Napoleonic Light Cavalry Tactics – Term Paper

Napoleonic Light Cavalry Tactics is a literature work that explains how light cavalry equipment was of essence during the Napoleon war. During this period, there was use of different types of equipment and fire arms. Equipment and fire arms used were divided into two, the heavy and the light cavalry tactics. The light cavalry comprised of Cossacks, Hussars, Chasseurs, Dragoons and Lancers.

This work was authored by Philip Haythornthwaite who is recognized internationally as an author and an expert in military history from the 18^th to the 19^th century. His area of interest was in the napoleon war which till date has been among the greatest wars in history. Having written over forty books, papers and articles about military history. He has a vast understanding of military history, this explains the detailed information provided in the book. The author used thirty two sources in the book; they have been used accordingly and can be used to account for the information provided in the book.

Napoleonic Light Cavalry Tactics is divided into seven chapters, beginning with the introduction this topic discuss how the light cavalry was developed, the subsequent chapters discuss the deployment and organisation, formation and tactics used in operating the light cavalry, the lancer its merits and demerits, the mamlukes and Cossacks, tasks performed by the light cavalry and finally tactics in practise. The book is organized systematically; this enables the reader to understand every chapter well gradually.

Discussion

 The book has made use of a number of sources, from the introduction all the way to the last chapter. Sources used can evidently account for information in the book. The introduction used sources like the elite volume 188 Napoleonic heavy and cavalry tactics, this sources describes the importance of the light cavalry in the Napoleonic war, it describes how the light cavalry came to be and the merits that came with it being in use during the war. In-depth information on the hussar, chasseurs and the light dragon can be attributed to the books authored by Bukhari E. in his books he discusses in detail how the Napoleonic light chasseurs, the hussars and the napoleons dragoon and lancers. All in separate books to be able to fully explain their use and the advantages and disadvantages that came with use of each of them. The second chapter referred to elite 188 for information regarding the organisation and deployment of the light cavalry, the author further encourages the reader to read the book of references in order to get more information regarding the subject matter. Generally the sources used in the book are relevant in each context that they are used. The book comes with a lot of information that is important in the study of military history, the sources used in the book also serve as strength as they can also be used for references in future, and it is also rich in literature material and can be used as a reference book for student studying literature. This is a few of the strengths that the book holds.

The book brings to me a better understanding of the light cavalry tactics used in the napoleon times. It carries with it some element of truth that gives better and clear insights on the importance of the napoleon light cavalry.

  Napoleonic Light Cavalry Tactics has provided useful information on the use of light cavalry tactics used in the napoleon war. From the mode of transportation used to the fire arms used, and the mode of dressing by the men who were in the war. This is a book that can be of great importance to scholar who seeks to know more about military history from the 18^th to the 19^th century. I highly recommend this book for other people to read and benefit from it.