"British Light Infantry in the American Revolution (Elite)" Topic

"During the Seven Years' War (1755–63), a number of independent light-infantry outfits served under British command and dedicated light companies were added to the British Army's regular infantry battalions. The light companies were disbanded after the war but the prominent role played by light infantry was not forgotten, and in 1771–72 light-infantry companies were reinstated in every regiment in the British Isles.

Although William Howe formed a training camp at Salisbury in 1774 specifically to practice light-infantry doctrine, the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775 found the British Army wanting, and the light companies were no different. After evacuating Boston in March 1776, Howe began to remodel and drill his army at Halifax, standardizing lighter uniform and emphasizing more open-order tactics. He also brigaded his light companies together into composite battalions, which went on to fight in almost every major engagement during the American Revolution. They spearheaded British assaults, using night-time surprise and relying upon the bayonet in engagements such as Paoli and Old Tappan. They also matched their regular and irregular opponents in bush-fighting, and at times fought in far-flung detachments alongside Native American and Loyalist allies on the frontier. Featuring specially commissioned full-color artwork, this book offers a comprehensive guide to the formation, uniform, equipment, doctrines, and tactics of these elite light infantry companies and battalions, and considers how, over the course of the war they developed a fearsome reputation, and exemplified the psychological characteristics exhibited by crack military units across history."

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Amicalement
Armand

Probably good…?..

Amicalement
Armand

The cover is taken from 'Philadelphia 1777' by one Brendan Morrisey. Do Osprey recycle artwork or is it perhaps a stop gap for publicity use only?

I would say the latter as I have never noticed a cover being repeated from previous works.

Of course, if they wanted to reuse it they can-they published it.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

The British Light Infantry in 1775

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Armand

I just got this book and can confirm what is pasted above is not on my cover. My cover looks like this:

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The artwork inside is also different. It does not recycle anything from the Philadelphia 1777 book that I found.

And Brendan did not do the Philly book. The book on Lights is good but nothing earth shattering. Worth having though.

The artist did capture the feel of the period with the light bobs about to kill surrendering continentals. I would've loved to have seen the historian's notes to the artist.

…good, but nothing earth shattering…

Well, that informs me if I can afford it with my Mad Money.

Brendan did not do the Philly book

My mistake. Don't know what I was thinking. The author was Justin Clement.

A curious choice by Osprey, to use a rendering of della Gatta's depiction of the attack at Paoli Tavern as representative of the subject.

I often think Brendan did that book as well. :-(

In regards to the book, I guess it depends on how much you already know about Lights. It does a good job of rolling things up about them. I have it, glad I do, but nothing I really didn't already know, or thought I knew. LoL

Au pas de Charge, the illustration of the lights killing the soldiers is essentially taken direct from della Gatta. It's the attack on Paoli, with the lights killing the piquettes. It's not the only illustration highlighting a scene from that painting, with one of a Lt Hunter nursing a bad hand wound.

Don Hagist's book on Light Infantry & Grenadiers will be out in December. Likely won't be helpful for war-game uniform photos, but I learn something new from him every time he puts something out.

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