Featured battle : Willems

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 10 May 1794

A strong Coalition cavalry force attacked and the French infantry formed squares [the first time this manoeuvre had been executed successfully]. The Coalition then brought up artillery and raked the squares with grape. Cavalry then charged and three of the squares were broken. This is one of the three battles that make up the battle of Courtray 10,11 & 12th May 1794. See Courtray and Ingelmunster.

Tank Attack at Monte Cassino

Jeffery Plowman
The action to take tanks up the mountain rarely gets a mention in most books about the battles for Monte Cassino. When you read this book you will understand why. In conception it was a brilliant idea and had it been properly directed could have been an important event towards hurrying the end of the fight. The lower echelons fought with skill, tenacity, ingenuity and bravery trying to make something of the attack. Poor cooperation, coordination and communication between senior officers brought about a failure which cost a lot of lives and tanks. Tanks sent in without artillery and infantry is Ney at Waterloo and the senior officers broke their own pre-set conditions to do just that.
The author, Jeffery Plowman, has divided the book in three parts, setting the scene, the action, and the site today. The first two parts are superb and, although I haven’t used the site visit section, the up to date photographs would be of great help to anyone who does.
The maps are most helpful with both scales and Northings. The photographs scattered through the book support the text. The extensive bibliography points the way to further reading.
This is a book which is an enjoyable read although the story it tells is, once again, one of lions led by donkeys. We thoroughly recommend it.

Pen & Sword Military, 2020