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Wellington's Guns: The Untold Story of Wellington and his Artillery in the Peninsula and at Waterloo
The history books have forgotten the artillery of Wellington's army during the Napoleonic Wars, but in this book Nick Lipscombe offers a study of the gunners through first-hand accounts, bringing life and color to their heroic actions.
Wellington was, without doubt, a brilliant field commander, but his leadership style was abrupt and occasionally uncompromising, especially to his artillery. He trained his infantry generals as divisional commanders but not army commanders; for his cavalry commanders he had little time often pouring scorn on their inability to control their units and formation in battle; but it was his artillery commanders that he kept at arm's length in particular, suspicious of their different chain of higher command and of their selection through ability, rather than privilege. In consequence, Wellington's relationship with his gunners was dutiful at best, and occasionally failed completely. Frequently frustrated by his lack of control and influence over the artillery off the battlefield, Wellington would occasionally over-exert his authority on it, personally deploying the guns sometimes against the advice of his experts. Wellington's personal distrust culminated in a letter to The Master General of the Ordnance in December 1815 in which he commented, 'to tell you the truth, I was not very pleased with the Artillery in the battle of Waterloo'. This resulted in the mistaken belief that the gunners performed badly at this crucial battle, supposedly abandoning their guns and fleeing the field, in direct contrast to French eyewitness accounts.
Wellington's Guns is the long overdue story of this often stormy relationship, the frustrations, challenges, the characters, and the achievements of the main protagonists as well as a detailed account of the British artillery of this period. Even with the valiant contribution of some 12,000 gunner officers, NCOs and rank and file, five battery honour titles, and numerous primary accounts, this is a story which has never been told. This despite the fact that the artillery itself was revolutionized during the course of the Napoleonic Wars from developing the vital 'danger-close' missions in the woods of Hougoumont, Belgium to the mountain gun attacks during the Pyrenean campaign of the Peninsular War and creeping barrages and Congreve rockets in all theatres, with the ultimate result that the artillery itself became a crucial component of any future and indeed modern army.
Wellington was, without doubt, a brilliant field commander, but his leadership style was abrupt and occasionally uncompromising, especially to his artillery. He trained his infantry generals as divisional commanders but not army commanders; for his cavalry commanders he had little time often pouring scorn on their inability to control their units and formation in battle; but it was his artillery commanders that he kept at arm's length in particular, suspicious of their different chain of higher command and of their selection through ability, rather than privilege. In consequence, Wellington's relationship with his gunners was dutiful at best, and occasionally failed completely. Frequently frustrated by his lack of control and influence over the artillery off the battlefield, Wellington would occasionally over-exert his authority on it, personally deploying the guns sometimes against the advice of his experts. Wellington's personal distrust culminated in a letter to The Master General of the Ordnance in December 1815 in which he commented, 'to tell you the truth, I was not very pleased with the Artillery in the battle of Waterloo'. This resulted in the mistaken belief that the gunners performed badly at this crucial battle, supposedly abandoning their guns and fleeing the field, in direct contrast to French eyewitness accounts.
Wellington's Guns is the long overdue story of this often stormy relationship, the frustrations, challenges, the characters, and the achievements of the main protagonists as well as a detailed account of the British artillery of this period. Even with the valiant contribution of some 12,000 gunner officers, NCOs and rank and file, five battery honour titles, and numerous primary accounts, this is a story which has never been told. This despite the fact that the artillery itself was revolutionized during the course of the Napoleonic Wars from developing the vital 'danger-close' missions in the woods of Hougoumont, Belgium to the mountain gun attacks during the Pyrenean campaign of the Peninsular War and creeping barrages and Congreve rockets in all theatres, with the ultimate result that the artillery itself became a crucial component of any future and indeed modern army.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
456 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 28, 2020
Lipscombe tells a detailed and well researched and documented history of the British artillery of the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. He details the tension between Wellington and his artillery leaders brought about in no small part by the dual nature of the command structure from London where the artillery technically was not part of Wellington's line of command.
To me the most interesting was Lipscombe's discussions about the effectiveness of the new spherical case, or "shrapnel" ammunition first introduced in the Peninsula and in the gradual "bulking up" or the artillery arm, starting with light 6-pounders and ending, at Waterloo, with most batteries fielding 9-pounders. As well as the discussions he brings forward about the effectiveness of mountain guns in Spain and the Pyrenees and the differences between French and British deployments.
