Clash of Steel
for Military History & Aviation enthusiasts

Search :

Review for In the Peninsula with a French Hussar


Author/Director : A J M De Rocca. Intoduction by Philip Haythornthw

Format : Book

De Rocca's account was first published in English in 1815. This book is the unabridged presentation of that work with a new introduction by Philip Haythornthwaite and additional maps. De Rocca was not involved in any of the major battles in the Peninsula and that is the most valuable part of this book. It is a rich insight into all the other tasks performed by light cavalry in support of an army of occupation. Garrison duties, scouting, escorting and dispatch carrying all feature in the day to day tasks which De Rocca carried out. The underlying theme running through all his duties was finding enough to eat for himself and his horses.
For the general reader I would recommend this book as a jolly good read maintaining interest from beginning to the end. For the military buff I can recommend this unique insight into the effects of the Spanish Guerrillas on the front-line fighting ability of the French as seen through the eyes of one who was there.

Published by : Frontline Books. Pen & Sword Books \ltd., 2017
ISBN : 978-1-47388-261-4

Review last updated : 2017-06-30 10:58:36


See also : other "Napoleonic Wars" reviews