The British Invasion of the River Plate, 1806–1807: How the

The British Invasion of the River Plate, 1806–1807: How the Redcoats were Humbled and a Nation was Born

In 1806 a British expeditionary force captured Buenos Aires. Over the next eighteen months, Britain was sucked into a costly campaign on the far side of the world. The Spaniards were humbled on the battlefield and Montevideo was taken by storm, but the campaign ended in disaster when 6000 redcoats and riflemen surrendered following a bloody battle in the streets of the Argentine capital. So ended one of the most humiliating â€“ and neglected â€“ episodes of the entire Napoleonic Wars.â€¨â€¨In The British Invasion of the River Plate Ben Hughes tells the story of this forgotten campaign in graphic detail. His account is based on research carried out across two continents. It draws on contemporary newspaper reports, official documents and the memoirs, letters and journals of the men who were there.â€¨â€¨He describes the initially successful British invasion, which was stopped when their troops were surrounded in Buenos Airesâ€™ main square and forced to surrender, and the second British attack which was eventually defeated too. His narrative covers the course of the entire campaign and its aftermath. While focusing on the military and political aspects of the campaign, his book gives an insight into the actions of the main protagonists â€“ William Carr Beresford, Sir Home Popham, Santiago de Liniers and â€˜Black Bobâ€™ Craufurd â€“ and into the experiences of the forgotten rank and file.â€¨â€¨He also considers the long-term impact of the campaign on the fortunes of the opposing sides. Many of the British survivors went on to win glory in the Peninsular War. For the Uruguayans and Argentines, their victory gave them a sense of national pride that would eventually encourage them to wrest their independence from Spain.
Country USA
Manufacturer Praetorian Press
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2020-01-31
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Praetorian Press
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2020-01-31
Format	Kindle eBook

The British Invasion of the River Plate, 1806–1807: How the Redcoats were Humbled and a Nation was Born

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