Overview

Wellington's clash with Massena was one of the most remarkable contests between two commanders in the Peninsular War. These two formidable generals carried on a campaign of manoeuvre, battle and attrition across Spain and Portugal in 1810 and 1811 which had a decisive impact on the outcome of the war. Wellington's reputation was enhanced, Massena's was ruined. David Buttery's close analysis of this extraordinary encounter offers a penetrating insight into the personalities of these two outstanding soldiers. Using a variety of sources, in particular eyewitness accounts from both sides, he reassesses the famous confrontations at Ciudad Rodrigo, Almeida, Busaco, the lines of Torres Vedras and the final bitterly fought battle at Fuentes de Onoro. He sheds new light on this pivotal episode in the Napoleonic Wars and his account corrects the one-sided view of the campaign that has survived to the present day. In particular he reconsiders the true cost of the scorched earth policy that was employed against the French. AUTHOR: David Buttery is an expert on nineteenth century British military history and the British empire, and he has made special study of the Peninsular War. He has worked in newspapers and in an oral history archive, and he has published extensively in many of the leading military history periodicals including the Victorian Military Society's journal and Military Illustrated.

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9781844155545

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... offers insight into the personalities of these two extraordinary commanders and detailed analysis of their confrontations... --Book News, Inc.

Author Information

David Buttery has established a reputation as a leading historian of nineteenth-century British military history and he has made a particular study of the Napoleonic and Crimean Wars. He has worked as a tour guide for several companies and has led tours of the Waterloo campaign battlefields. His most recent books are Wellington Against Massena: The Third Invasion of Portugal 1810-1811, Messenger of Death: Captain Nolan and the Charge of the Light Brigade, Wellington Against Junot: The First Invasion of Portugal 1807-1808 and Wellington Against Soult: The Second Invasion of Portugal 1809.

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