Featured battle : Rocroi

Part of The Thirty Years War

Date : 18 May 1643 - 19 May 1643

The Spaniards were intent on capturing the important fortress of Rocroi to prevent this the French sent an army to its relief. The battlelines were drawn up with the Spaniards having superiority in number of men and guns. The first day was confined to a cavalry skirmish and an exchange of gun fire. The second day was a full scale engagement. The French right wing destroyed their opposition and were able to attack the centre to relieve their own left wing which was faring badly. After a close run struggle the French won a decisive victory losing only 2,200 men to the Spanish loss of 14,500.

Peninsular and Waterloo General

Marcus de la Poer Beresford
Here we have a life story which would stretch credulity as a novel but this is no imaginary creation. Denis Pack not only attended many battles but got into the thick of most of them. Multiple times he left the battlefield wounded and as many times he stayed on the battlefield wounded. He lead men in battles in South Africa, South America, the Peninsular and at Waterloo. He knew both defeat and victory and as well as wounds he also suffered imprisonment. He died in London of a ruptured blood vessel aged only 46 years old. His character both as a man and as a commander of men is beautifully drawn out in this book.
This is a large well-researched book which contains material not previously published presented in an easy readable style. Also there are a number of sketch maps and a good set of relevant photographs.
A jolly good read which we highly recommend.

Pen & Sword Military, 2022