Wellington's Battlefields illustrated. Bussaco ... With numerous original maps, and illustrations from photographs, etc. (Photo of Churchill inserted.) First edition. Signed.
London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., [replaced by George Allen & Unwin with label], 1910. 8vo. [18]. 260pp. Presentation copy from the author. Orignial maroon cloth, discoloured...7 folding maps in rear folder. Photograph of Chuchill at a book event, signing a document...OCLC Number / Unique Identifier:
776595900...by G.L. Chambers, Lt.-Col., late commandant of the Madras Artillery Volunteers, and formerly of the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers, lately member of the Madras Legislative Council, Chairman of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and President of the Anglo-Indian Association of Madras ; with numerous original maps, and illustrations from photographs taken by the author on the spot.....he Battle of Bussaco/Buçaco was fought September 27th, 1810:......Wellington chose the Sierra do Bussaco to defend against Masséna's invading army.....
Wellington's army consisted of about 25,000 British, 25,000 Portuguese & 78 guns, against 60,000 French with 112 guns......
This was the third invasion of Portugal by French forces......
Wellington wanted to delay the French as long as possible while the lines of Torres Vedras were being constructed. He also ordered food to be destroyed or moved behind the lines near Lisbon, in order to deny the enemy the supplies they'd need to survive in the Portuguese winter......
The Bussaco ridge, is high & very steep, it intersects the road to Coimbra & Lisbon, providing the best defensive position on the French route of invasion......
Opening the battle Masséna ordered Ney & Reyner to attack up the ridge while Wellington made use of the "Reverse Slope" tactic......
As the French columns crested the ridge they attempted to deploy into line but the columns struggled to deploy, when the British & Portuguese regiments closed to them, delivering deadly volley fire. Item #51-7192
Price: $250.00