A GARLAND OF CAVALRY EXPLOITS.
This is a book from my library acquired some years ago in a second hand book store.
The book relates the story of cavalry from Marengo to Fondouk in 1943 detailing the significant impact that cavalry had on each of the ten engagements discussed. There is also an opening chapter covering the general history of the cavalry arm through the ages.
The intention of the author is to provide an understanding of the "cavalry spirit" and describe how that "cavalry spirit" sometimes led to bold victory and sometimes to rash defeat.
The ten engagements are discussed at length culminating in a detailed account of the decisive cavalry action for which the battles are particularly known.
The writing style is excellent and the book is addictive reading and highly recommended to anyone interested in the "cavalry spirit" and what that actually meant on the battlefield.
Not heard of this before Tony, so thanks for the 'heads up' and review. IIRC the cavalry arm, certainly in Western Europe, declined from the mid-19thC due to the quality and ranges of the rifles the infantry used, plus the better training they had. By the 1870's cavalry vs cavalry actions seem to have been limited to mere skirmishes by and large, with the odd exception of course.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve....Yes that was my view too but this book suggests otherwise. The engagements covered are Toungoo 1943, Marengo 1800, Garcia Hernandez 1812, Aliwal 1846, Brandy Station 1863,Mars-Le-Tours 1870, Little Big Horn 1876,Beersheba 1917,Moreuil Wood 1918 and Fondouk 1943. Each of these battles included a decisive cavalry action that was either battle winning or disastrous thereby illustrating how the cavalry spirit could be either good or bad in its effect. A really good book. Regards.
DeleteTony - That reminds me of a fine book I read about the Blue and Grey cavalry of the American Civil War. It described quite a few of the battles engaged by the cavalry - especially in the eastern theatres. Probably the most detailed account would have been the actions around Trevilian Station in 1864 - something of a (qualified) Confederate success as I recall.
ReplyDeleteI've tried looking up this volume, but can't find any image of it. I feel sure that 'Blue' and 'Grey' were in the title, though. It's pretty old - I read it about 40-odd years ago - which probably explains why it's so hard to track down!. Bally good book, though, I thought.
Cheers,
Ion
Hi Ion....One of the battles covered in this book is Brandy Station in 1863. The cavalry actions of the Civil war were certainly extensive and sometimes decisive. I think I need to read more so will have a look for the book you mentioned as well as others on this subject. Regards.
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