August Schaumann was a natural born storyteller. He describes his Peninsular adventures so vividly that you get the feeling that you are there; riding next to him dodging French cavalry patrols and conquering the hearts and bodies of Spanish and Portuguese ladies. But who was August Schaumann? He was born in Hanover in 1778. At the age of 16 he was compelled to join the army against his will; but he eventually rose through the ranks to the rank of junior-subaltern. In 1799 his father; a severe and harsh man; removed his son from the army and procured him a position at the postal service. In 1803 he left his home in Hanover and proceeded to England where he was employed as a clerk at a Newcastle firm. In 1807 he decided to move to Russia. He never made it there because heavy storms forced him to take refuge in Goteborg; Sweden. Here too he found a brief employment as a clerk. When the English fleet sailed back to England after its Swedish expedition in 1808 August boarded one of its ships and was taken to England to start a new career as war commissary in the King's German Legion.'On the 28th August 1808 August Schaumann set foot on the shores of Maceira Bay in Portugal. From here on he tells us in great detail and in a style that captivates the reader about his Peninsular adventures. As a war commissary Schaumann saw; did; and lived it all. Not only does he tell us about his perilous and difficult duties as a commissary; but he also tells us about his numerous romantic adventures and about life in Spanish and Portuguese billets. Because he was a keen observer and a great storyteller he was able to describe some of the great battles of the Peninsular War and the invasion of France in 1814. He also describes the gruesome retreat from Coruna; the endless marches and counter marches; and the hardships that the common soldiers had to endure in a way that puts you; the reader; right in the middle of it. August ended his military career in 1816 and returned to his native town of Hanover where he obtained a post as civil servant. He died in 1840.'I have enjoyed these memoirs very much. Not only because they give a very precise and clear picture of the military operations that Schaumann was involved in; but also --and foremost-- because they give an insight into aspects of the Napoleonic Wars that don't get much attention in other memoirs. I am referring to the logistic problems that all Napoleonic and in particular the British army faced in those days and how the civilian population of Spain and Portugal lived and coped during this dark period of their history.
#2865219 in Books Pen Sword 2007-03-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.25 x 7.50l; 1.56 #File Name: 1844154556272 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The Skua; a run what ya' brung airplaneBy JCALThe dichotomy of so many of the previous reviews is interesting. Several complain about the how mundane the Skua was while other complain there was too much technical detail in the book.It's important to remember the era in which the Skua was conceived and built. The Skua is the perfect representation of the Fleet Air Arm and Blackburn in the late 1930's. The FAA was seeking a transitional all metal do-it all aircraft within the restrictions imposed by budgets;politics and the RAF while Blackburn had the ability to build aircraft that exactly met customer specifications. (Not always a good thing; given the number of failed designs they produced.)The result was the Skua.As far as the complaints of too much detail? Don't read the sections that aren't of interest to you.Considering the overall performance of the Skua; it's accomplishments and length of service are quite amazing. The Skua was there for the FAA to develop dive bombing tactics; provided the initial cadre of trained pilots; and was in service when it was needed.Highly recommended as a volume on the Skua; as a prewar and early war history of the FAA.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Ok book on a very limited subject - worth a full book; maybe not so muchBy Jonathan MattsonMr Smith's books are always interesting. He sure drives his personal viewpoint home. It is kind of interesting to see his strong opinions on a plane that really seems to do not much besides bombs one cruiser. Otherwise just seems like a mediocre dive bomber/horrible fighter just finding it's limited niche. But he does a good job giving the history of this plane. You learn about the long development period; how once it was finally completed just how obselete it was. Its always a shame to have to read how good men were forced to make virtual suicide missions in such horrible planes. Some parts of the book are good to read; but after the norway campaign it gets very repetitive (planes fly scouting missions from this carrier or from that carrier and do not much combat)1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Finally; a book on this neglected type.By o. migillicuddyHundreds of titles on Mustang; Spitfire and ME109; finally we see about a minor actor. An interesting book about a little known aircraft that could have been much better used had there not been so much infighting withing the ranks of the RAF. It is an object lesson on the dangers of bureaucratic empire building. The Skua was a weapon that; properly wielded; could have done so much more; as England's aircraft carriers; like those of other nations; are only as good as the aircraft embarked. One wonders how much could have been done to close the Mid Ocean Gap had the RAF really cooperated with equipping the Fleet Air Arm. It also speaks to the virtues of a separate naval air force. There is a photo that gives one pause - What kind of thinking put the fuel tanks in the cockpit between the pilot and the observer-gunner? Ahh; well; all aircraft have their weaknesses!
