Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars, 1792–1815

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars, 1792–1815
Author: Kevin F. Kiley
Publisher: Frontline Books
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2004-01-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 1784380091

An extensive look at the large-caliber guns of the Napoleonic period, the battles in which they were used, and the important figures in those conflicts. In this heavily researched study, Kevin Kiley examines Napoleon’s own artillery as well as that employed by his enemies, and he evaluates the gunners’ contribution to warfare in the period. By looking at particular battles in detail, Kevin Kiley shows just how the effective employment of artillery could tip the scales of victory. Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars reveals much of the technical aspects of gunnery during the period—how guns were placed, their range, what calibers were preferred, how artillery operates. It examines French artillery, including that of the Imperial Guard, and compares it to that of Britain, Russia, and Austria; it also looks at many of the personalities involved and the difference between good gunnery and mediocre artillery. Illustrated with beautiful line drawings and rare contemporary plates, this unique book reveals a whole new dimension to the Napoleonic period. Based on years of research into regulations of the period, eyewitness accounts of artillerymen, and material culled from official reports, this is a definitive account. “This must undoubtedly become the standard work for anyone interested in the artillery of the period.” —Waterloo Journal

Napoleon's Guns 1792–1815 (2)

Napoleon's Guns 1792–1815 (2)
Author: René Chartrand
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2003-06-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781841764603

This volume is the second half of the story of the French artillery during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. It covers the howitzers, mortars and large siege (16- and 24-pdrs) and garrison (8- and 12-pdrs) guns, placing a special emphasis on their role, technical significance and operational use. The introduction of the Gribeauval system put in place a collection of mortars and large guns that were lighter and more manageable than those previously used, while offering first class hitting power.

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars Volume II

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars Volume II
Author: Kevin Kiley
Publisher: Frontline Books
Total Pages: 370
Release: 2015-06-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1848326378

Napoleon was an artilleryman before he was an emperor. He understood the power and effectiveness of cannon and their ability to pulverise defences, reduce fortresses and destroy attacks. In return, the guns won Napoleon battles. This impressive study chronicles the story of the guns and men during the twenty-three years of almost continuous warfare from 1792_1815: from the battlefields of continental Europe to the almost primitive terrain of North America and of the seas, lakes and rivers that connected them. Detailed technical information is accompanied by vivid descriptions which allow the reader to imagine what it must have been liked to manoeuvre and man the guns in a variety of situations _ whether on the march or on the battlefield. Based on years of research into regulations of the period, eyewitness accounts of artillerymen and material culled from official reports, the scope and depth of material will satisfy the serious researcher, while the lively narrative will appeal to the casual reader.

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars: A Concise Dictionary, 1792–1815

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars: A Concise Dictionary, 1792–1815
Author: Kevin F. Kiley
Publisher: Frontline Books
Total Pages: 574
Release: 2021-03-15
Genre: History
ISBN: 1848329555

A comprehensive military history reference book exploring all aspects of the artillery used during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon began his military career as an artillery cadet and artillery played a fundamental part in all his great battles. Until the Napoleonic Wars artillery had been seen merely as a supporting arm to the infantry, but Napoleon changed everything. He massed his guns in huge batteries to blast holes in his opponent’s line. He even used the artillery to charge the enemy, the gunners galloping up to the enemy to open fire at pointblank range. Napoleon’s opponents did not all follow suit, choosing other tactical deployments. As a result, the Napoleonic era, more than any that preceded or followed it, was one of fascinating artillery maneuvers and critical actions that changed the course of many of the key battles. As the Prussian Field Marshal Blucher once observed, “Against Napoleon you needed guns – and lots of them!” The Napoleonic Wars was also a time of innovation, with the introduction of shrapnel shells and military rockets. This book will examine the artillery arms of all sides from ‘muzzle to butt plate’. As well as the significant artillerymen of the period, the scientists, and innovators, military and civilian—individuals such as Robins, Belidor, Gribeauval and his colleagues, Maritz, Liechtenstein and his collaborators, as well as the du Teil brothers – will all be examined, as will the important battles and sieges, significant memoirs and documents, and artillery terms that soon became part of the military lexicon. Written by the renowned historian Kevin F. Kiley, this will be the definitive book on the subject and will cover all aspects of artillery in the Napoleonic Wars. “This is a wonderfully complete induction into the details of Napoleonic Artillery. As well as defining some of the archaic terms associated with the art of gunnery (note; point blank is not what we mostly believe it to be) it provides background to the careers of the key characters in the science. The book contains many excellent technical drawings to explain, sketches and images to inform and data tables in the appendix to which to refer. Overall, it is an indispensable aid to understanding the artillery of the period.” —Michael McCarthy, battlefield guide

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars: Artillery in Siege, Fortress and Navy, 1792–1815

Artillery of the Napoleonic Wars: Artillery in Siege, Fortress and Navy, 1792–1815
Author: Kevin F. Kiley
Publisher: Frontline Books
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2015-06-30
Genre: History
ISBN: 1473848741

