British Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815

by Philip Haythornthwaite, Steve Noon (Illustrator)

Overview

The British Army that faced Napoleon in the Peninsula was small by continental standards, but it consistently out-fought larger French armies, never losing a major open-field action. Its cavalry and artillery were standard; but its infantry achieved unique results, as their tactics were brought to a peak of professional perfection by Wellington. Using contemporary instruction manuals, first-hand accounts and in-depth analysis of individual actions, this book examines exactly how Wellington was able to convert a rabble of volunteers and criminals into a well-oiled, highly disciplined and professional war-winning machine. With a detailed look at the effective use of terrain, line rather than column manoeuvres and fortification assaults, Philip Haythornthwaite reveals the crucial tactics of Wellington's army, illustrated with comprehensive maps, images and full-colour artwork.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780967547
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/20/2012
Series:	Elite , #164
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Philip Haythornthwaite is an internationally respected author and historical consultant specialising in the military history, uniforms and equipment of the 18th and 19th centuries. His main area of research covers the Napoleonic Wars. He has written some 40 books, including more than 20 Osprey titles, and innumerable articles and papers on military history - but still finds time to indulge in his other great passion, cricket.

Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art college in Cornwall. He has had a life-long passion for illustration, and since 1985 has worked as a professional artist. Steve has provided award-winning illustrations for renowned publishers Dorling Kindersley, where his interest in historical illustration began.
Philip Haythornthwaite is an internationally respected author and historical consultant specializing in the military history, uniforms and equipment of the 18th and 19th centuries. His main area of research covers the Napoleonic Wars. He has written some 40 books, including more than 20 Osprey titles, and numerous articles and papers on military history – but still finds time to indulge in his other great passion, cricket.
Steve Noon was born in Kent, UK, and attended art college in Cornwall. He's had a life-long passion for illustration, and since 1985 has worked as a professional artist. He has provided award-winning illustrations for the publishers Dorling Kindersley, where his interest in historical illustration began. Steve has illustrated over 70 books for Osprey.

Table of Contents

Introduction: 'That Article'     3
The Manuals     4
The lack of a unified system
David Dundas' Principles of Military Movement - criticisms - amendments
The Battalion     10
Organization
Marching and Formations     12
Movement in column - the line: three ranks or two? - the square
Command and control: word of mouth - drums and bugles
The Musket     22
The technical and human limitations
Firing
Light Infantry     27
Application in the Field     32
Theory versus experience
Line versus column
The bayonet charge
Brigade Tactics     48
Special Operations     52
Storming
Amphibious operations
Select Bibliography     58
Plate Commentaries     59
Source Notes     63
Index     64

Editorial Reviews

The British Army that faced Napoleion in the Peninsula was small by continental standards, but it consistently out-fought larger French armies, never losing a major open-field action. Its cavalry and artillery were standard — but its infantry achieved unique results, as their tactics were brought to the peak of professional perfection by Wellington.” —Game Trade Magazine (April 2008)

From the Publisher