Featured battle : Custozza

Part of Austro-Prussian "Seven Week" war

Date : 24 June 1866

The forces of La Marmora advanced across the Mincio river into Venetia aiming to attack the Austrians under Archduke Albert in the Quadrilateral fortresses of north Italy. Albert however had prepared his troops well in advance and had the upper hand in intelligence. The overconfident Italians advanced without sending out a cavalry screen and the brigades became mixed, then ran straight into the leading brigades of the prepared Austrians. Brigades were thrown in piecemeal and badly coordinated with the Austrians being hard-pressed, but repelling and counter-attacking. A gallant cavalry charge against a reserve column began the rout, which became general. The Italians were driven back across the river and out of Venetia.

The Very Thing

Jonathan Crook
The title neatly sums up my opinion of this book it is the very thing for anyone with a keen interest in Napoleonic soldiering. Part of the long military history of the Royal Welch Fusiliers is told through the memoirs of Drummer Richard Bentinck from 1807 to 1823. The story travels from Copenhagen to North America to the Peninsular and finally to Waterloo and the occupation of France. We get a fascinating insight into the life of the ordinary British soldier not all saint and not all sinner
A thoroughly good read which I cannot recommend too highly.
Frontline Books, Pen & Sword Ltd., 2011