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Soldiers, Scouts and Spies: A military history of the New Zealand Wars 1845–1864
A fascinating and detailed study of the major campaigns on the New Zealand Wars.
As interest in the New Zealand Wars grows, Soldiers, Scouts andSpies offers a unique insight into the major campaigns fought between 1845 and 1864 by British
troops, their militia and Maori allies, and Maori iwi and coalitions.
It was a time of rapid technological change. Maori were quick to adopt western
weaponry and evolve their tactics — and even political structures — as they
looked for ways to confront the might of the Imperial war machine. And Britain,
despite being a military and economic super power, was challenged by a capable
enemy in a difficult environment.
This detailed examination of the Wars from a military perspective focuses on
the period of relatively conventional warfare before the increasingly ‘irregular'
fighting of the late 1860s. It explains how and where the battles were fought, and
their outcomes. Importantly, it also analyses the intelligence-gathering skills and
processes of both British and Maori forces as each sought to understand and
overcome their enemy.
As interest in the New Zealand Wars grows, Soldiers, Scouts andSpies offers a unique insight into the major campaigns fought between 1845 and 1864 by British
troops, their militia and Maori allies, and Maori iwi and coalitions.
It was a time of rapid technological change. Maori were quick to adopt western
weaponry and evolve their tactics — and even political structures — as they
looked for ways to confront the might of the Imperial war machine. And Britain,
despite being a military and economic super power, was challenged by a capable
enemy in a difficult environment.
This detailed examination of the Wars from a military perspective focuses on
the period of relatively conventional warfare before the increasingly ‘irregular'
fighting of the late 1860s. It explains how and where the battles were fought, and
their outcomes. Importantly, it also analyses the intelligence-gathering skills and
processes of both British and Maori forces as each sought to understand and
overcome their enemy.
- GenresMilitary HistoryHistory
432 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2020
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March 1, 2020
Fascinating account of the New Zealand Wars - or, more appropriately, the localised campaigns that flared up in the mid 19th century between the colonising settlers to New Zealand (and their Maori allies) and the ‘rebel’ Maori tribes or sub-tribes. Also a much needed exploration of how intelligence played such an important role in the success or failure of various battles and campaigns.
Simons also shines a spotlight on the machinations of the critical cast of characters that shaped this period - Hone Heke, the Kingites, Governor Grey, etc - and the prevailing political, economic and social upheavals as two cultures came together. Also not afraid to challenge some existing orthodoxies (or revisionisms, depending on your point of view), this book adds another interesting perspective on this chapter of New Zealand nationhood.
Simons also shines a spotlight on the machinations of the critical cast of characters that shaped this period - Hone Heke, the Kingites, Governor Grey, etc - and the prevailing political, economic and social upheavals as two cultures came together. Also not afraid to challenge some existing orthodoxies (or revisionisms, depending on your point of view), this book adds another interesting perspective on this chapter of New Zealand nationhood.
Displaying 1 of 1 review