“Filled with statistical information on the guns, ammunition, and carriages, used by the armies . . . places the reader on the ground with the gunners.”—The Napoleon Series Napoleon was an artilleryman before he was an emperor. He understood the power and effectiveness of cannon and their ability to pulverize defenses, reduce fortresses and destroy attacks. In return, the guns won Napoleon battles. This impressive study chronicles the story of the guns and men during the twenty-three years of almost continuous warfare from 1792–1815: from the battlefields of continental Europe to the almost primitive terrain of North America and of the seas, lakes and rivers that connected them. Detailed technical information is accompanied by vivid descriptions which allow the reader to imagine what it must have been liked to maneuver and man the guns in a variety of situations—whether on the march or on the battlefield. Based on years of research into regulations of the period, eyewitness accounts of artillerymen and material culled from official reports, the scope and depth of material will satisfy the serious researcher, while the lively narrative will appeal to the casual reader. “Kiley’s research is impeccable and deserves the highest praise. Moreover, he writes in so entertaining a manner that he informs and educates without effort . . . For the enthusiastic student of the attack and defense of fortified places this is an essential book of reference.”—Fortress Study Group

Prussian Napoleonic Tactics 1792–1815

Prussian Napoleonic Tactics 1792–1815
Author: Peter Hofschröer
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 65
Release: 2011-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1849083002

Written by an expert on the Prussian army of the Napoleonic era, this is a fascinating insight into the 18th-century evolution of the Prussian forces into the war-winning troops of the final battles against Napoleon. Using contemporary materials including drill regulations, instructions, staff and regimental histories and after-action reports, this book provides a compelling history of Prussian tactics from 1792 until 1815. It includes studies of the professional Prussian army during the Revolutionary Wars and the mass mobilization of a conscript army that fought during the Wars of Liberation and Waterloo. Following on from the success of Osprey's other Elite Tactics volumes, this is a must-have for serious students of Napoleonic warfare, armchair generals, and wargamers alike.

Armies of the Napoleonic Wars

Armies of the Napoleonic Wars
Author: Gregory Fremont-Barnes
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
Total Pages: 404
Release: 2011-02-07
Genre: History
ISBN: 1783032081

The armies of the Napoleonic Wars fought in a series of devastating campaigns that disturbed the peace of Europe for twelve years, yet the composition, organization and fighting efficiency of these forces receive too little attention. Each force tends to be examined in isolation or in the context of an individual battle or campaign or as the instrument of a famous commander. Rarely have these armies been studied together in a single volume as they are in this authoritative and fascinating reassessment edited by Gregory Fremont-Barnes.Leading experts on the Napoleonic Wars have been specially commissioned to produce chapters on each of the armed forces that took part in this momentous era in European history. The result is a vivid comparative portrait of ten of the most significant armies of the period, and of military service and warfare in the early nineteenth century. The book will be essential reading and reference for all students of the Napoleonic era.Covers the armies of Austria, Britain, the Confederation of the Rhine, the Duchy of Warsaw, France, the Kingdom of Italy, Portugal, Prussia, Russia and Spain.

British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars

British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars
Author: Philip Haythornthwaite
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 68
Release: 2016-10-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 1472816080

In an age when infantry units manoeuvred and fought in rigid blocks, the idea of encouraging initiative and allowing a unit to 'skirmish' was regarded as revolutionary and fell out of favour in the years following the French-Indian and American Revolutionary wars. It was revived by far-sighted British and foreign-mercenary officers, who observed the way in which French Revolutionary armies deployed skirmishers to prepare the way for their assault columns. Offering a detailed analysis of the tactics, this book is studded with period 'battle descriptions' quoted from eye-witness accounts, creating a comprehensive guide to the Light and Rifles units of Wellington's Light Division. As the result of the first tentative experiments in skirmishing the units achieved an unsurpassed peak of efficiency – they marched faster, were versatile in any sort of tactical situation and could shoot more accurately than either friend or foe. No other national army, either allied or enemy, achieved these standards.

The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon

The Art of Warfare in the Age of Napoleon
Author: Gunther E. Rothenberg
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Total Pages: 296
Release: 1980
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780253202604

Some 12 years ago it was estimated that well over 300,000 works existed on this period and since then several thousand more have appeared. Therefore, it might be reasonably argued that there is little room for another volume. Nonetheless, this vast outpouring of literature has usually dealt with major leaders, specific battles or campaigns, and with certain branches of the service. Moreover, at least in English, the literature tends to concentrate primarily on the French or British armies. There appears to be a lack of works combining a description of the major changes and trends in the art of war, especially at the cutting edge of events, with a discussion of the French military establishment and the armies of the major opponents, British as well as continental. And while this book is only a brief survey, I do believe that it may serve as a contribution towards filling this gap in our historical knowledge of military institutions and fighting men.

Napoleon's Last Victory and the Emergence of Modern War

Napoleon's Last Victory and the Emergence of Modern War
Author: Robert M. Epstein
Publisher:
Total Pages: 240
Release: 1994
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN:

Presenting a significant new interpretation of Napoleonic warfare, Robert M. Epstein argues persuasively that the true origins of modern war can be found in the Franco-Austrian War of 1809. Epstein contends that the 1809 war -- with its massive and evenly matched armies, multiple theaters of operation, new command-and-control schemes, increased firepower, frequent stalemates, and large-scale slaughter -- had more in common with the American Civil War and subsequent conflicts that with the decisive Napoleonic campaigns that preceded it. - Jacket flap.