Spanish Army of the Napoleonic Wars (2): 1808-1812 vol 2

The French ‘invasion by stealthвЂTM of her uneasy ally Spain, and the final proclamation of NapoleonвЂTMs brother Joseph as king, led in May 1808 to the spontaneous outbreak of a war of resistance which would be waged with unparalleled savagery for the next six years. SpainвЂTMs stubborn refusal to submit, despite repeated defeats, was typified by epic sieges such as Zaragoza and Gerona, and by the nationwide guerrilla warfare which tied down huge numbers of the occupiers and gave the modern world a new concept of armed resistance.

The French 'invasion by stealth' of her uneasy ally Spain, and the final proclamation of Napoleon's brother Joseph as king, led to the spontaneous outbreak of a war of resistance in May 1808 that would rage for six years. Despite Napoleon's clear advantage, the Spanish Army was never completely destroyed, their stubborn resistance typified by epic sieges at Zaragoza and Gerona and nationwide guerrilla warfare. The second of three volumes, this book examines the history, uniforms and equipment of the Spanish Army who, with the help of guerrillas and 'armed peasantry', stood up to Napoleon's Grand Army against all odds.

An illustrated military history in the MEN-AT-ARMS series as well as being the first in a three volume set on the subject of the Spanish army of the Napoleonic Wars. It covers the years from 1793 to 1808 and includes the 1801 War of the Oranges in Portugal and the 1808 Spanish victory at Bailen. A second of three volumes on the organisation, uniforms, and weapons of the Spanish Army in Europe in the MEN-AT-ARMS series. This book considers 1808 to 1812. IN THE SUMMER OF 1808 the Spanish nation was flushed by its incredible victory over General Dupont's French army at Bailen.