A Commanding Presence: Wellington in the Peninsula 1808-1814

The many battles fought by Wellington have always excited interest and controversy. Almost all of the fighting on land between British and French troops during the Napoleonic period took place in Portugal and Spain, and so the extended struggle became known as the “Peninsular War.” Few are aware that Wellington’s armies were actually engaged with the enemy less than 10 per cent of the time. Much of the campaign was spent finding food and drink for man and beast, and withstanding the severe physical conditions encountered in the Peninsula. The unforgiving climate and mountainous terrain materially affected Wellington’s strategy, and it was his commanding presence that enabled the many logistical problems to be over come.  In this new study, Ian Robertson draws on many vivid first-hand accounts of campaigning life and places the several stubbornly fought actions in their proper context.