In October 1810 the Allied position in Portugal appeared precarious. Despite defeating Marshal Massena's French army at Bussaco; Wellington had been forced to retreat to within a few miles of Lisbon. Here the French encountered a massive line of fortifications stretching from the River Tagus to the sea. Built amid great secrecy and on Wellington's specific orders; these Lines of Torres Vedras were the French high-water mark. In February; with his army on the point of starvation; Massena was forced to retreat and the scene was set for the climactic action of Fuentes de Onoro. This book examines this crucial campaign culminating in the hard-fought battle that finally drove the French from Portugal.In the winter of 1809-10 Viscount Wellington; confronted by the prospect of facing formidable French forces in Spain without the aid of his Spanish allies; the construction of the massive defensive lines of Torres Vedras north of Lisbon. They consisted of a formidable three-line system of field earthworks and fortifications which stretched for some 30 miles from the coast to the river Tagus. Marshal Massena had been completely unaware of the existence of this massive line of defenses until he found himself confronted by them. Unable to find the key to unlock Wellington's fortifications; running out of food and with winter approaching Massena was faced with the prospect of watching his army starve where it stood. He had no choice but to withdraw into Spain. After a bitter winter of frontier skirmishing the French again took the offensive. Soult moved to Badjoz and Massena advanced to relieve Almeida which Wellington had invested. At Fuentes de Onoro Massena and Wellington's armies clashed in a hard fought contest. Wellington lost 1;800 men; Massna 2;700 but the French failed to break Wellington's siege and were forced to withdraw. Massena was relieved of his command in disgrace to be relieved by Marshal Marmont.
#5784552 in Books 1994-09-30Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x .63 x 5.98l; 1.15 #File Name: 0275948277216 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Mom was a Woman Marine during the Korean WarBy Ms. DowI bought this for her 80th birthday. She loves it. She reads a few pages every week; because they generate so many memories. Then she shares her stories with the family. It's been a gift for all of us. And a revelation into what a generation of women went through. Highly recommend.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Saga of women boots in an earlier timeBy A CustomerThis book is a follow up to the Soderbergh's earlier book about Women Marines in the WWII era. It has an interesting panorama of the Sociology of America in the WWII period and its aftermath; much akin to the description Melady has in his book "Canada's Forgotton War." A Marine himself; Soderbergh describes in dense prose how the Corps managed to survive the 1947 Security Act; which redefined the nature of the Armed Services. Even so; he points out that the Korean War; Vietnam and Desert Storm continued to present the USMC with the challenge to define precisely its role as a land based fighting force. On the specific issue of Women Marines (or WM's as they are called; in contrast to the earlier role as WR's--women reservists) the author provides some personal accounts about what it was like for the women to leave for Korea. He points out the Marine magazine Leatherneck was 'supportive; if also condescending' of the Women marines in the text of its articles but the cartoons continued to cater to the 'sexist juvenile side' of the readership. Soderbergh also says that for many WMs the Marine Corps was their first exposure to racial segregation outside the South. The author touches briefly on the issue of sexual discrimination; harassment and gays/lesbians in the military. The Marines were concerned about Lesbians in the WR as early as 1943. Soderbergh provides testimonials from a few Women Marines which include discussion of the all-too-familiar clandestine investigations; pressure to reveal names; etc. Soderbergh believes that the Marines today; if they had their way; would probably choose not to allow gays to 'wear the Marine Uniform under any circumstances.' Especially memorable is the blow-by-blow account of a classroom session taught by Captain Smith at Parris Island..sort of the Socratic method; marine corps style. The most moving part of the book comes at the end where the author delivers two tributes. One is to his ex-wife; also a former Marine; who remains in Soderbergh's mind as '...that talented sergeant who represented everything that was good about Women Marines.." The other is his personal interest in WM Germaine Catherine Laville. Laville; who died in a tragic fire while at Cherry Point; has a dormitory at LSU named after her. Soderbergh; who was a student at LSU when he noticed her picture; had his interest piqued by this woman Marine; and decided to write a biography of Laville.
