The Westphalian army in the Napoleonic wars 1807-1813

Viac o knihe

After Napoleon's victories over Austria and Prussia, he restructured Germany's map, establishing the Kingdom of Westphalia in 1807 as a model state within the Confederation of the Rhine. This Kingdom, governed by Napoleon's brother Jérôme Bonaparte, was formed from the conquered lands of the Electoral Principality of Hesse, the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and Prussian territories east of the Elbe River, with additional territories from the former Electoral Principality of Hanover added in 1810. Given Napoleon's view of the Confederation as a military alliance, the Westphalian Army was crucial, organized entirely on the French model. The authors detail the army's structure and operations in Spain, Germany, and Russia, while emphasizing the vibrant uniforms of individual units and their military engagements. The book also explores often-overlooked branches such as administration, medical services, and the national guard. Drawing from extensive sources, it provides a thorough overview of the Westphalian army, featuring Peter Bunde's illustrations, contemporary images, maps, and museum artifacts. Additionally, it includes an order of battle, biographies of generals, and a wealth of information from various sources, making it the definitive work on the subject.