Like a Brazen Wall: The Battle of Minden, 1759 and its Place in the Seven Years War

Providing both the strategic context and tactical detail of the Battle of Minden, Like a Brazen Wallgives a fresh and more balanced perspective. The Battle of Minden is justifiably celebrated by the British infantry and artillery regiments involved, but it was a close-run affair. Like a Brazen Wall echoes that celebration, but also sets a fresh balance: appropriately applauding, where due, the dash and elan of the French and Saxon opponents who are worthy of respect; examining the enduring challenges of multinationality by considering the relationships between Britain and her German allies; critically reviewing the role of the leader by reconsidering the strengths and weaknesses of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick; reviewing the role of the British horse and its controversial commander, Sackville. The battle and the operations leading up to it provide lessons in leadership, command and control, communications, understanding of terrain, manoeuvre, deception, concentration of force, mutual support, liaison with allies, and discipline.This book explains the strategic necessity of British involvement in an Anglo-German allied army in Europe as well as describing the tactical detail of Minden and the parallel battle of Gohfeld. Using translations of French primary and secondary source material, the intentions of the French commander are reviewed. A commentary of the battle is provided, including a review of the effectiveness of British musketry. The reader is assisted in understanding the complex relative chronology of the campaign and the battle by timelines which explain what was happening, and when, in different theatres of operation. In order make a comprehensive record, orders of battle, uniform details and an illustrated battlefield tour are included. AUTHOR: Major General Ewan Carmichael CBE retired as Director General Army Medical Services of the United Kingdom. His knowledge of the battlefield of Minden was developed during a three-year posting there as an armoured medical squadron commander with the British Army of the Rhine. A graduate of the University of Glasgow and King's College, London, he attended the British Army Staff College, Camberley. He led his squadron during the first Gulf War as part of the liberation of Kuwait, for which he was awarded the MBE. During the civil war in the Balkans, he was appointed as an Officer Brother in the Most Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem. He was selected to form and lead the United Kingdom's air assault medical regiment, 16 Close Support Medical Regiment. As Commander 2nd Medical Brigade, he directed and oversaw the training of the United Kingdom's Field Hospitals for concurrent deployment in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He was appointed as Queen's Honorary Dental Surgeon in 2012. As President of Combined Services Martial Arts, he won the first Worldwide Open Sword & Buckler championship in Hannover. Now retired, he is a 'badged' guide with the International Guild of Battlefield Guides. 30 b/w images, 12pp colour plates, 6 maps