Fortresses of the Peninsular War 1808–14

In the course of the Peninsular War, Wellington's army fought several hard battles and smaller actions, but it was the bloody sieges that troubled him more than anything else. Indeed, the performance of his army during the sieges was probably the most disappointing aspect of what was otherwise an extremely successful campaign. Taking 1808 as its starting point, this title deals with the fortress sieges that involved Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army, and concentrates on four key sites in particular (Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Burgos and San Sebastián). All of these played a vital role in the war due to their strategically important positions. It documents both the sieges and the storming of the fortresses, as well as the general role of the fortresses in Spain and the impact they had on the thinking of the commanders and strategies of the armies involved.

About the author

Ian Fletcher has established a reputation as a Napoleonic historian of the first rank, particularly on the British army in the Peninsular. He has been widely published and among his several titles for Osprey are Elite 52 Wellington’s Foot Guards and Campaign 59 Vittoria 1813.

Summary

In the course of the Peninsular War, Wellington's army fought several hard battles and smaller actions, but it was the bloody sieges that troubled him more than anything else. Indeed, the performance of his army during the sieges was probably the most disappointing aspect of what was otherwise an extremely successful campaign. Taking 1808 as its starting point, this title deals with the fortress sieges that involved Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army, and concentrates on four key sites in particular (Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Burgos and San Sebastián). All of these played a vital role in the war due to their strategically important positions. It documents both the sieges and the storming of the fortresses, as well as the general role of the fortresses in Spain and the impact they had on the thinking of the commanders and strategies of the armies involved.

Product details

• Authors: Ian Fletcher
• Assisted by: Chris Taylor (Illustration)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.11.2003
• EAN: 9781841765778
• ISBN: 978-1-84176-577-8
• No. of pages: 64
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 7 mm
• Weight: 246 g
• Illustrations: 36 b/w; 18 col
• Series: Fortress
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Architecture, Europe, Spain, HISTORY / Europe / France, HISTORY / Military / Wars & Conflicts (Other), HISTORY / Military / Napoleonic Wars, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, Warfare & defence, c 1500 onwards to present day, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, Warfare and defence, Specific wars and campaigns, Early 19th century c 1800 to c 1850, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), Architecture: castles and fortifications