Inside Wellington's Peninsular Army: 1808 - 1814 - Hardcover

Rory Muir; Bob Burnham; Howie Muir; Ron McGuigan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184415484X ISBN 13: 9781844154845

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military, 2007

Synopsis

The British army reached the apogee of its success in the war against Napoleon, and in particular in the famous campaigns in the Peninsula, while under Wellington&supl;s command. Yet many aspects of how it achieved its victories have been ignored or taken for granted. This book breaks new ground in a series of meticulous studies, which reveal the hidden mechanisms that lie behind triumphs such as Salamanca and Vitoria. At the same time it places Wellington&supl;s campaigns in their strategic context and explains how he achieved his success.

The organization of Wellington&supl;s army and the principles underlying the way in which the troops were placed in the line of battle are uncovered in a penetrating new analysis. The subordinates who commanded his brigades and divisions are given the attention they deserve, and there is an authoritative explanation of the importance of army rank and seniority.

Fascinating studies of bridging operations, including the construction of Europe&supl;s first suspension bridge, and the role of reconnaissance (or "exploring") officers reveal the practical difficulties of campaigning in a country where roads were few, maps inaccurate, and what bridges existed were often of ancient Roman origin. An invaluable appendix lists and organizes by regiment the titles of the many hundreds of first-hand accounts of the war by British soldiers.

This book emphasizes that there was more to Wellington&supl;s generalship than just commanding on the battlefield. It is an important and original contribution to the history of the Peninsular War, and it builds upon the pioneering work of Sir Charles Oman.

About this title

About the Author

Having had numerous articles published on the Peninsular War and the British Army, the renowned historian and author ROBERT BURNHAM hosts the pre-eminent Napoleonic website, the Napoleon Series. This fascinating and all-embracing website, the largest of its kind, is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in the Napoleonic era. RON MCGUIGAN, from Canada, is a recognized specialist on the British Army of the period, who has been researching the era for forty years.

Review

..well- written book for anyone seeking to understand the role of their soldier ancestor in Wellington's Army" (FGS FORUM)

Edition details

• Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 184415484X
• ISBN 13: 9781844154845
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336