Blenheim 1704

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A great Osprey Campaign - one of the best - Rated
Books like this one are the reason why I owe ALL the Osprey Campaign titles. "Blenheim 1704" has a great deal of strong points, but one is the most crucial - the description of events is very clear. The reasons of the crushing defeat of the French are clearly and comprehensively explained. The way the story is told makes it a really interesting read - I hardly noticed time passing when I was reading and turning the last page I was surprised that I got through it so fast. And I wanted more - so I really hope that the author is cooking right now "Ramillies 1706".
The maps are great - very clear, with all necessary detail, but avoiding the overdose of details. Illustrations are (almost) always good in Osprey titles and here they are above the average level of these series. Colour plates are delicious and there is three of them. The only thing a little bit odd is that no actual fighting is described in the colour plates, but this is really a very minor bad point in a overwise really great title. I think also that the author was slightly unfair to the French in his description of the motives behind the beginning of the war as well as about the appreciation of the final result of the whole War of Spanish Succession. But that is the question of the point of view. All in all, good job Osprey and good luck John Tincey for more books on Marlborough battles.

A clear overview of the key battle - Rated
This August saw the 300th anniversary of this key battle, regarded by some as being as significant in Britain's history as Agincourt or Waterloo. This book, in Osprey's Campaign series, gives a detailed account of the battle as well as placing it in the context of the campaign in which it was fought.

The campaign was part of the ongoing War of the Spanish Succession. France and its ally Bavaria fought a Grand Alliance: Great Britain, Austria, Netherlands, plus Denmark, Prussia, Hannover and other German states. The Franco-Bavarian side were enjoying some success at this stage of the war, and they sought to knock Austria out of the war in the 1704 campaign season.

John Tincey describes in the book how John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, attempted to thwart the French and Bavarians. The French were expecting Marlborough to attack France from the Low Countries, but instead he manoeuvred his army ever south and east, joining Prince Eugene of Savoy's forces. Marlborough needed to bring the French and Bavarians to battle: if no battle were fought, he'd only end up retiring the way he came, with an exposed Austria being forced to withdraw from the war.

Battle took place at Blenheim on 13th August 1704. Marlborough found himself outnumbered in infantry and artillery, but had a considerable advantage in cavalry, and he planned to utilise that, seeing the clash of horse as being key to the outcome of this battle. Tincey traces the course of the battle, which resulted in a decisive victory for the allies, who took 14,000 prisoners, including the French commander, Tallard.

Tincey concludes by stating the significance of the battle's outcome: Marlborough and Eugene had saved the alliance and averted Austrian defeat, and had put France on to the defensive. Another success for the alliance that year saw Britain gaining Gibraltar (July 23rd). However the war was not over yet: it was to go on until 1713.

The book provides a detailed account of the battle, with clear maps showing the battle at various key stages. There are other maps showing the campaign as it unfolded, placing the battle in its context. Tincey also gives some brief details on the main commanders, including Marlborough, Eugene, Tallard, and the Elector of Bavaria. A feature of Osprey Publishing books is the wealth of illustrative material: striking artwork by Graham Tumer, as well as black and white photographs of relevant paintings and portraits etc. throughout. There is also a fascinating section on the battlefield today, another Osprey series feature.

This book is recommended reading for a clear overview of the decisive battle, its campaign context, and its repercussions.