Limit this search to....

Napoleon's Swiss Troops
Contributor(s): Greentree, David (Author), Embleton, Gerry (Illustrator)
ISBN: 1849086788     ISBN-13: 9781849086783
Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
OUR PRICE:   $18.00  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: March 2012
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- History | Military - Special Forces
- History | Military - Strategy
- History | Modern - 19th Century
Dewey: 358
LCCN: 2012372765
Series: Men-At-Arms (Osprey)
Physical Information: 0.2" H x 7" W x 9.5" (0.35 lbs) 48 pages
Themes:
- Chronological Period - 19th Century
- Cultural Region - Western Europe
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:

Ever since the 15th century Switzerland had been exporting professional soldiers to serve as mercenaries for foreign monarchies. Napoleon, therefore, was not the first to make full use of the martial qualities of the Swiss and obtained Swiss agreement to expand the recruitment of regiments for service in the French Army. Napoleon would use Swiss troops on the battlefields of Italy and Spain, and in 1812 re-organize the four original regiments into a single division for the invasion of Russia, with each regiment having three full-strength battalions. In all theatres where they were engaged, Swiss contingents would often be relied upon to act as rearguards so other forces caught in a tight situation could escape. Time and again they would be asked to save the day for the French soldiers with whom they fought, in Italy and Spain and most famously for Napoleon himself, in Russia. In November of 1812, meeting up with Napoleon's main force retreating from Moscow at the Berezina River, the Swiss on the west bank guarded the approaches to the pontoon bridges from the Russian attack to the south. 1,200 Swiss, out of approximately 8,000 that entered Russia, were left to face, along with 8,000 men from other units, the 30,000-strong Russian army. The Swiss held their ground and when their ammunition ran out they charged the Russians with bayonets.

This book reveals the proud combat history of the Swiss troops of Napoleon's army as well as the colourful uniforms they wore.


Contributor Bio(s): Embleton, Gerry: - Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator and researcher of historical costume since the 1970s, and has illustrated and written Osprey titles on a wide range of subjects for more than 20 years. He is an internationally respected authority on 15th and 18th century costumes in particular. He lives in Switzerland, where since 1988 he has also become well known for designing and creating life-size historical figures for museums.