Men-at-Arms
3 primary works • 8 total works
Book 55
Book 87
Book 180
v. 239
France was to call up a total of 1,600,000 men during the Napoleonic Wars, of whom a mere 600,000 were to survive. For those conscripted into service, one of the better fates would be recruitment as a cavalryman. Napoleon's dragoons were not just any band of individuals sorted and labelled cavalrymen; they were mounted infantrymen, trained to be adept with both musket and sabre, and proud of that distinction. Originally mounted for the sake of mobility but generally fighting on foot, they evolved into an army equally at home sabring at the charge as firing dismounted.
Much has been made of Napoleon's Marshals' personal rivalries, jealousies, greed and lust for power. They had every soldier's vices and virtues; they were glory-seeking, self-aggrandiazing and envious of social status. Napoleon's method of command was such that he expected his marshals to obey, not initiate; and he slowly set out to ensure that his senior officers became merely blind agents who executed his orders without hesitation, discussion or personal opinion. Emir Bukhari presents an account of these soldiers who, whilst far from brilliant strategists, nevertheless performed a vital role and were exceptional leaders of men during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815).
The Republican Roman army suffered heavy losses as a result of the ‘hit and run’ tactics employed by the Hispanics in Ancient Spain. After preparatory chanting, the Celt-Iberians would attack en masse and in apparent disorder. At a pre-arranged signal the warriors would retreat as if defeated. This sequence might be repeated over several days, until finally the Romans lost their discipline and broke formation in pursuit. At this point the Hispanics would quickly mount a counter-attack that would decimate the legions. This volume explores the organisation, tactics, history, arms and armour of Rome's Spanish enemies.
Details the army of Mexico from the collapse of the Classic centres in around 850AD until the arrival of the Spanish armies around 1520, including the Aztecs, Toltecs and their enemies. Between 1000BC and 900AD the peoples of Mexico and Central America developed and shared cultural traits which made them outstanding among the civilizations of the New World from the rise of the Maya cities in the lowland jungles to the highland Mexican capitals of Teotihuacan, Cholula and Monte Alban. This book details the emergence of the new Mexican nation called the Aztec Empire of the Triple Alliance in 1450AD. It examines the people and enemies of this nation which made themselves the most powerful and feared civilization in the Americas.
By the end of the nineteenth century the fame of the Zulu was world-wide, and their army was one of the few non-European military organisations to have become the subject of serious historical study. Their very name is still synonymous with bravery, discipline and military skill. This excellent addition to Osprey's Men-at-Arms series tells the story of the Zulu's at war, from their rise to unrivalled power under the fearsome Shaka to the final devastating defeat against the British at Ulundi, detailing Zulu weapons and tactics, and the famous battles in which they fought.
Napoleon's Hussars made their first real impact in 1806 with their astonishing pursuit of the Prussians over 1,160km from the river Saale to the Oder in twenty-five days. They then capped this feat on arrival when, by dint of audacious demonstrations by the 500 men of the combined 5th and 7th Hussars, the 6,000-strong Prussian garrison was bluffed into capitulating its fortress at Stettin along with 160 cannon. This splendid volume by Emir Bukhari describes the organisation, war records, dress and equipment of these most colourful of Napoleon's troops.