In 1814; after two successive years of defeat in Russia and central Europe; Napoleon was faced with the ultimate disaster - an Allied invasion of France itself. The conduct of the intense; fast-moving campaign that followed has been widely hailed as one of his greatest feats as a commander; yet it has rarely been described fully and objectively. Andrew Uffindell; in this gripping and original study; reconstructs the campaign; reassesses Napoleon's military leadership and provides a masterly account of a campaign that helped shape modern Europe.
#1202911 in Books Osprey Publishing 2004-11-11 2004-11-11Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 250.95 x .24 x 7.25l; #File Name: 184176810396 pages9781841768106
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Highly informative and well documented.By Patrick SelitrennyExcellent historic account of the siege of Bastogne. As usual; as with any books written and authored by Steven J. Zaloga; you can count on excellence. There are detailed maps; disposition of forces; photographic material and graphics that help to explain the events contained in this book. The text in itself is never boring but highly informative. Of course; if someone would like to go deeper into the subject at hand; there are other Books available; who may give a more thorough examination of the Battle. But for those who would like to have an immediate approach to it; this is the one to buy.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Christmas in Bastogne...By HMS WarspiteIn December 1944; Hitler elected to roll the dice in the West; scrapping together enough troops and tanks for one last offensive. His chosen point of attack: The Ardennes; the rough and forested ground in Belgium and northern Luxembourg. Facing the oncoming German offensive was the U.S. VIII Corps; holding a huge front with two battered veteran divisions and one very rookie division. The story of the battle that followed has become an epic of the Second World War."Battle of the Bulge 1944" is a two part Osprey Campaign Series entry; this review on Part Two; which covers the battle on the Southern edge of the Bulge; particularly the battle for the key crossroads town of Bastogne. The author is the experienced historian Steve Zaloga; illustrations are by Peter Dennis and Howard Gerrard. The narrative recaps some of the basics of the first book; but the focus is primarily on the offensives by the German Fifth and Seventh Armies and the American response. On the U.S. side; credit is given to the heroic fight of the outnumbered and outgunned 110 Infantry Regiment; which imposed just enough of a delay on the Germans to allow the 101st Airborne Division to reinforce Bastogne. The 101st famously held out in an encircled Bastogne; accompanied by a Combat Command of the 9th Armor Division and a variety of Corps artillery units. Other units played key roles as well; especially Patton's Third Army; which pivoted its direction of movement and attacked north in a most timely fashion. Despite the concise narrative; due diligence is provided on the mounting problems of the attacking Germans and the realization by their tactical leadership that opportunity was slipping away...The text included the expected comparison of opposing commanders; their armies; and their plans. The text is nicely supported by a good selection of period photographs; maps; battle diagrams; and illustrations. The narrative does a nice job of sorting out a confusing fight for the general reader in less than one hundred pages; while maintaining some of the natural suspense of the story. This book should be read in conjunction with the first volume for the best reading experience. Recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ONE OF OSPREY PUBLISHINGS BEST. IT BREAKS DOWN THE ORDER OF BATTLE FOR ...By IAN SAKURA 7ONE OF OSPREY PUBLISHINGS BEST. IT BREAKS DOWN THE ORDER OF BATTLE FOR THE BULGE IN A CLEAR AND CONCISE WAY. EVEN AN HISTORICAL NOVICE WOULD FIND THIS BOOK VERY INFORMATIVE.
