Wellington and the Lines of Torres Vedras
The Defence of Lisbon during the Peninsular War, 1807-1814
Series : From Reason to Revolution 1721-1815 #75
Author : Mark S. Thompson
Print Editions
Paperback
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Details
General - Pages : 224 | Images : 28 colour and 50 b/w illustrations, maps and diagrams
Paperback - Date of Publication : 15th August 2021 | Size : 248mm x 180mm | ISBN : 9781914059858 | Helion Book Code : HEL1366
In October 1810, the Third French invasion of Portugal under Maréchal Masséna arrived at the Lines of Torres Vedras and his triumphal march into Lisbon came to an abrupt halt. Five months later a thoroughly demoralised and defeated French army retreated from Portugal and never returned.
The Lines played a vital role in enabling the allied army to operate against a more numerous enemy. When threatened, there was a safe place for the allies to retire to, and from this secure base, Wellington eventually liberated the Iberian Peninsula.
France, Portugal and Britain developed plans for the defence of Lisbon in 1808 and 1809. In November 1809, the British proposal was commenced and became the Lines of Torres Vedras. The Memorandum on the construction was written in October 1809 but was more of an outline. The design and construction was completed over the next 18 months, the bulk being completed before the arrival of the French in October 1810. The initial design was expanded through 1810 as more time became available and the construction in October 1810 was significantly different to the original memorandum.
The book takes the reader through events in 1809 that led to the need for the construction of defences. The construction work is detailed and illustrated through several maps to explain the position and purpose of the several defences. The French invasion of 1810 is summarised through to the time when the French arrived at the Lines. The operations and movements over the next month are again detailed along with the continuing construction work on the Lines.
One of the unusual elements of the defences was the construction of a telegraph system and this is described in great detail.
One of the lesser-known facts about the Lines, is the position of the opposing forces between October 1810 and March 1811. They were only facing each other at the Lines for a few weeks during this period and most French troops never approached them. The operations and defences were spread over a much larger area.
This book uses many new sources to prove a new, in-depth, English language account of the massive engineering exercise that built the Lines with the help of thousands of Portuguese civilians. Without the construction of the Lines, it is likely that Portugal would have been lost and history would tell a very different story.
"Sitting down to review a book on the Lines of Torres Vedras by Mark S Thompson (the out and out expert on the subject) leads to very high expectations and I am pleased to say that this book does not disappoint.....all told this is an excellent bit of historical detective work and if you want a book to fully explain every little detail of the Lines of Torres Vedras, you should look no further. Highly recommended." Gareth Glover, The Napoleon Series
"In this meticulously researched book, Mark Thompson delivers a comprehensive study filled with a wealth of information on the planning, construction, and defence of the Lines of Torres Vedras. While this book may not appeal to the lay reader, it certainly will for those with an interest in military engineering or the Peninsular War, and is a must have for students of the war and those intending to visit the Lines." Chris Roberts, Land Power Forum, Australian Army Research Centre
"For anyone interested in the campaigns in Portugal and the Lines this is essential reading. Helion have provided a service to readers with their high production values at an affordable price." Mars & Clio, Jan 23
"...Wellington and the Lines of Torres Vedras is an important contribution to the history of the Peninsular War and the warfare of the Napoleonic Era. The in-depth research, excellent maps, and the inclusion of Wellington’s initial memorandum outlining his plan for the defense of Lisbon make this book required reading for anyone attempting to understand the Anglo-Portuguese victory and the French defeat in 1811." Napoleonica The Journal, Vol 3 Issue 3 2022