As one would expect from the title he spends only a little time on the Portuguese artillery that accompanied Wellington's armies and even less on the Spanish guns. However, I found it an excellent read. Recommended for any student of Wellington, or the Napoleonic Wars.
To me the most interesting was Lipscombe's discussions about the effectiveness of the new spherical case, or "shrapnel" ammunition first introduced in the Peninsula and in the gradual "bulking up" or the artillery arm, starting with light 6-pounders and ending, at Waterloo, with most batteries fielding 9-pounders. As well as the discussions he brings forward about the effectiveness of mountain guns in Spain and the Pyrenees and the differences between French and British deployments.
As one would expect from the title he spends only a little time on the Portuguese artillery that accompanied Wellington's armies and even less on the Spanish guns. However, I found it an excellent read. Recommended for any student of Wellington, or the Napoleonic Wars.
August 20, 2016
"Wellington’s Guns: The Untold Story of Wellington and his Artillery in the Peninsula and at Waterloo" by Nick Lipscombe tells the story of the Artillery in Wellington's Army during the Peninsular Campaigns of 1808-1814 and Waterloo.
"Wellington’s Guns" an organizational and tactical history of the artillery in that army. The book is organized chronologically. The reader follows the evolution of the English and Allied artillery in theater and in general. The book is a fusion topic in that it deals with intersection of
- the history of Wellington's Army and its campaigns,
- the history, organizational, technical and tactical aspects of the artillery in that army, and
- how the artillery did and did not fit into wellington's Army and organization
Lipscombe shows an excellent organizational, technical and tactical understanding of the Napoleonic Wars in general, and of Wellington's Artillery in particular. He impresses me as a highly disciplined writer and only strays out when the additional material is needed to understand the topic at hand. Finally I found his writing clear, understandable, and to the point.
I was a bit torn on whether this book was a 4 or 5 star rated book. It fit the 5 star rating for the excellence of writing, great understanding of the material, and clear presentation of a complex topic. However, the book seemed limited in scope. However, after some thought, I realized that the limitations and boundaries were thoughtfully selected and observed by the author. That they were a major factor in its success. And that few writers, in my experience. could have as successfully managed those boundaries. After that realization, I was even more highly impressed. So I decided that it deserved 5 stars.
I would highly recommend this book or those interested in the the tactical components of Wellington's Army during his Napoleonic Campaigns. Additionally, those interested in the history of artillery, of military history, and of history in general will find this book rewarding. Beyond the topic itself, seeing how the author handles, with grace and style, a complex topic at the intersection of several different areas, should appeal to anyone interested in writing about history.
"Wellington’s Guns" an organizational and tactical history of the artillery in that army. The book is organized chronologically. The reader follows the evolution of the English and Allied artillery in theater and in general. The book is a fusion topic in that it deals with intersection of
- the history of Wellington's Army and its campaigns,
- the history, organizational, technical and tactical aspects of the artillery in that army, and
- how the artillery did and did not fit into wellington's Army and organization
Lipscombe shows an excellent organizational, technical and tactical understanding of the Napoleonic Wars in general, and of Wellington's Artillery in particular. He impresses me as a highly disciplined writer and only strays out when the additional material is needed to understand the topic at hand. Finally I found his writing clear, understandable, and to the point.
I was a bit torn on whether this book was a 4 or 5 star rated book. It fit the 5 star rating for the excellence of writing, great understanding of the material, and clear presentation of a complex topic. However, the book seemed limited in scope. However, after some thought, I realized that the limitations and boundaries were thoughtfully selected and observed by the author. That they were a major factor in its success. And that few writers, in my experience. could have as successfully managed those boundaries. After that realization, I was even more highly impressed. So I decided that it deserved 5 stars.
I would highly recommend this book or those interested in the the tactical components of Wellington's Army during his Napoleonic Campaigns. Additionally, those interested in the history of artillery, of military history, and of history in general will find this book rewarding. Beyond the topic itself, seeing how the author handles, with grace and style, a complex topic at the intersection of several different areas, should appeal to anyone interested in writing about history.
March 7, 2014
Superb
Only reason I cant give it 5 is I have read so much good military history recently I will only awared 5 stars to the VERY best.
Good battle accounts with personal detail and a wonderful insight into wellingtons fractious relationship with his gunners
Only reason I cant give it 5 is I have read so much good military history recently I will only awared 5 stars to the VERY best.
Good battle accounts with personal detail and a wonderful insight into wellingtons fractious relationship with his gunners
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews