The author has challenged some of the myths and legends of Wellington and the uncritical accounts that have been published. The choice of Wellington to command was not overwhelmingly supported by Horseguards, but his victories placed him in a category of his own during the Napoleonic Wars – Highly Recommended.
NAME: Wellington's Command, A Reappraisal of his Generalship in the Peninsula and At Waterloo FILE: R3064 AUTHOR: G E Jaycock PUBLISHER: Pen and Sword BINDING: hard back PRICE: £25.0 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: Europe, Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, Spain, French Armies, Marshals of France, Wellesley, Lord Wellington, Peninsula Campaigns, invasion of France, Napoleon, Waterloo, Allied Armies
ISBN: 1-52673-353-6
PAGES: 248 IMAGE: B3064.jpg BUYNOW: tinyurl.com/yjr3vrld LINKS: DESCRIPTION: The author has challenged some of the myths and legends of Wellington and the uncritical accounts that have been published. The choice of Wellington to command was not overwhelmingly supported by Horseguards, but his victories placed him in a category of his own during the Napoleonic Wars – Highly Recommended. The rise of Wellington in many respects ran against the traditional practices of Horseguards. Some undoubtedly expected him to fail in Portugal and he was certainly opposed by a much larger enemy force of seasoned French troops. The British force included many criminals, given a choice of hanging or taking the King's Shilling. Wellington himself remarked several times that he was not sure what his men did to the French, but they terrified him. Against all the odds, he welded together his mixed force of British and Portuguese troops and fought a brilliant campaign against the French, where he managed to keep the French Armies separated, avoiding defeat by a very much larger enemy. At Waterloo, Wellington was not the first choice for commander in chief, many suggesting the Prince of Orange be given the position, but Wellington won out and again managed to weld together a collection of Allies. As in Portugal, he also walked the ground and chose the point of battle, drawing information from agents and reconnaissance patrols. The author has presented a well-researched and reasoned review of Wellington the commander. Some may question assertions that challenge previous wisdom but the author has presented his proofs and reasoning convincingly. There is a modest by helpful photo-plate section in support of the text.