Austerlitz 1805: Battle of the Three Emperors by David G. Chandler

Austerlitz 1805: Battle of the Three Emperors Reviews

• 
  Johnny

  The Campaign Series from Osprey Press is not intended to be academically rigorous. One will not find explicit documentation, though the information provided demonstrates evidence of research. Indeed, author David G. Chandler has been considered one of the foremost experts in the history of Napoleonic warfare for decades. Austerlitz 1805: Battle of the Three Emperors is the first that I’ve read in the series and I have tremendously enjoyed it. The books in this series offer multiple entry points: sketches, paintings, orders of battle, 2-D maps, topographical maps, unit breakdowns, informative captions, guidance for wargaming the battle, chronological chart, and description of the battlefield as it exists today (or, more accurately, when the book was published in 1990.
  
  Personally, I’ve always had trouble keeping track of divisions, regiments, and armies or voltigeurs, tirailleurs, chasseurs a pied, and carabiniers, but this book not only provided helpful definitions and descriptions, but clear images of uniforms (many in color), as well. While, at times, it seems that the maps are slightly behind the textual narrative of the battle, they are abundantly clear once one calibrates text and images (occasionally back-flipping for reference). The narrative is extremely clear and useful.
  
  The most surprising thing I learned (that I probably should have known, but didn’t know) was the role of Louis Friant during the early hours of the battle. Not only did this subordinate to the legendary Davout take the initiative once, but three different times with three different divisions: leading Heudelet’s division in a bayonet countercharge in the fog near Telnitz (p. 53), maneuvering Lochet’s Brigade in an attack on Langeron’s flank and rear (p. 53), and forcing back Przbyswski’s column at the head of Kister’s Brigade (p. 56). Previously, I was totally preoccupied with the events at the center of the Allied Forces (Pratzen Heights), so I missed the remarkable events near Telnitz.
  
  I also had previously missed an intriguing event which took place on the French left-wing. The Grand Duke Constantine’s Uhlans (light cavalry) attacked Lannes’ forces at Santon Hill “unsupported.” Unfortunately for the lancers, all 400 cavalrymen were fatally riddled with musket balls by the command of one Marie Francois Auguste Caffarelli du Falga (another commander subsumed in my personal knowledge by a higher commander, Lannes, -- p. 64) when they rode by his position. It’s hard to imagine such chaotic command control such that this would happen.
  Since history is sometimes stranger than fiction, it was interesting to read about a gambit by Austrians using the fog of battle smoke to try to convince Thiebault that they were “Bavarians” joining their French allies. It was also interesting to consider the double-shot 12-pounders that greeted the bold, but fatal attempt at subterfuge. Even so, the gaps in the ranks and bloody carnage weren’t originally sufficient to carry the day. The battle whip-sawed back and forth for about 30 minutes (pp. 67-68).
  
  My favorite line allegedly came from Mustapha, a Mameluke veteran of the Egyptian Campaign. Mustapha brought a captured standard and laid it at Napoleon’s feet. Then, he said, “If me catch Constantine, me cut off his head and me bring to Emperor!” (p. 74) The most curious fact of which I was unaware was that, after the battle, the men of the 26th Legion created a bed for Colonel Pouget by piling Russian corpses together and spreading a layer of hay on top (p. 84).
  Austerlitz 1805: Battle of the Three Emperors is a volume well-worth the time of any individual interested in military history.
  
  Although its minimalist documentation makes it less than desirable as a “textbook,” it is an invaluable resource for the casual reader of history. The wargaming suggestions have a bit too much emphasis on “fictionalizing” the situation in order to present the same basic choices to the gamers as they faced in real life (complete with “friction,” aka “fog of war”), but I like moving soldiers or pieces across the battlefield in sort of a reenactment with die rolls. Still, the ideas for wargaming are not unworthy and I may well try them sometime.
  
• 
  Mastersonmcvoidson

  A book in the Osprey ''Campaign'' series following the 96 page format, covering the Battle of Austerlitz.
  
  The ''Road to War'' chapter and the coverage of the events before Austerlitz itself are pretty breezy and light on detail, even for an Osprey book. It gives only passing mentions to most of the events that occurred with several maps and illustrations to accompany the narrative. While the maps are useful and easy to understand the narrative itself is pretty light.
  
  The chapters on commanders and armies that are presented before the part on the Battle of Austerlitz itself are concise and easy to understand, though not too remarkable or unusual when compared to other Osprey books following this format.
  
  The part on the battle itself is readable and concise, though it leaves several details and minor movements out, which is to be expected from such a small book.
  
  The aftermath of the battle is covered in a reasonable but unremarkable manner, giving a brief overview of the casualties on both sides but not going into any detailed analysis.
  
  Finally, the Battlefield Today chapter is still mostly accurate. Though it is slightly outdated.
  
  Not much else to say, a decent but lightweight introduction to the Battle of Austerlitz and by extent the War of the Third Coalition. Not the best Osprey book but not bad either.
  
  Final Rating: 6/10