Waterloo Commanders

Waterloo is one of the most famous battles in history and it has given rise to a vast and varied literature. The strategy and tactics of the battle and the entire Waterloo campaign have been analysed at length. The commanders, manoeuvres and critical episodes, and the intense experiences of the men who took part, have all been recorded in minute detail. But the organization, structure and fighting strength of the armies that fought in the battle have received less attention, and this is the subject of Philip Haythornthwaite's detailed, authoritative and engaging study. Through a close description of the structure and personnel of each of the armies he builds up a fascinating picture of their makeup, their methods and their capabilities. The insight he offers into the contrasting styles and national characteristics of the forces that came together on the Waterloo battlefield gives a fresh perspective on the extraordinary clash of arms that ended the Napoleonic era

Recent research into the Duke of Wellington's armies during the Peninsular War and the Waterloo campaign has enhanced our understanding of the men he led, and this new biographical guide to his brigade commanders is a valuable contribution to this growing field. Ron McGuigan and Robert Burnham have investigated the lives and careers of a group of men who performed a vital role in Wellington's chain of command. These officers were the brigadiers and major generals who, for a variety of reasons, never made the jump to become permanent division commanders. Their characters, experience and level of competence were key factors in the successes and failures of the army as a whole. Their biographies give us a fascinating insight into their individual backgrounds, their strengths and weaknesses, and the makeup of the society they came from. Each biography features a table covering essential information on the individual, his birth and death dates, the dates of his promotions and details of his major commands. This is followed by a concise account of his life and service.

What better way to 'read' the momentous Battle of Waterloo than to follow the movements of the main military commanders on that fateful day (18 June 1815). For the British side of the action, we dog the footsteps, and learn about the decisions and actions of The Duke of Wellington. For the French perspective we follow both Napoleon Bonaparte and his right-hand man Marshal Ney, who in fact played the more critical role.

What better way to 'read' the momentous Battle of Waterloo than to follow the movements of the main military commanders on that fateful day (18 June 1815). For the British side of the action, we dog the footsteps, and learn about the decisions and actions of The Duke of Wellington. For the French perspective we follow both Napoleon Bonaparte and his right-hand man Marshal Ney, who in fact played the more critical role.

Includes over 100 maps of the actions, engagements and battles of the entire Peninsular War. “The men who stood beside the Great Duke The Duke of Wellington was indisputably one of the most able military commanders in British history. He was not only a powerful intellect, but also a man of substantial character...To Wellington, delegation failed to come easily...He insisted on a knowledge of all things that might concern him and was prepared to issue directives on all matters. It is then, unsurprising that he eclipsed his immediate subordinates, senior figures and highly respected commanders in their own right, who were often given little latitude, and were regularly not fully briefed as to Wellington’s strategy and grand tactics; for example, at Waterloo, amid flying shot, the duke terrified his staff by appearing to be the only person in possession of the plan of battle. All this, however, does nothing to diminish the clear contribution many of those closest to the Great Duke made towards the success of his campaigns. While having lessons to learn from Wellington they were more than capable military men-if not actually possessed of quite the same degree of military ‘genius’ as their commander in chief. This book chronicles eight of Wellington’s lieutenants as they fought for him in the Peninsula and at Waterloo. Lord ‘Daddy’ Hill earned his nickname because of his extraordinary concern for the well-being of his soldiers; he was Wellington’s most trusted general and was, unusually, given independent command by Wellington. The fiery Craufurd, leader of the Light Division, could always be depended upon to take the fight to the enemy-sometimes whether it was prudent to do so or not. Picton, the hard swearing Welshman...Accounts of the campaigns and actions of these notable soldiers are joined in this riveting book by those of Beresford, Lynedoch, Hopetoun, Anglesey and Combermere.”-Print ed.