Featured battle : Laon

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 09 March 1814 - 10 March 1814

In spite of being beaten at Craonne Napoleon pursued the Allied force which was withdrawing in good order towards a concentration point at Laon. Once at Laon Blücher stood, choosing his ground on a high steep ridge. Napoleon launched a series of probing attacks but had had no success when darkness fell. Marmont's force [VI Corps and I Cavalry Corps] had been approaching during the day and when darkness came halted some distance from the main force. Blücher attacked Marmont overnight and drove him away. Timidity in the face of Napoleon prevented the Allies from totally crushing the French. After a day of light engagements the French fell back owards Soissons.

Wellington and the British Army's Indian Campaigns 1798-1805

Martin R. Howard
Between 1798 and 1805 the British army plus large numbers of native troops made enormous gains in the conquest of India. Arthur Wellesley played a large part in the campaigns and this book tells that story. He took chances, he tried different tactics, he honed principles which he later developed in the Peninsular. When to move at speed, manoeuvre on the battlefield, dig in, lie down, and keep the men supplied with all their needs were all worked out and tested during his Indian period. In all this luck was on his side. To those who are familiar with Wellington’s later campaigns the book’s final sentence ‘India had been the making of him.’ rings true. But this book is about more than Wellington, it is a very good introduction to the nature of conquest especially in the application of ‘divide and rule’. Additionally for many it will be an eye opener on the power and influence of the East India Company at this time.
A jolly good read with a super set of illustrations and the best, most informative, set of maps, all with Northings and scales, that I have seen in a very long time.
We highly recommend this to a wide range of readers.

Pen & Sword Military, 2020