Title
Wellington's Guns: The Untold Story of Wellington and his Artillery in the Peninsula and at Waterloo (General Military),Used
Delivery time: 8-12 business days (International)
The history books have forgotten the artillery of Wellington's army during the Napoleonic Wars, but in this book Nick Lipscombe offers a study of the gunners through firsthand accounts, bringing life and color to their heroic actions.Wellington was, without doubt, a brilliant field commander, but his leadership style was abrupt and occasionally uncompromising, especially to his artillery. He trained his infantry generals as divisional commanders but not army commanders; for his cavalry commanders he had little time often pouring scorn on their inability to control their units and formation in battle; but it was his artillery commanders that he kept at arm's length in particular, suspicious of their different chain of higher command and of their selection through ability, rather than privilege. In consequence, Wellington's relationship with his gunners was dutiful at best, and occasionally failed completely. Frequently frustrated by his lack of control and influence over the artillery off the battlefield, Wellington would occasionally overexert his authority on it, personally deploying the guns sometimes against the advice of his experts. Wellington's personal distrust culminated in a letter to The Master General of the Ordnance in December 1815 in which he commented, 'to tell you the truth, I was not very pleased with the Artillery in the battle of Waterloo'. This resulted in the mistaken belief that the gunners performed badly at this crucial battle, supposedly abandoning their guns and fleeing the field, in direct contrast to French eyewitness accounts.Wellington's Guns is the long overdue story of this often stormy relationship, the frustrations, challenges, the characters, and the achievements of the main protagonists as well as a detailed account of the British artillery of this period. Even with the valiant contribution of some 12,000 gunner officers, NCOs and rank and file, five battery honour titles, and numerous primary accounts, this is a story which has never been told. This despite the fact that the artillery itself was revolutionized during the course of the Napoleonic Wars from developing the vital 'dangerclose' missions in the woods of Hougoumont, Belgium to the mountain gun attacks during the Pyrenean campaign of the Peninsular War and creeping barrages and Congreve rockets in all theatres, with the ultimate result that the artillery itself became a crucial component of any future and indeed modern army.
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⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
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Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Wellington's Guns'? A: 'Wellington's Guns' primarily focuses on the often-overlooked role of artillery in Wellington's army during the Napoleonic Wars, detailing the experiences and contributions of the gunners through first-hand accounts.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Nick Lipscombe, who provides in-depth analysis and historical insights into the artillery used in the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: 'Wellington's Guns' is classified as a used book in good condition, which means it may show some signs of wear but is still intact and readable.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: The book contains 400 pages, offering a comprehensive look at the artillery's history and its significance during the Napoleonic Wars.
- Q: What type of binding does the book have? A: 'Wellington's Guns' is available in hardcover binding, which provides durability and a classic presentation.
- Q: When was 'Wellington's Guns' published? A: 'Wellington's Guns' was published on September 17, 2013, and is available as a first edition.
- Q: What are some key themes discussed in the book? A: Key themes include Wellington's complex relationships with his artillery commanders, the evolution of artillery tactics, and the heroic actions of the British gunners during critical battles.
- Q: Is there any specific content about the Battle of Waterloo? A: Yes, the book addresses misconceptions about the performance of the artillery during the Battle of Waterloo, contrasting British narratives with French eyewitness accounts.
- Q: What makes this book unique compared to other military history books? A: 'Wellington's Guns' is unique in its focus on the artillery aspect of Wellington's campaigns, bringing to light stories and experiences that have often been overshadowed in broader military histories.
- Q: Can I find primary accounts of artillery soldiers in the book? A: Yes, the book includes numerous primary accounts from gunners, offering personal insights into their experiences and contributions during the Napoleonic Wars.