To commemorate the 200th anniversaries of his career; a team of military historians assess Napoleon. The first part of the book is made up of a series of reports on the military actions; from his earliest commands to his death on St Helena. This is followed by studies on his motivationary abilities; his tactical strengths and weaknesses; comparison of him with the enemies he fought and a summary of the words and sayings he left behind.
#1927887 in Books Frontline Books 2010-07-19 2010-08-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.30 x 6.50l; 1.45 #File Name: 184832541X288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. ... concise layout has gathered the German accounts together nicely. These German accounts are often more honest and ...By Wade KGareth's clear concise layout has gathered the German accounts together nicely. These German accounts are often more honest and open in their weaknesses than British accounts; and so make for a more true account of action on the field during the 100 days campaign. A "must have" for any Waterloo enthusiast as are the others in the series.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. BrilliantBy geegeewaterlooArmchair General Review 2 Sep 2010All in all a good collection of reminiscences especially on the accounts of the Artillery on occasion running out of ammunition and having to retire to replenish from the ammunition wagons that were placed to the rear; which might go some way to explain why Wellington thought that some of the artillery was fleeing the field. there is also scathing accounts of battalion musicians and doctors running away (seeing as they are the ones that look after the wounded post battle; I would say bugger off but don't go too far)Letter 28; 1st Hanoverian Brigade of Major General Kielmansegge (Bell-Alliance); mentions that a cuirassier Colonel; staff officer; and other officers were taken prisoner during the main cavalry attacks but does not give any more information on the name the Colonel; or which unit it was that captured him.Also within the same brigade was the plight of the 1st Nassau regiment;(960 strong) who were made up ¾ of conscripts and had no formation drill training so were drawn up in close column throughout the day and thus were shot to pieces artillery and skirmisher fire. Of course they broke on more than one occasion but; `as described by Captain C von Scriba; in his letter dated 4th December 1824; were brought back to their original position each time by the determination and bravery of their officers. Even though they were unsteady throughout the day I think that the whole regiment did a brave and dedicated job on that day. The Bremen and Verden battalions also yielded 300 paces but still managed to stay in its final position which was just in front of the cavalry lines.Most of the letters go into how (as reported by other correspondence from regiments of other nationalities) it was the French artillery; and here and there; the skirmishers; that in general caused the vast majority of the casualties; and that it was considered a rest period when the cavalry attacked as the artillery and skirmishers had to cease fire so as not to hit their own men.There is the intriguing account of the Hanoverian Peine and Hildesheim battalions of an incident which involved Major Count von Westphalia (No89; letter to Colonel von Vincke dated 1st July 1815?) In which he describes his reason for retiring to a position on the highway to Waterloo.... Well; I will leave that part for those who are about to buy the book; to read.All in all; well worth the money.
