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âA superb read . . . destined to become the go-to book for anyone interested in this long-neglected period of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.â âThe Napoleon Series  To crush the French Revolution, the armies of the First Coalition gathered round Franceâs borders, the largest of which was assembled in Flanders. Composed of Anglo-Hanoverian, Dutch, Hessian, Prussian and Imperial Austrian troops, its aim was to invade France and restore the nobility to what was considered their rightful place. Opposing them was the French Armée du Nord.  In command of the Anglo-Hanoverian contingent was the son of George III, the Duke of York. The campaign was a disaster for the Coalition forces, particularly during the severe winter of 1794/5 when the troops were forced into a terrible and humiliating retreat. Britainâs reputation and that of its military leaders was severely diminished, with the forces of the Revolution sweeping all before them on a tide of popularism.  Yet, from this defeat grew an army that under the Duke of Wellington would eventually crush the Revolutionâs greatest general, Napoleon Bonaparte. Of the Flanders Campaign, Wellington, who fought as a junior officer under the Duke of York, remarked that the experience had at least taught him what not to do.  Napoleon Series research editor Steve Brown has produced one of the most insightful, and much-needed studies of this disastrous but intriguing campaign, with particular focus on the British Armyâs contribution. With copious maps and nineteen appendices including detailed orders of battle, he concludes this important work with an analysis that draws striking, and significant comparisons with the Flanders campaigns of 1914 and 1940. How history repeats itself . . . |
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