Napoleonic Library NAPOLEON’S SHIELD AND GUARDIAN
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Napoleonic Library MARCH OF DEATH Sir John Moore’s Retreat to Corunna 1808-1809
£19.99 £4.99
This is the first major study of the Corunna Campaign in English in 35 years, it brings the campaign to life drawing heavily on English primary sources to describe the initial hopes and optimism of the soldiers, their frustration and disgust with their commander for being ordered to retreat without fighting the French, and then to paint vividly the hardships they endured during the retreat.Although no major battles were fought until the end, when the British won at Corunna, the author does a superb job describing the numerous skirmishes and combats between the British rear guard and the French advance guard. Many pages are devoted to the two most famous events of the campaign — defeat of the Chasseurs of the Imperial Guard at Benavente (and the capture of General Lefebvre-Desnouettes) and the death of General Colbert at Cacabellos (who was killed by Private Plunkett of the 95th Rifles in an exhibition of superb marksmanship.)
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Description
In the bitter winter of 1808, a small British force found itself outnumbered and out-manouevered by a French army led by Emperor Napoleon. Faced with a crushing defeat, the British, commanded by Sir John Moore, turned and marched through the mountains of northern Spain. Casting away baggage and supplies, the little army retreated through desolate mountain passes before reaching Corunna with the French at their heels. There they turned and fought, before embarking for Britain and safety. However, as in every epic, there was great loss. Sir John Moore, gallant, respected and honourable, fell at the moment of victory. March of Death is the story of a terrible retreat through the eyes of those who were there and survived. Relating the horrific ordeal through excerpts from survivors diaries, letters, memoirs and reports, this narrative brings to life the heroism and glory of a real fight for survival. Without doubt, few episodes of British military history have been as dramatic as Sir John Moore s retreat to Corunna. The author does a superb job describing the numerous skirmishes and combats between the British rear guard and the French advance guard … The story rivals any medieval epic. Robert Burnham, Napoleonic Series
Additional information
| Author/Editor | Christopher Summerville |
|---|---|
| Product Code | 25967 |
| Delivery | This item is usually dispatched Next Day |
| Format | Hardback, 256 pages |
| ISBN | 9781848328303 |
