Fontenoy 1745: Cumberland's bloody defeat (Campaign Book 307)

I suggested to Osprey for years they publish a book on the battle of Fontenoy, the bloodiest of the War of the Austrian Succession. This is a rather obscure battle but one of the bloodiest of the 18th century and one of the greatest French military victories. The Irish Brigade at the battle fighting for France is still remembered with pride in Ireland today. A British and Dutch army under the Duke of Cumberland, who became infamous for his treatment of the Jacobites after his victory at Culloden the following year was defeated by a French army commanded by Maurice de Saxe with King Louis XV watching from a distance. Saxe lured the Allies into attacking his redoubts, imitating Peter the Great at Poltava in 1709 when a Swedish army was defeated after attacking the Russian positions head on. The Dutch and British did just that and after a savage battle that lasted for hours they were defeated. The author's account of the bloody fighting was so gripping and detailed I hated having to put the book down before finishing it. The illustrations were ok but I wish Peter Dennis had illustrated the book as nobody can depict the carnage and intensity of battle like he can. The maps of the battlefield today were really nice, and it saddened me to read that the battlefield has been urbanised so it looks nothing like it did in 1745. As Louis XV toured the battlefield that evening, covered with dead and wounded men, he said: "See how much blood a triumph costs. The blood of our enemies is still the blood of men. The true glory is to save it." Very moving words indeed.

The dynastic wars of 18th Century Europe tend to blur together for the general reader, but author Michael McNally has shone a bright light on the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. French Marshal Saxe laid a clever trap for his English opponent, the Duke of Cumberland, and his allied army, at the village of Fontenoy in western Flanders. Even better, the Allied army walked right into the trap. Yet in spite of everything, a column of tough British infantry penetrated into the very heart of the French position in search of victory...The introduction sketches the strategic situation and introduces the reader to the respective commanders and their armies and plans. The heart of the narrative is the campaign itself, culminating on the battlefield at Fontenoy. A highlight is the account of a key moment in which opposing British and French infantry officers each invited the other to fire first. The text supported by lots of period and modern illustrations, photographs, maps and battle diagrams. The inclusion of photographs showing re-enactors wearing period uniforms is a nice touch. Highly recommended as a concise but well written account of an important battle.

This book adds another title to Osprey's excellent campaign series.

Beautiful graphics and fine detail, as I've come to expect from Osprey. I did have some issue with the details of the orders of battle, which cited no references and varied considerably from other works on this battle. I would have also liked to have seen greater attention given to the organization and tactics of the contending armies, particularly the Dutch forces. The map graphics of this one also do not live up to others in this series.

Good read, like most Osprey books

Very authoritative, was interested in the Irish Brigade's participation in this battle.

Die Schlacht von Fontenoy am 11.5.1745 war eine Schlacht im österreichischen Erbfolgekrieg, in der Franzosen gegen eine englisch-hannoversch-holländische Streitmacht kämpften. Das Osprey-Heft gibt in der gewohnten Aufmachung die politischen HIntergründe, die gegnerischen Befehlshaber und die Armeen wieder.Den Vorlauf der Schlacht wird ab dem 13.04.1745 geschildert, die Schlacht selbst mit vielen guten Karten fast stündlich. Es werden die Vorberietungen und die Pläne erklärt. Allerdings wird schon etwas historisches Grundwissen verlangt, denn gerade die militärische Seite wird teils etwas kurz erklärt. Die Schlacht selbst ist recht ausführlich beschrieben, besonders die französische "Falle", in die der sehr selbstsichere Cumberland prompt reinmarschierte, wird hier anhand von Karten und guten Fotos klar.Schönes Heft über eine eher vergessene Schlacht, die aber die Briten schon zum Rückzug brachte.Leider ist mein Schwerpunkt, die hannoversche Armee im 17. Jahrhundert, eher am Rande beschrieben, aber den Schwerpunkt der Kämpfe bestritten halt die Engländer. Ich würde mir jetzt noch ein Heft in dem Stil über Minden 1759 wünschen...

Good read. Lots of helpful information.

great book om the battle

Excellent!