1809 Thunder on the Danube: Wagram and Znaim v. III: Napoleon's Defeat of the Habsburgs - Hardcover

Jack H. Gill

4.39

79 ratings by Goodreads

9781848325470: 1809 Thunder on the Danube: Wagram and Znaim v. III: Napoleon's Defeat of the Habsburgs

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1848325479 ISBN 13: 9781848325470

Publisher: Frontline Books, 2009

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In this third volume John H. Gill brings to a close his magisterial study of the 1809 war between Napoleonic France and Habsburg Austria. This final volume begins with the principal armies of both antagonists recuperating on the Danube s banks. As they prepared for the next encounter, important actions were taking place in distant theatres of war: Eugene brought his army into Hungary and won a crucial victory over Johann on the anniversary of Marengo, Prince Poniatowski s Poles outflanked another Austrian archduke along the Vistula, and future marshal Marmont drove an Austrian force out of Dalmatia to join Napoleon at Vienna. These subsidiary campaigns all set the stage for the clash that would decide the war: the titanic Battle of Wagram. Second only in scale to the three-day slaughter at Leipzig in 1813, Wagram saw more than 320,000 men and 900 guns locked in two days of fury that ended with Austrian retreat. The defeat, however, was not entirely complete and Napoleon had to force yet another major engagement on the Austrians before Charles would accept a ceasefire. This under-appreciated battle at Znaim introduced an extended armistice that finally ended with a peace treaty signed in Vienna in October. Gill makes use of an impressive array of sources to present a lively account that covers the conflict from the diplomacy of emperors to the common soldiers suffering the privations of campaigning and the horrors of battle as they attempt to carry out their duties. Enriched with uncommon illustrations, more than 40 specially prepared maps, and extraordinary order of battle detail, this work concludes an unprecedented English language study of Napoleon s last victorious war.

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Review:

"...sheds new light on well-known stages in the battle...he has covered more than just an epochal battle in a magnificent book that will satisfy the most avid enthusiasts of Napoleonic era military history.--Foundation Napoleon "...very impressive piece of work and is unlikely to be surpassed...one of the best examples of traditional Military History you will find, and will be a value to an academic audience and of great interest to a more general audience. A very impressive achievement and a very valuable guide to Napoleon's last victory."--History of War "The text is well-written and entertaining, the maps are generally excellent, portraits of many of the commanders are provided, and there are extensive OOBs for Wagram and Znaim. This is an example of how history should be written. Highly recommended."--The Miniatures Page

About the Author:

John H Gill (Jack) is an Associate Professor on the faculty of the Near East South Asia Center, part of Washington s National Defense University. A former US Army South Asia Foreign Area Officer, he retired as a colonel in 2005 after more than 27 years of service. His previous books include With Eagles to Glory and A Soldier for Napoleon.

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