British Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815

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British Napoleonic Infantry Tactics 1792-1815
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Softcover - 64 pages
Publisher: Osprey
Series: Elite 164
Price: £11.99
ISBN: 9781846032226

Introduction

This is the latest instalment in Osprey's huge range of short studies focussed on the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. As the title clearly spells out, it specifically addresses British Army infantry tactics during this period, and forms a companion piece to the earlier Elite study on Imperial French Army Infantry Tactics (reviewed by yours truly at the end of 2007). The highly respected author Philip Haythornthwaite writes this latest study, ably supported by centrespread illustrations from the pen of artist Steve Noon.

The British Army was a constant, if minor player in the Napoleonic Wars. Britain never fielded huge forces on par with the gigantic European armies of France, Russia or Austria. Without exception, the British Army was reliant upon Portuguese, Spanish, Belgian and Dutch allies (in terms of manpower) during the Peninsula, French and Waterloo Campaigns. The British Army's cavalry arm was woeful (with the notable exception of their achievements at Sahagun) and their artillery, contrary to popular belief, was ordinary by European standards. So how did the British Army ultimately gain its reputation as a battle turning force? The simple answer is through the blood and guts of their poor bloody infantry who were expected to stand firm against any French assault. This study provides the wider tactical context behind the British infantryman's taciturn steadfastness.

Contents

The study opens with a brief overview of that most onerous of military publications the Eighteenth Century drill manual, specifically Dundas' Principles of Military Movement (1788). These manuals prescribed in detail how infantry companies and battalions would manoeuvre on the battlefield, changing from column formation into line, or forming a battalion defensive square (to receive cavalry). These manuals dictated the mathematics behind each manoeuvre, in terms of paces to be taken, and the geometry of each 'wheeled' movement. Here the author provides a concise explanation of Dundas' eighteen manoeuvres principles, which is supported by diagrams from the original manual. Whilst the Dundas manual was the adopted British Army text on this subject, the study makes it very clear that the battlefield experience rarely replicated the drill square - something all recruits, to this day, can vouch for.

The next three sections of the study cover the organisation of the battalion, which was the standard battlefield unit, marching and formations, including the standard battalion column, line and square, and finally the musket, whose performance (or otherwise) was the determining factor behind all infantry drill movements. Most Napoleonic students will be familiar with these elements of the study - there is nothing new raised by the study. I believe that the repetition of this information is merited as it reinforces the most fundamental aspect of British infantry doctrine - the need to remain steady in the face of the enemy.

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The next section covers light infantry units, who could trace their roots back to the British Army's experiences during the French Indian War and the American Revolution. Contrary to popular history, the British Army was not alone in deploying light infantry forces as part of their line - it was common practise among all the belligerents of the Napoleonic period. It is noteworthy that the study correctly places the role of light companies (and other units such as the 60th and 95th Rifle Regts) as skirmishers fighting ahead of the line but importantly still part the line formation. This serves as a timely rebuttal to the comic book antics portrayed in the Sharpe novels.

Following on from this section is an examination of how drill manual theory was applied in the field. Confusion and general incompetence at Officer and SNCO level is telling, as are the overall complexities and difficulties of applying manual theory under fire. The overarching impression is that pragmatism once again won over idealism. It is interesting to note that General Dundas looked down upon his fellow Officers, particularly their inability to grasp what he believed to be relatively simple concepts. This section also re-examines the argument of line versus column formation; an argument that remains unresolved.

The title concludes with a brief examination of so-called 'special operations', namely, storming and amphibious assault. These two sections are interesting because they clearly demonstrate an inability (by any army of this period) to master these risky operations. Successful sieges in the Peninsula are balanced by disastrous misadventures in Argentina (1807) and the Low Countries (1814). It is equally interesting to note that whilst the bravery demonstrated during the costly infantry assaults upon French Fortifications is recounted by the author, subsequent atrocities visited upon the besieged are conveniently omitted. The painful battlefield experiences during the North American Campaign (1812) are also omitted.

Original Artwork

Steve Noon's original artwork, which forms the centrespread for this title, deserves special mention. Across eight plates, Mr Noon illustrates typical examples of infantry field manoeuvres, from an initial depiction of a battalion advancing to position in column, through to their defensive deployment in line (along a reserve slope) and concluding with an overview of light company skirmishers deployed ahead of the line. For the purposes of clarity, Mr Noon has removed all trace of lingering smoke from his battlefields, which is just as well as it provides a better understanding of infantry formations.

Conclusion

I will be completely honest; studies focussed purely on tactical doctrine normally leave me cold. My previous review, of French Infantry tactics, was an exception as I usually play as the Napoleonic French Army in PC wargames. Never the less, it is always useful to know your 'enemy' and my own, increasingly distant, connections with a now (sadly) historic British Army infantry regiment helped to make this study more readable.

Those readers familiar with the turgid Prussian drill manuals of the Seven Years War will find this study light in comparison. Whilst it does de-mystify certain aspects of Eighteenth Century infantry drill, other elements remain as incomprehensible as ever; in fairness to the author, he openly acknowledges this fact. My overriding impression after reading this study is that while the tactical doctrine introduced by the Dundas Manuals may well have reinforced the latent discipline present within an infantry regiment, it did not offer any superiority to the tactics used by opposing forces. Equally, the dubious quality of the British Army's Officer Corps and Senior NCOs provided no real edge over the French. In my opinion, the British Army's genuine success was largely built upon the backs of ordinary infantryman who were stoically able to absorb huge amounts of punishment on the battlefield. Strangely, the infantry's greatest achievement, victory against overwhelming odds at the Battle of Albuera, only receives fleeting mention in this study.

This study will serve the wargamer very well. The British Army's defence to offence infantry tactics are clearly explained. However, the study does lack a clear chronology and it would appear that British infantry tactics hardly developed at all during this period. Given that many of the drills illustrated in the book (particularly the defensive square) were still being used during the later Colonial period this may be an overly harsh criticism. There is also much to recommend this study to the modeller. In this respect, Steve Noon's drawings help to provide a sense of scale to the Napoleonic battlefield and could serve to inspire a diorama or vignette. Anyone up for building a British square at Waterloo?

My thanks to Osprey for providing the review sample.

For full information on all Osprey Publishing titles, please see their website: Osprey Publishing