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British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars
British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars
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Description
In an age when infantry units maneuvered and fought in rigid blocks, the idea of encouraging initiative and allowing a unit to "skirmish" was regarded as revolutionary and fell out of favor in the years following the French-Indian and American Revolutionary wars. It was revived by far-sighted British and foreign-mercenary officers, who observed the way in which French Revolutionary armies deployed skirmishers to prepare the way for their assault columns.
Offering a detailed analysis of tactics, this book is studded with period "battle descriptions" quoted from eye-witness accounts, creating a comprehensive guide to the Light and Rifles units of Wellington's Light Division. As the result of the first tentative experiments in skirmishing the units achieved an unsurpassed peak of efficiency--they marched faster, were versatile in any sort of tactical situation, and could shoot more accurately than either friend or foe. No other national army, either allied or enemy, achieved these standards.
Table of Contents
The challenge – development of tirailleur tactics by the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic armies
Creation of the Rifle units (Experimental Corps of Riflemen; 60th Royal Americans; 95th Rifle Brigade) – creation of the Light Infantry companies within Line battalions – creation of Light Infantry regiments: 43rd, 51st, 52nd, 68th, 71st, 85th & 90th
Doctrine and training: de Rottenberg, Manningham, and Sir John Moore – the Shorncliffe method
Integration of Rifles into infantry formations
Campaign history, from Toulon (1793) to Waterloo (1815), with quoted examples: the Light Division in the Peninsula – evolution of tactics through battlefield experience
Product details
| Published | Oct 18 2016 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 64 |
| ISBN | 9781472816061 |
| Imprint | Osprey Publishing |
| Illustrations | 40 b/w; 13 col |
| Dimensions | 248 x 184 mm |
| Series | Elite |
| Short code | ELI 215 |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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