Men-at-Arms 355
Wellington’s Belgian Allies 1815

by Ronald Pawly
illustrated by Patrice Courcelle
 

Reviewed by John Prigent

Ronald Pawly’s debut for Osprey is an excellent volume on the Dutch/Belgian armies of the Waterloo campaign.

Most of us get a little confused between Belgium and Holland at this period, which isn’t surprising given their tangled history under Napoleon, but Mr Pawly sorts it all out for us and explains what was going on. Their infantry and cavalry organisation, uniforms, and weapons are described succinctly but in fair detail, then he moves on to the Quatre-Bras and Waterloo battles and their part in it. Here he puts the lie to the frequent allegation that they broke and ran at Waterloo, an overdue setting straight of the record since their short withdrawal to new positions was in accordance with orders and tactically wise.

Patrice Courcelle’s plates are as good as always, and if I say that his style reminds me strongly of the master-painter Rigo those who know his work will know just how good they are.

This is a splendid addition to any library covering the Napoleonic Wars.

Recommended.
 

Review Copyright © 2001 by John Prigent
Page Created 23 August, 2001
Last updated 22 July, 2003

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