transport on sea possible, not being dependent on Wind anymore. Armies could now be transported much quicker than before. This was particularly an advantage to the British and French, who could, during the Crimean War, mobilise their armies much quicker now, while it took the Russians a much longer time. However, an even bigger effect on the supply system was the introduction of railways. After Inkerman, the allies had to face great problems. The winter was very cold, which led to the death of some thousand soldiers, either because of cold, disease, or hunger. To overcome these problems, a railway was built, being the first tactical railway ever. From now on, 240 tons of equipment and food were sent to the front every day. The supply-system got improved.
The introduction of the telegraph was another great change in the conduct of warfare. Yet, on the battlefield, the fighting forces still used the old techniques. The main use of the telegraph in the Crimea, once the allies had installed it all the way to the Crimea, was to ensure closer links between the home country and its armed forces. On the one hand, Napoleon III could insist on telling his generals what he thought of their plans and on the other hand, the public got involved much more intensively in the war. Public interest got much bigger because they had the chance to know what was going on at the front. From now on, the public had to be listened to, and they had the means to express their views, via newspapers such as Times and Manchester Guardian. The government had to take account of public opinion when the country was fighting a war. The independent reporting to the public was used in the Crimea for the first time and was another important feature of the Crimean War.
Disease was the greatest danger to the soldiers, even more then the enemy itself. For every soldier who died in a battle or armed conflict, 4 died because from bad conditions away from the battlefield. To overcome this shocking statistic, a woman, called Florence Nightingale, got installed to solve problems. Better care got provided, largely by improving supplies of food and clothing, but also by sweeping floors, washing linen, changing patient’s clothes etc. Also, sanitary facilities got established and it was after that when conditions got improved and soldiers were cared for by proper nurses. However, these changes were only made at the very end of the Crimean War after ten-thousands of soldiers died, and did not improve the conditions or solve the problems right away.
Even though there were quite a few changes introduced, during the Crimean War, there still existed old, conservative ways in the conduct of warfare. One major problem were the casualties. The casualty lists were horrendous, the tactics were still focused on the Napoleonic column charge, and there was still much old, of age weaponry. The legend of Napoleonic tactics was more powerful than modern weapons. The advantage of the modern weapons was especially shown during the battle of Balaclava (ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade, and the cavalry charge).
However, over all, it is arguable to say that the Crimean War saw some great changes in the conduct of warfare, especially in weaponry and supplies. Of course there were still old fashioned and conservative ways in the conduct of warfare, but the progress of changing warfare was one, which needed time. And the several changes and effects were to be more fully felt in battles, in the next 15 years.