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The Light Division in the Peninsular War, 1808-1811
Histories of the Light Division have tended to be incomplete, being based on memoirs of a few well known diarists, principally from the 95th Rifles. The authors of this book, the first volume of two, have sought memoirs from across the division, including the artillery, the King's German Hussars and others to complete a broader history of Wellington's elite division. Light infantry was not new a concept in 1803, but at Shorncliffe Camp Sir John Moore developed a progressive ethos, set of tactics and training for the newly converted light infantry regiments. With the 95th Rifles they were melded into a brigade that was to form the basis of the incomparable Light Division. From the outset of the Peninsular campaigns in 1808 they delivered results way beyond their scant numbers, but it was during the epic winter retreat to La Corunna that they showed their metal. Returning to the Peninsular months later, the irascible Brigadier Craufurd led the Light Brigade in terrible march to reach Wellington at Talavera; heavily laden and in the heat of summer. Over the winter of 1809/10, Craufurd's battalions, now elevated to the status of a division, provided the army's outposts. This was work that Craufurd excelled in and actions abounded, including the Combat on the Ca, where the division fought hard to escape Marshal Ney's trap. In 1810, with Wellington withdrawing to the Lines of Torres Vedra, the Light Division played a significant part in the battle of Buaco Ridge, while the following year they drove Marshal Massena's army back into Spain having fought almost daily actions en route. This history of the Light Division is not simply a series of set piece battles but provides a wider picture of campaigning and what it was to be a light infantry soldier.
232 pages, Hardcover
Published June 19, 2020
About the author
Tim Saunders
211 books11 followersTim Saunders MBE MA (1956 - ????) served in the British Army as an officer in the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment and The Rifles for over 30 years before leaving to become a full time military historian. In his second career he brings together the overlapping spheres of writing, battlefield guiding and military history film making. His intuitive knowledge of warfare and soldiers that is abundantly clear from his insightful and entertaining writing is a result, of his military training, service across the world and his operational experience.
Tim's portfolio of work is wide, with videos from Vikings to WW2 being made with Battlefield History TV and Pen & Sword Digital, variously as presenter, director and editor, His books, now totalling more than twenty title, however, are mainly focused on the Napoleonic Wars and the battles of the Second World War
Tim lives on the edge of the Army's Salisbury Plain Training area and often finds himself writing to the accompaniment of the sound of real tanks and gunfire.
Tim's portfolio of work is wide, with videos from Vikings to WW2 being made with Battlefield History TV and Pen & Sword Digital, variously as presenter, director and editor, His books, now totalling more than twenty title, however, are mainly focused on the Napoleonic Wars and the battles of the Second World War
Tim lives on the edge of the Army's Salisbury Plain Training area and often finds himself writing to the accompaniment of the sound of real tanks and gunfire.
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April 14, 2023
If we look at the totality of the history of war we can notice one thing: from the past we have the mythical tales of Heroes, then with the invention of historiography we go on to describe the events of wars and battles from a high point of view, however, that of the commanders and leaders. Only with the Napoleonic Wars there is a diffusion of the testimonies from the ranks, of the humble soldiers who marched along the streets and through the battlefields of all Europe. Among all the phases in which that great fragmented conflict known as the "Napoleonic Wars" is usually divided, however, it is most likely the war that took place in Spain from 1808 to 1814 and which passed to the history as "Peninsular War" that has produced more books.
Certainly the general public remembers it for the tales of Sharpe's riflemen by the great Bernard Cornwell, a series of novels that was later transposed on TV, but it must be said that if the Peninsular War attracted much of the attention of the British public, to play the part of the lion in this attention was the "Light Division" of which the 95th Regiment (that of Sharpe) was part together with other regiments. Precisely the 95th sees a plethora of testimonies all very interesting, but which reveal little about the rest of the war, in fact difficult to follow.
The book that I want to present to you today, however, is not an account of the Peninsular War in its entirety (which has already been addressed very well by one of the greatest military historians of all time, Sir Charles Oman) but of the part played by the "Light Division" . The text, part one, which covers the years 1808 to 1811, is written by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill, historians and former soldiers of Her Majesty's Army, for the Pen & Sword publishing house.
The first thing that catches the eye of the book is the large amount of photos, paintings, maps reproduced. It is a text that also introduces the novice reader to the experience of a war like the one that was fought at the time, in the early nineteenth century and therefore there are also short "boxes" in which equipment and tactics are described. This introduces the reader to the history of the Light Division which brought to the field the various teachings learned during the American War of Independence and then refined at Shorncliffe Camp. From a chronological point of view, after the necessary introduction to the way of fighting of these new units, the book starts from the first campaign in the Iberian Peninsula, by General John Moore, who later perished at the Battle of Coruna, in northern Spain , before boarding for the homeland. In this case, although the campaign is unfortunate for British arms, it can already be understood from the episode of Tom Plunkett (rifleman of the 95th Rifles who killed the French general Colbert) how revolutionary the tactics of these soldiers were compared to their fellow soldiers of the line.
