Recommended books - Austrian Army
I'm currently collecting French, but my next project will be Austrians for 1809. There seems to be a lack of literature regarding the Austrian army. All the Osprey titles seem to be out of print. Can anyone recommend a book currently in print? Ants

I'm currently reading the first volume of Gill's Thunder on the Danube; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thunder-Danube-Napoleons-Defeat-Habsburgs/dp/184415713X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b Very good read. Detailed OOBs, lots of nice little maps of both small and large actions all with a clear and well written narrative. Alternatively 'Napoleon's Great Adversary' by Rothenberg; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Napoleons-Great-Adversary-Archduke-1792-1814/dp/1873376405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236249595&sr=1-1 Gives lots of detail on the institutions of the Austrian army and Archduke Charles's attempts to reform them.

Thanks. I am on to the 2nd volume of Gill. 'Napoleon's Great Adversary' sounds promising. I am really after a book that is about the mechanics of how the army fought rather than just the theory. Ants

Ants you can borrow my Austrian or French ospreys for that matter

Cheers Kerry. How was the weekend? A wedding and Wales winning the Rugby 7's! Must have been good. See you soon for a beer or better still, a game (and a beer). Ants

You could try contacting Dave Ryan at Caliver books in Leigh-on -Sea, Essex. He is knowledgable and helpful on what is available and has out-of-print and second hand as well as new books

Cheers Waldorf. I have now read half of Napoleon's Great Adversary. I am a little disappointed. There is plenty of narrative about the campaigns, but little real information on tactics used beyond superficial comments. There is little analysis as to how effective formations such as the mass was. Ants

Captain Chook I agree about the book "Greatest Adversaries". Campaign but no specific details. I've had a look at my bookshelves and reckon the book you want is "Armies on the Danube 1809" Scotty Bowden and Charlie tarbox, Empire Games press, one of my favourites. (Does not have an ISBN number, only a "Library of the Congree Catalog Card Number" = 80-65117 , Dave at Caliver should be able to get you one. detailed Austrian organisation, Austrian tactics, Austrian OOBs etc If you were interested in reading generally about general deployment and tactics for whole Napoleonic wars, rather than specifically 1809n Danube campaign, I suggest: "Battle tactics of Napleon and his enemies" = Brent Nosworthy, or "Imperial Bayonets - Tactics of the Napoleonic Battery, battalion and Brigade as Found in contemporary Regulations" - Georege Nafziger.

The only copy of Imperial Bayonets I have been able to track is over $US 200. I will try Caviler for Armies on the Danube. I have Nosworthy. Thanks again. Ants

Dave Hollins's Osprey on Austrian Grenadiers & Infantry is what you want. Even if it is out of print, it should not be too grossly expensive. Tarbox and Bowden are all right on the French side of things, but they didn't spend the time in the extensive Austrian archives Hollins did, and their Francocentric attitude gets in the way, too. Yours, James D. Gray

Does it mention bricoles......? :twisted:

Don't go there! Yours, James D. Gray

I'm retreating (by drag-rope) as we speak........