In 1809 French armies controlled almost every province of Spain and only Wellington’s small force in Portugal stood between Napoleon and the conquest of Iberia.The French invaded Portugal in the summer of 1810 but found their way blocked by the most extensive field fortifications the world had ever seen – the Lines of Torres Vedras. Unable to penetrate the Lines; the French were driven back into Spain having suffered the heaviest defeat yet experienced by Napoleon’s armies. The retreat from Portugal marked the turning point in the Peninsular War and; from the security of the Lines; Wellington was able to mount the offensive campaigns that swept France’s Imperial armies back across the Pyrenees.The Lines of Torres Vedras is an authoritative account of the planning; construction and occupation of the Lines and of the battles; sieges and horrors of the French invasion. It is also an important study of Wellington’s strategy during the crucial years of the war against Napoleon.‘This is a well-researched; well-written; closely argued and fascinating contribution to the historiography of the Peninsular War.’ The Spectator‘Essential reading for every Peninsula enthusiast; this is recommended highly.’ Military Illustrated
#982408 in Books Osprey Publishing 2015-11-17 2015-11-17Original language:English 9.91 x .34 x 7.22l; .79 #File Name: 147280896796 pages9781472808967
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Not A Precusor but still a rip roaring tale of braveryBy RickA very good telling of this attack. Not only does the book give the back story to the inception of the raid; but also the situation in which it occurred. I must say I was not aware of the complex plan that the raid was part of. As an aside; one constantly reads on how convoluting the Japanese naval plans were during WW2; I would put this over all plan right there with the Japanese Midway plans; or Leyte attack plans. If one was going to quibble with the story; there is really nothing to equate the Taranto Attack with Pearl Harbor; except both contained ships; planes; torpedoes. Never the less; the story tells what brave men can do on a shoe string or in this case a stringbag!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. TARANTO is especially excellent; as we get an account of virtually every ...By Alec MarshThe Osprey campaign series is well suited for mongraphs on raids because relatively few people and units are involved. TARANTO is especially excellent; as we get an account of virtually every airman and airplane involved as well as reports on how things looked from the Italian poimnt of view. The route maps that are a feature of these books were very helpful.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy carel habetsGood book and good maps !
