Nosworthy's Tactical Study Series

Primary Source Materials Vol. I No. 1 & 2

by Rob Hamper

"Nosworthy's Tactical Study Series, Primary Source Materials Vol.1 No.1 Excerpts from the British Military Library On Practical Tactics" is the full title of the booklet we received for review. It is the first of a series of books collating excerpts from the British Military Library as transcribed by Brent Nosworthy.

The British Military Library was originally published between 1798 and 1801, as a "collection of the most valuable papers on military subjects…" as quoted from the Library by Nosworthy in his introduction. It was meant to provide British officers with professional military literature that was otherwise unavailable to them.

Nosworthy has written books on tactics before, but this project is quite different from his other known works. This small booklet (5 ½" x 8 ¼" x 60 pgs.) has volumes to say. It's designed to give readers access to primary source material that is not widely available. This book includes such subjects such as: "On the Attack of Cavalry" and "On the Attack and Defense of Unfortified Heights".

It's one thing to read about military theory from Nafziger, Muir or Nosworthy himself. It's quite another to hear it from the men who lived at that time and were more familiar with it's intricacies. Here is an example from page 8 that talks about how, had they charged en echelon, the French cavalry at Minden would likely have defeated the British and Hanoverian infantry:

"[the infantry's] flanks were not covered, and their intervals were open; since the artillery, owing to the rapidity of the advance, found itself between the first and second line. The French cavalry actually penetrated through this opening, but were not supported…"

Here is one more quote that gives a great idea of the flavor of the book. It is from "On the Attack of Heights by Light Infantry" and it is describing the ascension of the infantry up the hill:

"All firing with small arms must be prohibited on pain of death; the bayonet must decide. Fire, in this case, is the refuge of the timorous…"

Great stuff and this book is loaded with such examples. Nearly every paragraph is directly related to the action on the ground. Modern readers might find the period prose to be a bit laborious, but it certainly adds to the immersion for the reader.

I should note that the text is not necessarily official doctrine, but is often the personal theories of the military authors. The writers were anonymous to encourage the proliferation of information. Hence, there is no way to verify the veracity of their opinions though comparison with battle accounts lends more credence to the value of the text.

Ad Signa! publishes the book in Canada. It is presented with an attractive cover, tight and durable binding, and a fine layout with clear text. The few diagrams that accompany the text are attractive and clear.

If there is a drawback to the book, it is the cost: C$ 21.50, US$ 17.00 or £10.00 depending on whether you buy it in Canada, the US or in Europe. This makes it more expensive than say the Osprey booklets so potential owners have to decide how valuable this rare, primary source material is for their studies.

While Nosworthy, in his introduction, suggests that the excerpts are "an invaluable tool in the understanding of British methods of combat during the Peninsular War", I believe that all gamers of the mid-18th to early 19th century will find this series to be priceless in terms of understanding military thought during this period. The booklets offer some 18th century answers to 21st century questions. I can't recommend this booklet enough and I look forward to seeing more of the series.

It would only be fair to mention that I have a casual friendship with the publisher, but I stand by everything I have stated here.

The book may be purchased directly from the publisher at www.adsigna.ca (e-mail to sales@Adsigna.ca) - 32 Dunluce Crescent, Mount Pearl, New Foundland A1N5H8, CANADA. European customers should contact Peter Berry at www.baccus6mm.com (baccus6@aol.com) and in the U.S. - Brent Nosworthy, 181 Reservoir Ave., Providence, RI 02907 (BrentNose@AOL.COM).

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