Osprey's study of the campaign at Marengo in 1800 during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815). Having returned from Egypt and seized power as First Consul; Napoleon led the Army of the Reserve against the Austrian Army besieging Genoa. After a period of skirmishing and manoeuvring; Melas; the Austrian commander; launched a surprise attack on the morning of 14 June. The attack initially drove the French back to Marengo village and; despite committing the Consular Guard; by 3pm the French were retreating. Believing he had won; the wounded Melas left the field to his Chief-of-Staff; Zach. The timely arrival of Desaix's Division led by Kellerman's cavalry and the 9e Légère threw the Austrians into confusion; turned the battle in Napoleon's favour; thus securing his position as First Consul. It could have been very different.
#1947554 in Books Greenhill Books 1999-10Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.35 x 6.40 x 9.48l; #File Name: 1853673684448 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Greatest Book on Waterloo - Period!By Loving Life MorePeter H. is the man for setting the record straight. Finally an account that doesn't cover Wellington with roses.A must for any serious student of the Napoleonic Wars. Its very detailed. He quotes from many diaries and war records to produce a work that will give you a better view of the campaign that what we usually see.5 of 14 people found the following review helpful. The Decisive Prussian ElementBy W. B. SmithThis book is the second volume of Peter Hofschroer's work on the Waterloo Campaign from the Prussian point of view. As expected it carries on where the first volume finishes. The opening chapters cover the retreat of the Prussians from Ligny; their remarkable quick recovery from this defeat and the inadequate pursuit by the French on either the Prussians or British. ( in fact the French had lost contact with the Prussians). The author then describes the difficulties facing the Prussians in their march to join forces with Wellington; the key fighting at Waterloo around La Sainte; Papelotte; Plancenoit and the massive cavalry charges at Wellington's centre. The Prussians gave enough breathing space for Wellington to reinforce his centre as well as causing Napoleon to divert considerable forces to cover his flank. In fact Napoleon is defeated by the Allies using his own style of strategy and tactics ie a massive flanking manoeuvre. The author tries to convince the reader that the Prussians were the decisive factor at the Battle of Waterloo and indeed the entire campaign. Subsequent chapters provide further weight behind this argument and cover the fighting around Wavre; the vigorous pursuit of Napoleon's defeated army which gave the French no opportunity to rally and reform and the Fortress seiges; all of which were almost entirely a Prussian affair.Overall I thought this was a very good book with strong arguments and evidence to suggest that the Waterloo Campaign was ultimately a German victory (although some previous reviewers have rejected these arguments outright). I would recommend that both volumes of Peter Hofschroer's work be read together.1 of 4 people found the following review helpful. 'Old Boney'By Tom L.I think it was the actor Christopher Plummer playing the Duke of Wellington who; at the height of the Battle of Waterloo film says: "If Blucher and his Germans don't arrive soon; I've a good mind to march down this hill and whip old Boney myself." That's been the general view of the battle by English historians for almost 200 years now. This book dispels that notion. There are more German allies than British in Wellington's army and its Blucher's Prussian army that carries the day.Lots of details like various march orders tend to slow the book down to a crawl; especially after the battle when the day by day doings of every brigade just becomes tedious to read.
