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The rules of siege warfare barely changed from Roman times to the nineteenth century. The cities sacked in the Netherlands probably suffered no more than Carthago Nova in the third century BC, or Badajoz in the early nineteenth century AD. And no, I'm not proud of what the British army did at the latter city.
 
a Spanish writer called Arturo Perez Reverte that describe how life was

Yes,I am shamed about the minimal books ,on Spanish History, written today. When I searched about the Napoleonic Wars, the 60% of books was written before the '60!!! And nothing about the 30 years war, the seven years war, etc... Only Perez Reverte bet strongly, and he won; it is an area not covered by no one. He reminds us in every press article he writes, how English people can read about Dr. Maturin, Sharpe, Horatio Hornblower, etc...

I read in a Belgian library the only and one Spanish History about Flanders. There was a cronology about military, cultural, artistical and engineering events from 1514 to 1714 (the Habsburg period): I was amazed about names I did not know: Fuentes (la Fontaine: a former shepherd), Moncada:(resisted with 8000 soldiers to 250000 french, the french tide), Parma:(the first VIP in Spa and built an incredible giant canal), Jan Jacobsen :(a corsair who captured more than 200 ships), Jacques LaGoverneur:(the first multinational firm between Spain, Belgium and Austria), Spinola:(or how to manage no-paid small troops against wealthy great army), Julian Romero:(an operating cavalry), and no-named captains who kept reducts with 275 soldiers against 5000 infantary, and Rubens:(a spy in the Royal Courts), and Alba:(dukdalf was the wood where ships were attached in Antwerpen), and more things about how to keep the Lowlands during 200 years in war (the typical answer-->Spanish troops only were owners of the terrain they were, it was not true)
 
Heroes of 1808 to 1814

Does anyone in Spain remember Del Parque or La Romana???

Del Parque led one victory over the French that had nothing to do with English help, although he lost a follow-up battle to Kellerman's cavalry.

La Romana had the best of the Sapanish troops in Denmark when Napoleon attacked. The escape of most of his corps with the help of a British agent communicating for the sea transport is one of the most exciting adventures of the whole Napoleonic Wars! You can't write a better fiction adventure than the fact of La Romana's escape from the French and Danes to return to fight in Spain!

Speaking of fiction, surely the very trauma of Spain in 1808 to 1814, with so many defeats should allow for a healthy fiction about guerilla and secret agent activity. Surely the Spanish aren't leaving that too Bernard Cornwell alone?!?:rolleyes:
 
Duque de Alba,

Actually there are many books about the Habsburgs period in Spain... the problem is that i cant find them on the internet... this summer im going to be back in Madrid for a few weeks and i will load my tanks of literary ammunition...

Warpup,

There some fiction stories I have read about the Napoleonic period on account of the Spanish troops. The most hilarious one again from Arturo Perez Reverte is "La sombra del aguila" (the shadow of the eagle). It tells the story of a Spanish batallion forced to fight in the Russian front by the French at the time Spain was ocuppied by Napoleon troops and we were "allies".

In one of the battles, can't remember which one, the French generals are losing the battle big time and observing from afar realize that the only point of the front line that is not falling is exactly where the Spaniards are. In fact, these Spaniards seem to be advancing towards the Russian main batallion at an almost fanatic speed charging like hell...

- ow bgave ag zees Spaniagds!, zey zeem to be chagging wizout feag!!

In fact the Spaniards were defecting and trying to reach the Russian lines as fast as they could to avoid the French Dragoons before they realized the situation...

The French general buys into the "heroic" deed of the Spaniards and he sends in his best troops to "help" them and support them...

The Spaniards that are about to get there, see how the French cavalry reach them and overcome them to charge into the Russians ... the pissed off Spaniards start to swear on the French... the French dont seem to understand:

- I cant undegstand, zis is ze way zis gentlemen appgeciate oug suppogt??

Not sure if Perez Reverte has an English version... really hilarious.

Alba
 
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Originally posted by Blas de lezo

Yes,.... Drake was a serious enemy at sea, very inteligent indeed, but I personnally respect much more Lord Howard or Nelson than Drake.
There's no honor at capturing merchants.

And capture Santo Domingo in 1525... and refusing to go unless 25,000 ducats were paid, which didn't do any good. I know that in the UK he is regarded as a hero, but I just can't picture it. Guess it is because I'm on the other side of the fence. But I mean no disrespect, just commenting...


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