Featured battle : Roncesvalles Pass

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 25 July 1813

After Vitoria Wellington had spread his forces to cover two sieges and the passes over the Pyrenees [see Maya Pass]. At Roncesvalles General Cole had 13,000 men including Morillo's Spanish Division. Soult with his main force of 40,000 men sent two strong columns, under Reille and Clausel, onto the plateaux either side of the main road. The British were in excellent defensive positions and Clausel's column was held for four hours by General Byng's Brigade, [odds of almost ten to one]. Heavy late afternoon fog came down and Cole, contrary to his orders to 'hold to the utmost' decided to withdraw on Pamplona. This he did under cover of fog and darkness.

Grouchy's Waterloo

Andrew W. Field
Very early on in this book the author endeared himself to me with two statements. On page 6 he expresses his intention not to name any places without including them on a map. As one who hates having to read with a map open by my side I applaud this notion in spite of the fact that he doesn't always succeed in mapping every place all though the book. On page 12 he refers readers elsewhere for the lead up to Waterloo stating that there is to a plethora of fine books on the subject. Again I was both surprised and pleased to find a 'Waterloo' book that did not start with Napoleon's escape from Elba.
The book is written from a factual rather than a judgmental position with many insertions of contemporary and post event quotations from reports and diaries. However the last chapter 'Analysis and Conclusions' , where he does discuss the key controversies, is particularly worthy of note.
My overall opinion is that the research has been thorough, the style of writing clear and lucid with many maps and illustrations. A book not to be put down until it is finished. Very highly recommended.
Pen & Sword Military. Pen & Sword \Books \Ltd., 2017