Osprey Trade Editions : Salamanca 1812

Salamanca was the most decisive battle of the entire Peninsular War. Wellington smashed Marmont's French Army and his pursuit of its shattered remnants led to the famous cavalry charge of the King's German Legion at Garcia Hernandez. There would be two more years of sieges and hard fighting before the Iron Duke crossed the Pyrenees into France but from Salamanca the British and their Portuguese and Spanish allies always had the upper hand. Ian Fletcher examines this important battle and the campaign leading up to it. The retreat to the lines of Torres Vedras and the stormings of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badojaz are recounted. This background having been given Fletcher then examines Wellington's progress from this time onwards until the battle of Salamanca itself, which is explained in painstaking detail. Each stage of the battle is studied, and its result explained: Fletcher shows how Thomieres failed to support Maucune, instead marching west under the impression that Wellington's forces had also moved off. This left a considerable gap in the French lines which Wellington, having recognised his opponents' mistake, exploited with great success. An excellent book, crucial to all those who want to understand one of Wellington's greatest victories. Illustrations by Bill Younghusband.