Featured battle : Mantua, second siege of

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 24 August 1796 - 02 February 1797

The Austrian Garrison suffered enormous privations and many died of sickness rather than by the actions of the enemy. The relief column of the 15th September 1796, lead by Würmser, had failed to relieve but had been forced into the fortress. On the 16th January 1797 a relief column under Provera supported by a strong sally from the fortress again failed to relieve Mantua and the surrender came on the 2nd February. Würmser, his staff and 700 men were allowed to march out free with six guns. The remainder of the Garrison about 20,000 men marched out with honours of war paroled not to fight again until exchanged. The French took 325 Austrian guns and recaptured 179 of their own guns.

Wellington and the British Army's Indian Campaigns 1798-1805

Martin R. Howard
Between 1798 and 1805 the British army plus large numbers of native troops made enormous gains in the conquest of India. Arthur Wellesley played a large part in the campaigns and this book tells that story. He took chances, he tried different tactics, he honed principles which he later developed in the Peninsular. When to move at speed, manoeuvre on the battlefield, dig in, lie down, and keep the men supplied with all their needs were all worked out and tested during his Indian period. In all this luck was on his side. To those who are familiar with Wellington’s later campaigns the book’s final sentence ‘India had been the making of him.’ rings true. But this book is about more than Wellington, it is a very good introduction to the nature of conquest especially in the application of ‘divide and rule’. Additionally for many it will be an eye opener on the power and influence of the East India Company at this time.
A jolly good read with a super set of illustrations and the best, most informative, set of maps, all with Northings and scales, that I have seen in a very long time.
We highly recommend this to a wide range of readers.

Pen & Sword Military, 2020