ebooks Battle of Maida 1806 by Richard Hopton in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent study of a pivotal battleBy JerryAlthough concise; this book provides a well researched analysis of an often overlooked battle that bolstered the moral of the allies and helped the British secure a strategic position in the Mediterranean. The writer is more interested in clearly communicating the cause and impact of the particular event than self promotion which is much appreciated. I recommend it to any person who focuses on this period in history as it is only one piece of the larger puzzle but if read in isolation; looses significance.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. An Influential Little Battle in the Middle of NowhereBy A. A. NofiA summary of the Review on StrategyPage.Com'On July 4; 1806; a small army of some 2;500 British troops defeated a French force of about twice its size in a brief battle on the western coast of Calabria; the ‘toe’ of Italy. While seemingly a minor affair; this action was nevertheless of enormous importance; for it marked the first time British troops had defeated the French in the long wars that had begun more than a decade earlier. British historian Hopton opens by fitting the battle into the larger picture of the French Wars; then passes from grand strategy to the movements of the small forces involved in the campaign in Naples in 1805-1806; Neapolitan and Russian as well as British and French. He then discusses the battle in some detail; demonstrating that both sides employed flexible tactics; clearly refuting the older view (rejected even by its most famous advocate; Oman) that the famous French assault columns shattered against the steady British line. Hopton concludes with a discussion of the implications of the battle. An important revisionist look at an iconic action.'For the full review; see StrategyPage.Com1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Redcoats Visit Sunny ItalyBy Fife and DrummerNice; needed history of the little-known Maida campaign in Calabria (the "toe" of the Italian boot) in 1806 (post-Austerlitz and Trafalgar; pre-Jena-Auerstadt). Fills a gap in Napoleonic Wars campaign studies. The book starts with a lengthy; albeit necessary overview chapter of how the 3rd Coalition was formed; and how the British and Russians became involved with supporting the Kingdom of Two Sicilies against French invasion.The British strategic goal was to hold Sicily and retain its useful ports for the Royal Navy. The French strategic goal was to take Sicily to prevent such use. For French General Regnier; the Straits of Messina were a barrier - for General Stuart and the Royal Navy; a highway.When the French forces became divided and dispersed by the siege of Gaeta and a hellacious home-grown insurgency in Calabria; General John Stuart saw an opportunity to strike a blow; a sort of "preemptive defense" of Sicily; so the British landed a small but well-drilled army on the north Calabrian coast.Mr. Hopton's description of Maida's course and his analysis of decisions made are both excellent; while weaving in the few surviving eyewitness accounts. An overconfident Regnier was certain of victory; and did Stuart a favor by leaving a good defensive position and attacking him in the open field.The author also makes a convincing case that the French attacked in line (with inadequate artillery or skirmisher support); not in column; as has often been supposed. The disciplined British infantry proved quite lethal - a fact not widely known in 1806; prior to Wellington's campaigns in the Peninsula.Nice Pen Sword edition; black cloth with gold lettering; nice hefty pages; a few illustrations. Several good maps at the strategic; operational; and tactical levels.