A waste of blood and treasure : the 1799 Anglo - Russian invasion of the Netherlands

With the Netherlands overrun by French Republican forces, the British and Russian governments sent an allied army of 48,000 men under the Duke of York to liberate the country and restore the House of Orange. The largest operation mounted by Pitt's ministry during the French Revolutionary Wars, the amphibious expedition involved the first ever direct cooperation between British and Russian forces, embroiled the armies in five full-scale battles, and secured the capture of the Dutch fleet. As Britain's first major continental involvement since 1795, it played a part in shaping the early careers of many famous military commanders of the Napoleonic Wars. In the end, however, the campaign failed spectacularly. Its inglorious end provoked parliamentary outrage and led to diplomatic rupture between Britain and Russia. The Duke of York never commanded an army in the field again. This book examines British, French, Dutch and Russian sources to reveal a fascinating tale of intrigue, diplomatic skulduggery and daring action. Spies, politicians, sailors and soldiers all play a part in the exciting story of an expedition that made (and broke) reputations and tested alliances. It recounts in lavish detail the series of battles fought to liberate a people who showed little interest in being saved and explores the story behind the triumphs and failures of this forgotten campaign. With the Netherlands overrun by French Republican forces, the British and Russian governments sent an allied army of 48,000 men under the Duke of York to liberate the country and restore the House of Orange.The largest operation mounted by Pitt's ministry during the French Revolutionary Wars, the amphibious expedition involved the first ever direct cooperation between British and Russian forces, embroiled the armies in five full-scale battles, and secured the capture of the Dutch fleet. As Britain's first major continental involvement since 1795, it played a part in shaping the early careers of many famous military commanders of the Napoleonic Wars. In the end, however, the campaign failed spectacularly. Its inglorious end provoked parliamentary outrage and led to diplomatic rupture between Britain and Russia. The Duke of York never commanded an army in the field again.This book examines British, French, Dutch and Russian sources to reveal a fascinating tale of intrigue, diplomatic skullduggery and daring action. Spies, politicians, sailors and soldiers all play a part in the exciting story of an expedition that made (and broke) reputations and tested alliances. It recounts in lavish detail the series of battles fought to liberate a people who showed little interest in being saved and explores the story behind the triumphs and failures of this forgotten campaign. Machine Generated Contents Note: Ch. 1 A New Coalition -- Ch. 2 The Secret Expedition -- Ch. 3 Red Coats And Gherkins -- The Anglo-russian Army In 1799 -- Ch. 4 The Enemy -- The Franco-batavian Forces -- Ch. 5 Callantsoog -- The Landing -- Ch. 6 The Vlieter Conspiracy -- The Capture Of The Fleet -- Ch. 7 He Who Hesitates ... Abercromby's Dilemma -- Ch. 8 Krabbendam -- Brune Counterattacks -- Ch. 9 The Grand Old Duke Of York -- The Arrival Of The Allied Commander -- Ch. 10 Bergen -- The Russian Attack -- Ch. 11 The Other Columns -- The British At Bergen -- Ch. 12 The Battle Of Egmond/alkmaar -- 2 October 1799 -- Ch. 13 Egmond -- Battle Of The Dunes -- Ch. 14 Naval Operations -- Ch. 15 The Battle Of Castricum -- Brune's Triumph -- Ch. 16 Capitulation -- Ch. 17 Opinions And Debate. Philip Ball. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. First British Examination Of The Campaign For More Than Forty Years. Examines the Key Factors in Determining the Planning, Realisation and Failure of the Campaign. Tells the Story of the Political and Diplomatic Efforts That Led to the Campaign. Uses Firsthand Accounts to Bring the Land and Sea Battles of the Campaign To Life In Vivid Detail. Tells the story of the expedition from every angle using British. French. Dutch and Russian sources. Book jacket