Synopses & Reviews
The French 'invasion by stealth' of her uneasy ally Spain, and the final proclamation of Napoleon's brother Joseph as king, led to the spontaneous outbreak of a war of resistance in May 1808 that would rage for six years. Despite Napoleon's clear advantage, the Spanish Army was never completely destroyed, their stubborn resistance typified by epic sieges at Zaragoza and Gerona and nationwide guerrilla warfare. The second of three volumes, this book examines the history, uniforms and equipment of the Spanish Army who, with the help of guerrillas and 'armed peasantry', stood up to Napoleon's Grand Army against all odds.
Synopsis
This volume is the second of three covering the organization, uniforms and weapons of the Spanish Army in Europe during the Napoleonic Wars: it also provides a glimpse of Spain's sea-soldiers. The book deals with the period from late 1808 to 1812, and focuses on the forces that fought the French invaders with incredibly stubborn resistance, almost alone and against all odds. Based on Spanish as well as newly-discovered British documents, this study forms the most extensive source yet published in English on the material culture of the Spanish peninsular forces between 1793 and 1815.
About the Author
René Chartrand was born in Montreal and educated in Canada, the United States and the Bahamas. A senior curator with Canada's National Historic Sites for nearly three decades, he is now a freelance writer and historical consultant. He has written numerous articles and books including almost 30 Osprey titles. He lives in Gatineau, Quebec, with his wife and two sons.