Napoleon's line infantry was founded upon that of the Ancien Regime. A total re-organisation began on 1 January 1791 with the abolition of the old regimental titles, and over the next two years an increasing number of conscript and volunteer battalions were formed. Their quality varied from the proficiency of the early National Guard regiments to the untrained and ill-equipped rabble of the levee. To combine the discipline and steadiness of the regular army with the revolutionary fervour of the new army, the Amalgame was decreed on 21 February; by this measure each regular battalion became...

This title looks at Napoleon's Middle and Young Guard infantry. The seniority of Guard infantry was only established definitely in 1812 by the Guard's chief of personnel, Courtois. The title 'Young Guard' was assigned to the newly-raised regiments in 1809, but the term 'Middle Guard' came into use about 1811. From the beginning the newer guard regiments were committed to action first, the Old Guard, as Napoleon wrote, 'being so precious, one fears to expose them'; thus the Fusiliers-Chasseurs distinguished themselves at Hilsberg whilst the rest of the Guard was kept in reserve. In 1808 the...

In 1823 Texas was opened to American settlement; over the next 12 years thousands took advantage of the opportunity. During this time the corrupt Santa Anna rose to power. A dishonest and ruthless politician, thief, compulsive gambler, opium addict and liar, he nevetheless gained a measure of popular support and set about destroying federalism. Conflict with the American settlers ('Texians') became inevitable, a conflict which included the legendary Battle of the Alamo. Philip Haythornwaite covers the story of the War of Texan Independence (1835-1936)in a volume backed by a wealth of...

One of the Duke of Wellington's officers once remarked, "We would rather see his long nose in the sight than a reinforcement of ten thousand men." Arthur Wellesley, first duke of Wellington (1769 1852), was one of the greatest military commanders in history and is best known as the successful opponent at Waterloo of arguably the leading general of all time, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Although Waterloo is the battle most associated with Wellington, his career was much wider. He gained his first military experience in the Netherlands in 1793-94 in an unsuccessful campaign that taught him, as he...

Victory or defeat on the Napoleonic battlefield was dependent on the skills, reactions and personalities of individual commanders. Even under a military genius such as Bonaparte, the dispersal of his armies on campaign and the lack of fast communications left command and control of the different corps and divisions in the hands of his marshals and generals. Illustrating the appearance of more than two dozen of Napoleon's leading colleagues and subordinate commanders, this first in a pair of Elite titles describes in concise but colourful detail their careers and personalities in the...

The Gallipoli expedition of 1915, the brainchild of Winston Churchill, was designed to knock the Turkish Empire out of the First World War and open a supply route to Russia. The campaign is characterised by the military incompetence of the higher commands, particularly the Allies. However, in spite of this, Gallipoli deserves to be, and is, also remembered for the heroism and resourcefulness of both the British army and the men of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This book details the battles, hardships and eventual evacuation that these men had to go through, in this comprehensive...

Despite the many celebrated victories of the British Army during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), the role of the Royal Navy should never be overlooked. The 'wooden walls' formed the country's first and most important line of defence, and ranged throughout the world to protect Britain's trade-routes and in support of the land forces and overseas possessions. This book covers the huge variations in uniforms not just in the Navy but the Royal Marines and Infantry regiments which served alongside naval crews. It also looks at the organisation, training and recruitment of the force and corrects a...

Austria was both a major participant and one of the causes of hostilities in the wars of the mid-18th century. The death of the Habsburg Emperor Charles VI in October 1740 set in motion the first of the major wars of the time. His heir was a daughter, Maria Theresa, who was destined become one of the greatest figures in the history of the 18th century. The Hapsburg territories were immense, and a key unifying factor was the army itself, that embraced all nationalities and drew its personnel from Hapsburg lands and beyond. This title, the first in a sequence of three, takes a close look at the...

At the accession of Maria Theresa in 1740, the Austro-Hungarian army included 52 infantry regiments, of which three were Hungarian, three Netherlandish and one Italian. The remainder drew their recruits not only from the Habsburg territories, including Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia (the last being lost to Prussia in 1742), but from the autonomous states of the Holy Roman Empire and beyond. The proportion of Hungarian raised regiments was set to rise in the coming years though - indeed 'foreign' personnel comprised an important part of the military etablishment. This title, the second in a...

Napoleon's Imperial Guard was one of the most famous military formations in history. The Imperial Guard could perform ceremonial duties as well as any, but it was primarily as an elite combat formation of the army that it excelled. Although it would expand to represent a considerable portion of France's military establishment, it remained Napoleon's personal guard during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) and was accorded care and attention which set its members above the rest of the army. In this book, Philip Haythornthwaite examines their lives, organisation and privileges, paying particular...