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105th Foot, The Prince of Wales Wessex Regiment #6
Upon French Fields
The sixth in the 105th Foot, ‘Rag and Bone Boys’ series. The Allies under Wellington are poised on the border of France to cross the Pyrenees and finally carry the fight to Napoleon on ‘sacred French soil’. San Sebastian and Pamplona continue to hold out and the former has to be taken by siege for which young Willoughby Carr has volunteered to become a member of the ‘Forlorn Hope’. Meanwhile his elder brother, Henry continues to run and lead his beloved 105th, first pursuing the wreck of the French defeat at Sorauren, then witnessing the doomed French attempt to relieve San Sebastian. Finally it comes, they form part of one of the many columns that descended from the Pyrenees to advance deep into France and menace Bayonne.
Willoughby Carr’s 16th Light Dragoons are heavily involved in the battle of Barrouillet, which was part of the French offensive alongside the River Nive to push the Allies back to the mountains. This included the desperate conflict of St Pierre in which Henry Carr played a part as a ‘detached Colonel’. However, the main issues soon evolve into the siege of Bayonne and Wellington’s ambition to push Soult Eastwards away from reinforcements in Bayonne. This resulted in the hard-fought battle of Orthez which pushed Soult further Eastwards and soon after comes the tragic and unnecessary battle of Toulouse which finally ended the war, unnecessary because Napoleon was by then off the throne. All throughout, Agent Jacques Dulongue is secreted into Bayonne to relay information out to the Allies, making good use of his ‘cover’ as a local fishmonger. However, this eventually comes apart when he is heavily involved in General Thouvenot’s ridiculous and costly sortie from Bayonne many days after Napoleon had abdicated.
Through this final year, the 105th live, work, fight and march as the strong community that they have become. The marches they are required to complete in the Spring of 1814 are the toughest of all, surpassed only by the two Retreats of 1809 and 1812, but they cling to their treasures and valuables, these closely guarded as part of their hopes for themselves when the war ends. Their Colonel’s wife arriving in France, and her eventual pregnancy, is taken in their stride as are the plans she has for those in the ranks and their families. Also required are the nefarious skills of such as Tom Miles and Len Bailey when Wellington is forced to set up his own illegal mint to produce coins that his forces can use as they progress across France.
Eventually, on an anonymous road South of Toulouse, they hear that the war has ended, their protagonist, Marshall Soult is finally presented with enough evidence of Napoleon’s abdication. Soon after, they witness their Portuguese Allies marching for home whilst they march for the coast to hear, to their great relief, that they will not be required to fight the Colonists in America nor police the island of Ireland. The ship they embark upon is bound for England and home.
Willoughby Carr’s 16th Light Dragoons are heavily involved in the battle of Barrouillet, which was part of the French offensive alongside the River Nive to push the Allies back to the mountains. This included the desperate conflict of St Pierre in which Henry Carr played a part as a ‘detached Colonel’. However, the main issues soon evolve into the siege of Bayonne and Wellington’s ambition to push Soult Eastwards away from reinforcements in Bayonne. This resulted in the hard-fought battle of Orthez which pushed Soult further Eastwards and soon after comes the tragic and unnecessary battle of Toulouse which finally ended the war, unnecessary because Napoleon was by then off the throne. All throughout, Agent Jacques Dulongue is secreted into Bayonne to relay information out to the Allies, making good use of his ‘cover’ as a local fishmonger. However, this eventually comes apart when he is heavily involved in General Thouvenot’s ridiculous and costly sortie from Bayonne many days after Napoleon had abdicated.
Through this final year, the 105th live, work, fight and march as the strong community that they have become. The marches they are required to complete in the Spring of 1814 are the toughest of all, surpassed only by the two Retreats of 1809 and 1812, but they cling to their treasures and valuables, these closely guarded as part of their hopes for themselves when the war ends. Their Colonel’s wife arriving in France, and her eventual pregnancy, is taken in their stride as are the plans she has for those in the ranks and their families. Also required are the nefarious skills of such as Tom Miles and Len Bailey when Wellington is forced to set up his own illegal mint to produce coins that his forces can use as they progress across France.
