Napoleon and Iberia: The Twin Sieges of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida, 1810

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.: Greenhill Press, 1994. New book, 421 pages. In 1810, the fortresses of Cuidad Rodrigo and Almeida were crucial to both British and French strategy in the Peninsula. Wellington's plans to mobilise and defend Portugal depended upon resistance to the Emperor's troops at the frontier; Massena's successful seige of Cuidad Rodrigo from April to July that year was intended as the prelude to invasion from Spain. The seige of Almeida, which followed in August, was concluded within twelve days. Meanwhile, however, the main British and Portuguese effort was directed at the critical Lines of Torres Vedras protecting Lisbon, which were completed during the time that the attention of the French were held elsewhere. Based on original correspondence in the private archives of the Massena family and various archival collections in France, Portugal, Spain and England. This book is an oustanding account of the sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo and Almeida and the attendant military operations. Donald Howard provides an analysis of siege warfare and a detailed narratice of the two sieges with all their accomanying logistical problems, set in the context of Wellington's overall strategy for the defence of Portugal and the outcome of the whole Peninsular campaign. The author's extensive topographical research, supported by many maps and photographs, gives an admirable clarity to descriptions of complex operations, and contributes to making this an indispensible study of the vital twin sieges.. Hard Cover. As New/Very Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.