Featured battle : Somosierra

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 29 November 1808 - 30 November 1808

San Juan's force were sent to hold up the French approach to Madrid by blocking the Somosierra Pass. On the 29th San Juan's forward positions in the village of Sepulveda were over run. On the 30th troops fron Victor's corps were working their way round the Spanish position when Napoleon ordered his personal escort cavalry to charge straight up the pass. They almost succeeded but 60 of the 80 were killed. A more coordinated attack of infantry supported by guns and in the later stages heavy cavalry eventually won the day. San Juan was killed by his own men when he attempted to stem their flight.

Waterloo Battlefield Guide

David Buttery
From the outset this book delivered more than I was expecting. Not only was there a description of the many places relevant to the Waterloo story placed, of course, in their modern setting to make them easy to find; but there was also a narrative of the battle with the troop dispositions and timings as accurate as you will find anywhere else. The maps and illustrations are numerous and good servants to the text. I read the book before my visit to Belgium and, having now used it extensively while there, my advice to the would be visitor is read it before you go and don't go without it. Highly recommended.
Pen & Sword Family Military, 2013