Eventually, on an anonymous road South of Toulouse, they hear that the war has ended, their protagonist, Marshall Soult is finally presented with enough evidence of Napoleon’s abdication. Soon after, they witness their Portuguese Allies marching for home whilst they march for the coast to hear, to their great relief, that they will not be required to fight the Colonists in America nor police the island of Ireland. The ship they embark upon is bound for England and home.
780 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2021
75 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 18, 2024
I'm hooked on the series. There is a need for relevant maps of the Peninsular and the battle girls. Shelby Foote did for the American civil War series, and Chris Durbin is doin for the Seven Years War naval series. There are odd words and letters in the text. Some may be from duplicating the speech, but some see from scanning. Same for carriage returns and tabs.
I'm printing Wikbeida's article on Waterloo so I can follow the next in the series.
I'm printing Wikbeida's article on Waterloo so I can follow the next in the series.
February 19, 2022
a fine addition to the series
If Mr. McDowell isn’t the most eloquent author, he does provide an immense amount of detail about the campaigns in Spain and France. I cannot imagine how much research he has done. Personally, I have become hooked on the story of Colonel Carr and his men. I assume another book is forthcoming and look forward to it.
If Mr. McDowell isn’t the most eloquent author, he does provide an immense amount of detail about the campaigns in Spain and France. I cannot imagine how much research he has done. Personally, I have become hooked on the story of Colonel Carr and his men. I assume another book is forthcoming and look forward to it.
July 4, 2022
Excellent read
Another excellent read from Martin McDowell, have followed Carr and the 105th throughout their campaign. Full of interesting/engaging characters and based on historical events in the Peninsular war, with an informative summary at the end of each book to confirm the factual record in which the fictional 105th's campaign is set.
Another excellent read from Martin McDowell, have followed Carr and the 105th throughout their campaign. Full of interesting/engaging characters and based on historical events in the Peninsular war, with an informative summary at the end of each book to confirm the factual record in which the fictional 105th's campaign is set.
February 17, 2022
Remarkable history
This is a remarkable, wide-ranging history of the Peninsular War. McDowell has well-drawn characters who put flesh and blood on the facts. If there isn’t a seventh book in the series I will be very disappointed.
This is a remarkable, wide-ranging history of the Peninsular War. McDowell has well-drawn characters who put flesh and blood on the facts. If there isn’t a seventh book in the series I will be very disappointed.
February 20, 2022
A Good Series
Happy to see this addition to the series. We know Bonny does not stay in Elba for long, and will be out to seek vengeance. Hopefully Mr McDowell will be chronicaling that misadventure as well.
Happy to see this addition to the series. We know Bonny does not stay in Elba for long, and will be out to seek vengeance. Hopefully Mr McDowell will be chronicaling that misadventure as well.
August 8, 2022
McDowell is masterful as usual. It is an entertaining and somewhat accurate account.
Liked it more than Cornwell. Waiting for more by MM . Entertaining and enlightening. Didnt want to stop reading. So
Liked it more than Cornwell. Waiting for more by MM . Entertaining and enlightening. Didnt want to stop reading. So
January 24, 2022
Good read
Had to go back to previous book to fill in a few parts that I forgot. Basically a fun read on a cold weekend
Had to go back to previous book to fill in a few parts that I forgot. Basically a fun read on a cold weekend
July 21, 2022
great series
Loved this series will have to read more of his stuff, I wonder if he will continue this series. Thanks
Loved this series will have to read more of his stuff, I wonder if he will continue this series. Thanks
January 16, 2023
Great history
I loved all six books the last being the best ending. Now on to Waterloo.
I could not imagine the hardships suffered by all.
I loved all six books the last being the best ending. Now on to Waterloo.
I could not imagine the hardships suffered by all.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews