Talavera: Wellington’s First Victory in Spain

by Andrew W. Field

The Battle of Talavera was one of the key confrontations of the Peninsular War. In a bloody contest, the British and Spanish under Wellesley and Cuesta won a tactical victory over the French forces of Victor and Joseph Bonaparte. This graphic analysis reconstructs the action and questions assumptions about the event that have grown up.

Genres: History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Andrew Field MBE is a former British army officer whose travels around the world have given him a unique opportunity to explore battlefields from ancient history to present times. He has always harboured a special fascination for the Napoleonic Wars. In particular he has reassessed Napoleon's campaigns in 1814 and 1815, and has carried out extensive research into Wellington's battles in the Peninsula. He has published articles on these topics and two notable books: Talavera: Wellington's First Victory in Spain and Waterloo: The French Perspective.

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arthur Wellesley's reputation was made in the Peninsular War. His remarkable string of victories, with only the blemish of Burgos, to defeat the French armies in Spain and Portugal created an army second-to-none, and greatly contributed to the eventual defeat of Napoleon, however, his first victory in Spain--Talavera in 1809--could have easily gone the other way.

This book describes the lead-up to the battle and the fighting itself. Field does a fine job, but could use more maps. He also talks about problems on both sides, especially the conflicts between the British and Spanish as allies.
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a very clinical look at one of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War. By clinical I refer to the writing style of the book. A very small proportion is dedicated to the background of British involvement in the Peninsular than goes on to the tactics employed by the protagonists, the commanders, and the battle itself. There is a very clear demarcation between these themes which may be appealing to some but I really like it when a historical narrative flows, not stops and starts.

The last chapter deals with visiting the battle field today, whilst a nice touch I think this could be added as and appendices, instead this last chapter rambles on to some extent.

A real bonus to this book is the appendixes. They include units involved and the casualty break down throughout different stages of the battle.

Not a bad book, but not particularly great either.

[Declan Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very indepth description and review of the battle of Talavera - 'Wellington's first victory in Spain' - during the Pennisula War (Napoleonic War)

Field has done a lot of indepth research and has a lot of interest in the subject, as well as not assuming much prior knowledge - so he provides his opinion on line v column and other aspects of fighting during the Napoleonic Wars as well as some background.

Recommended for those who want to know about this specific battle, or wish to extend their knowledge of the Pennisula War.

[Eurydicegirlgmail.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally clear explanation.

The preparatory organisation of the content, by topic, before the battle narrative, is very helpful. I’m interested to read the next one. Highly recommend for general readers.

[John Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers the campaign and battle well. Definitely on my re-read list.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct and to the point, Andrew Fields' Talavera raises many interesting points of tactics and leadership that make for a rewarding read.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of this early battle in the Peninsular War with a particularly good tour guide at the end.

[Eric J. Hartsfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good operational study of the campaign

Book shows Wellington while still in the development of the tactics he would use to devastating effect in his later campaigns and battles in Spain and Portugal.

[Jim Pfluecke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fine look at one of the major battles of the Peninsula War. A strength of this book is an examination of Wellington's tactical (i.e. battlefield) system, both in regards to how he fought this battle, and what he learned here and applied later. Field takes a detailed look at the dynamic between British line formation and the French column formation, which has been a "controversey" for well over 100 years. I found his take on this satisfying---the French and their columns had defeated every major power in Europe, but had been deployed with much more subtlty and in combination with the line much more often and effectively than in the Peninsula, especially at Talavera Field posits that the French system was to use skirmishers and artillery fire to weaken the enemy and then close with the column to finish them off. The British were able to counter the French skirmishers and lie down or hide behind hills to avoid artillery, so rather than advancing against a shaken and worn out defender, the British were better able to stand and fight. It did not hurt that the British were the only army in Europe to practice and encourage aimed fire.

The narrative description of the battle itself is concise and fairly straight forward. Field does a good job describing the terrain and how it influenced the fighting and of mixing in first hand accounts with the larger overview.

In all, a well structured and written book about a bloody and very close battle.