Featured battle : Villach

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 24 August 1813

A crucial position in this campaign was the town of Villach and its bridge over the river Drau. The French held it, then for some inexplicable reason gave it up. The small Austrian force then fought off all attempts to recapture it. Their use of cannister against the French attacking in column was particularly devastating.

Tribals, Battles and Darings

Alexander Clarke
Here is a mass of information about a very special group of Royal Navy ships. They were the first generation of general purpose destroyers developed when accepted understanding was that destroyers were built to fulfil particular roles. The intention was to create a ship which could undertake many of a cruiser’s functions in a destroyer package with consequent savings in materials and manning. The book covers their conception, creation and actions. All classes do not get equal treatment as there is a strong bias towards Tribals. This is understandable as they were the first of the breed and saw the most action.
The narrative flows and is most readable, the photographs, of high quality, are many and varied and the whole is supported by a set of notes and a very extensive bibliography.
A super read which we highly recommend.

Seaforth Publishing, 2022