Customer Reviews

Weapons & Equipment Of The Napoleonic Wars

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though originally published in 1979, the 1996 edition reviewed here is a welcome addition to any reader's library. Amply interspersed with diagrams and illustrations, the book does also offer good detail on the types of weapons, including comments on their effectiveness in battle. The sections covering Infantry and Cavalry do not just discuss their respective weaponry; the tactics of each arm on the battlefield are also discussed in clear and concise terms. Artillery is described in like manner, allowing any reader unfamiliar with Napoleonic tactics (and wishing to learn about them) to establish a solid foundation of understanding with this book. Highly recommended for all readers, novices and historians alike.

I first found this book in the 1980's and it is still an EXCELLENT source for the subject. As an historical reenactor, collector, historical artist and researcher, I rely on books of this caliber to find just the information I need. Even if you are a novice in the field of Napoleanics, this tome makes the study of this subject a pleasure. Not TOO technical, but IN DEPTH enough for the advanced student. When you read Haythornthwaite's books YOU ARE THERE !

Reading a book about the equipment of the Napoleonic Wars could potentially be quite boring. Imagine endless explantions of the weight of a musketball or the length of a bayonette. Haythornthwaite however creates a book which is easy to read, short, interesting, and yet full of detailed information about the arms and equipment of the Napoleonic Wars. Haythornthwaite has once again excelled at conveying a large ammount of information in a concise book. As with his other works his lack of description, anecdotes, or opinion is countered by the artwork. Coupled together the reader will get the hard facts of Haythornthwaite while the artwork will act as his description. This is one of the many "must" have's. The book will give those interested in the subject of Napoleonic warfare an idea of how and why they fought the way they did.

The text of this book was initially published in 1979. For this new edition, an extended bibliography and new illustrations were added. This is an oversized, hardcover work that provides a nice introduction to infantry, cavalry, and artillery weapons and tactics. Haythornthwaite also covers engineers, staff and supplies, uniforms and equipment, and living conditions. Useful appendices, a bibliography, glossary, and index round out this book. This short primer on the weaponry and battle accessories of the period remains an ideal source for historians, re-enactors, modellers, and wargamers.

It should be noted, that the book is limited mostly to the British and French weapons and equipment, providing little information on the Austrian and Prussian weapons and equipment, and very few on the Russian - accompanied literally with only 4 line drawings.
It is evident, than in 1979 (when the book was first published) Author had no access to the Russian sources, and had to relay upon the foreign, mostly British. Thus, several mistakes should be pointed out.
It seems to be doubtful that all Russian infantry firearms were of so poor design (p 22) that to overrun the quality problem government had to import firearms (from Britain and Austria). The reason for that was mainly the low production capacity of the Russian armories, insufficient to cover needs of the growing army during the emergency period. Thus, 60 000 British muskets, purchased in 1804 (on the eve of the 3rd anti-French Coalition) were in fact not "distributed as rewards to deserving soldiers" but to whole regiments for the purpose of uniformity (after 1811 all British muskets were collected in 3rd and 14th infantry divisions). The quality of the new-produced Russian firearms (formerly inferior to Western) was improved greatly up to 1812 (due to investments in Tula and Sestroretsk armories) and from that time had become comparable to other European arms. The last pattern, introduced during the period - M1808 smooth-bore musket (actually, copied from the French AN IX) had all parts and details interchangeable with other muskets of the same pattern. Due to the improved quality service life of firearms had been extended to 40 years.
It is true that Russian army of the period used firearms of 40 different calibers. But, in fact, this caused no logistic problem, since each regiment had bullet molds for its muskets (new weapons were delivered from the factory together with fitting molds) and each soldier had been issued with paper and powder to produce cartridges
Both Russian other ranks swords (hangers) - M1798 and M1807 had curved blades, not "straight" (p 30).
There is some misinterpretation as to General Kutaisov's (Chief of Artillery, Russian 1st Western Army, 1812) order, stating that "The artillery must be prepared to sacrifice itself...Fire your last charge of canister at point-blank range! A battery which is captured after this have inflicted casualties on the enemy which will more thank compensate for the loss of the guns" (p 71). It should be remembered that this order had been issued in specific moment and atmosphere literally on the day before the decisive battle of Borodino. Such action does not reflect the regular practice, and was not required under 1812 "Regulation for the Artillery" written by Kutaisov himself. Moreover, tsar in his rescript to Kutuzov had forbidden rewarding officers who would lose guns during the battle!
Being a modeler, I think this book is lacking good quality line drawings showing all patterns of regulation firearms and edged weapons of ALL fighting armies of the period. But if you are enthusiast for military history and Napoleonic era - this title is worth reading.

Ok, I rated it 3 stars. This because the book, very good about the eqpt, fail a little about how it was used, I mean tactics, and is not so comprehensive. Specially the cavalry and infantry subjects, lot of things to add. And there is some misquotations, one of them: when the cavalry `charges home' (attack) it runs from behind the enemy towards his own line, not the contrary.
Even so a good choice for begginers.