The book, however, is not a simple re-edition of the testimonies of the soldiers of the 95th, but obviously there are stories of soldiers and officers of the other regiments that made up the Light Division, mainly the 43rd and 52nd Regiments. Some regiments of Portuguese "Cazadores" were also distinguished part of this revolutionary unit.
The two historians, Saunders and Yuill pleasantly alternate testimonies with the story of battles (in this phase of the Campaign the battles of La Coruna, Bussaco and Fuentes de Onoro which concludes the book stand out) with the aforementioned testimonies, but above all I would like to spend a word for the maps, very well done and detailed that show the progress of the war. The account of the life of the Light Division cannot be separated from the one who commanded it and embodied its spirit, namely General Robert "Black Bob" Craufurd. In this regard, I find essential the choice to add as an appendix the meticulous rules of the Division ("Standing Orders") that highlight the character of this precise and severe commander. Here too the Division has its own transformation over time, in addition to its "expansion", in fact the severity of its commander, at first despised by the subordinates, is instead regretted when he must go on leave and be replaced by an inept commander named Erskine. For those unfamiliar with the history of Craufurd, the second volume which will describe the events up to 1814 will also present many reasons of interest.
What more can we say? The first volume of two is fantastic and even for those like me who have read several volumes on the 95th Rifles, the Light Division and the Peninsular War, it is a must to buy and read. The bonus are the photos of the places, the maps and a fantastic choice of prints from the time and of today (by the talented Christa Hook).
Certainly the general public remembers it for the tales of Sharpe's riflemen by the great Bernard Cornwell, a series of novels that was later transposed on TV, but it must be said that if the Peninsular War attracted much of the attention of the British public, to play the part of the lion in this attention was the "Light Division" of which the 95th Regiment (that of Sharpe) was part together with other regiments. Precisely the 95th sees a plethora of testimonies all very interesting, but which reveal little about the rest of the war, in fact difficult to follow.
The book that I want to present to you today, however, is not an account of the Peninsular War in its entirety (which has already been addressed very well by one of the greatest military historians of all time, Sir Charles Oman) but of the part played by the "Light Division" . The text, part one, which covers the years 1808 to 1811, is written by Tim Saunders and Rob Yuill, historians and former soldiers of Her Majesty's Army, for the Pen & Sword publishing house.
The first thing that catches the eye of the book is the large amount of photos, paintings, maps reproduced. It is a text that also introduces the novice reader to the experience of a war like the one that was fought at the time, in the early nineteenth century and therefore there are also short "boxes" in which equipment and tactics are described. This introduces the reader to the history of the Light Division which brought to the field the various teachings learned during the American War of Independence and then refined at Shorncliffe Camp. From a chronological point of view, after the necessary introduction to the way of fighting of these new units, the book starts from the first campaign in the Iberian Peninsula, by General John Moore, who later perished at the Battle of Coruna, in northern Spain , before boarding for the homeland. In this case, although the campaign is unfortunate for British arms, it can already be understood from the episode of Tom Plunkett (rifleman of the 95th Rifles who killed the French general Colbert) how revolutionary the tactics of these soldiers were compared to their fellow soldiers of the line.
The book, however, is not a simple re-edition of the testimonies of the soldiers of the 95th, but obviously there are stories of soldiers and officers of the other regiments that made up the Light Division, mainly the 43rd and 52nd Regiments. Some regiments of Portuguese "Cazadores" were also distinguished part of this revolutionary unit.
The two historians, Saunders and Yuill pleasantly alternate testimonies with the story of battles (in this phase of the Campaign the battles of La Coruna, Bussaco and Fuentes de Onoro which concludes the book stand out) with the aforementioned testimonies, but above all I would like to spend a word for the maps, very well done and detailed that show the progress of the war. The account of the life of the Light Division cannot be separated from the one who commanded it and embodied its spirit, namely General Robert "Black Bob" Craufurd. In this regard, I find essential the choice to add as an appendix the meticulous rules of the Division ("Standing Orders") that highlight the character of this precise and severe commander. Here too the Division has its own transformation over time, in addition to its "expansion", in fact the severity of its commander, at first despised by the subordinates, is instead regretted when he must go on leave and be replaced by an inept commander named Erskine. For those unfamiliar with the history of Craufurd, the second volume which will describe the events up to 1814 will also present many reasons of interest.
