British Light Infantry Against Napoleon

The Light Division in the Peninsular War, 1808-1811 is the first half of a two volume work on British light troops in the Peninsular War. The authors, both veterans of The Rifles (the linear heir to the Light Division) and both registered battlefield guides, have written extensively in British is military history.

Saunders and Yuill open with an overview of the 18th century origins of light infantry, essentially elite troops trained in both traditional tactics and skirmishing and irregular tactics, and armed with rifled muskets, with a particular emphasis on the British experience. They then cover the British campaign in Spain in 1808 in some detail, which culminated in the desperate retreat to Corunna, during which the light infantry proved remarkably effective.

They then return to the Peninsula the following year, in which the later Duke of Wellington began his protracted and ultimately successful campaign to drive the French out of Iberia. A “Light Division” was formed in his army which played a critical role in all of the subsequent operations through to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Naturally the authors only carry events down to the end of 1811, by which time despite numerous successes on the part of British and their Spanish and Portuguese allies, the French still retained a grip on much of Spain. We get a lot of battles, with a focus on the role of the light infantry, as well as retreats, sieges, and even irregular operations

Saunders and Yuill shift easily from discussions of tactics and organization to observations on various personnel, notably Sir John Moore, Wellington, and Robert Craufurd, and, of course, accounts of many engagements. Good use is made of side bars (e.g., types of weapons and ammunition, the Portuguese Army, Commissariat, etc.) which clarify technical details without interrupting the flow of the narrative.

The Light Division in the Peninsular War is a very rood read, and even those familiar with the period and the Peninsular War will likely find it useful.

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Note: The Light Division in the Peninsular War is also available in several e-editions.

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