Corunna 1809: Sir John Moore's Fighting Retreat

Osprey Campaign #83

by Philip J. Haythornthwaite

The retreat to Corunna is one of the epic campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars. Late in 1808 Sir John Moore found himself virtually alone with his small British army deep inside Spain. The armies of his Spanish allies had been overwhelmed and he faced a victorious French force under the Emperor Napoleon. He had little option but to order a retreat to the port of Corunna. This became the most arduous of trials with armies traversing mountainous terrain over appalling roads in the depths of winter. Incredibly Moore held his outnumbered, exhausted men together as they struggled to reach safety. Finally at Corunna Moore's army turned to face its tormentors.

Genres: History, Military History

96 pages, Hardcover

First published February 25, 2001

About the author

Philip J. Haythornthwaite (born 1951) is an internationally respected and prolific author and historical consultant specializing in military history, uniforms and equipment. Whilst his main area of research is the Napoleonic Wars, his impressive list of publications covers a much wider range of periods from the English Civil War until WWI.

Reviews

[Jose Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book to know in detail the retreat of Sir John Moore to La Coruña. The book includes a detailed order of battle of each army in the battle of La Coruña and a lot of detailed information of the situation of both armies during the Peninsular War in 1809.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear, concise story, pretty detailed without being overwhelming. Excellent plans, maps and schemes.

[Sean Chick · Rating 1 out of 5]

The dullest Osprey book ever written. The importance of the battle is made clear, but I found myself wondering why a book was written on just this small engagement. It would have been better to concentrate on Baylen but Osprey is a British publishing company so what can you expect? Also, there was little context given, usually a strong point in the campaign series.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This campaign & the battle in which it culminated are so important to the subsequent course of the Peninsular War since it can be argued that Moore's decisions 'saved' Spain by drawing off French forces to the north of the country & thereby derailing Napoleon's plans. Haythornthwaite's excellent survey of the campaign is well worth a spot in any Napoleonic buff's library.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on the Battle of Corunna where General Sir John Moore got killed.