What more can we say? The first volume of two is fantastic and even for those like me who have read several volumes on the 95th Rifles, the Light Division and the Peninsular War, it is a must to buy and read. The bonus are the photos of the places, the maps and a fantastic choice of prints from the time and of today (by the talented Christa Hook).
November 18, 2020
The British Light Infantry during the Peninsular campaigns in the Napoleonic Wars were at the heart of the action. They fought toe to toe with the French in the advance and on the retreat. Tim Saunders and RobYuill tell their story and describe the lives of the soldiers on and off the battlefield.
In typical fashion, the British were slow to adopt Light Infantry on more than a nominal scale, with no battalions until 1803, though they had a Rifle Corps from 1800. This became the 95th (Rifle) Regiment under Sir John Moore. Light Infantry served in the Peninsular campaigns of 1808/1809, by which time the Light Division had been formed. The Riflemen that travelled to Portugal were soon in action at Rolica and Vimiero. The unfortunate Moore found himself in command of the Peninsular army in October 1808 and despite his best efforts they found themselves in full retreat by December in the face of the French advance into northern Spain. The Light Infantry were very busy covering that retreat to prevent it becoming a rout. They were hard-pressed all the way to Corunna where with the rest of the army they stood and fought a pitched battle in which Moore was killed but the army escaped by sea. In 1809, the Light Infantry returned to the Peninsula under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. This was to be a very different campaign with the Light Infantry leading the advance against the retreating French, helping to drive them out of Portugal if only temporarily. In 1810, they took up outpost duties, skirmishing with the French across the lines. They also began working with the Portuguese Cacadores light infantry. The French pushed the British back again, but the Light Infantry proved a consistent thorn in their side with skilled and disciplined skirmishing tactics. In the Winter of 1810-1811, the Light Infantry proved their worth again protecting the lines of Torres Vedras, Wellington’s defensive position in Portugal. In 1811, Wellesley took the offensive again this time for good with the Light Infantry to the front as usual.
Saunders and Yuill cover well-trodden ground in this book as far as the campaigns go, but the focus on the Light Infantry is an interesting angle. The authors deliver solid combat narratives with primary sources incorporated skilfully, particularly the reminiscences of Rifleman Harris of the 95th. They add box-out text sections, covering extraneous information such as weapons, equipment, and uniforms. Reenactor photographs showing loading and basic tactics, including the famous Plunkett Position, and clear maps and modern photographs of terrain illuminate the narrative. Napoleonic wars enthusiasts will enjoy this book very much.
In typical fashion, the British were slow to adopt Light Infantry on more than a nominal scale, with no battalions until 1803, though they had a Rifle Corps from 1800. This became the 95th (Rifle) Regiment under Sir John Moore. Light Infantry served in the Peninsular campaigns of 1808/1809, by which time the Light Division had been formed. The Riflemen that travelled to Portugal were soon in action at Rolica and Vimiero. The unfortunate Moore found himself in command of the Peninsular army in October 1808 and despite his best efforts they found themselves in full retreat by December in the face of the French advance into northern Spain. The Light Infantry were very busy covering that retreat to prevent it becoming a rout. They were hard-pressed all the way to Corunna where with the rest of the army they stood and fought a pitched battle in which Moore was killed but the army escaped by sea. In 1809, the Light Infantry returned to the Peninsula under Sir Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. This was to be a very different campaign with the Light Infantry leading the advance against the retreating French, helping to drive them out of Portugal if only temporarily. In 1810, they took up outpost duties, skirmishing with the French across the lines. They also began working with the Portuguese Cacadores light infantry. The French pushed the British back again, but the Light Infantry proved a consistent thorn in their side with skilled and disciplined skirmishing tactics. In the Winter of 1810-1811, the Light Infantry proved their worth again protecting the lines of Torres Vedras, Wellington’s defensive position in Portugal. In 1811, Wellesley took the offensive again this time for good with the Light Infantry to the front as usual.
Saunders and Yuill cover well-trodden ground in this book as far as the campaigns go, but the focus on the Light Infantry is an interesting angle. The authors deliver solid combat narratives with primary sources incorporated skilfully, particularly the reminiscences of Rifleman Harris of the 95th. They add box-out text sections, covering extraneous information such as weapons, equipment, and uniforms. Reenactor photographs showing loading and basic tactics, including the famous Plunkett Position, and clear maps and modern photographs of terrain illuminate the narrative. Napoleonic wars enthusiasts will enjoy this book very much.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews