Featured battle : Roliça

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 17 August 1808

The first serious meeting between the British expeditionary force and the French. General Delaborde, with a division [5,000 men] of Junot's corps took up a strong defensive position to delay the far superior British force [13,000] under Wellesley [Wellington]. Due to a misinterpretation of orders the 29th foot, instead of moving to threaten out flanking attacked frontally up a steep slope. The French counter attack obliged Wellesley to send forward his whole line to rescue the 29th. The French were driven off in disorder leaving their guns and some equipment.

British Cruisers. Two World Wars and After

Norman Friedman
Wow! Another book from this author and publisher with the 'wow' factor. Lavishly illustrated with a photograph or line plan on almost every page. The text is packed with technical information, detail, and description of design, construction and application of these important ships. I read it cover to cover finding many nuggets of information on the way. e.g. One particular cruiser fresh out of dock had a range of 12,000nm; the same ship after eight months cruising was 'deep and dirty' had a range of only 8,000nm.
This book is a must for every Royal Navy enthusiast and would be of interest to the general reader. This is the kind of reference book where you find what you are looking for and are then temped to go on reading.
Highly recommended.
Seaforth publishing. Pen & Sword Books Ltd., 2010