Osprey Men-at-Arms 193 : The British Army on Campaign (1) 1816-1853

Although the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Crimean War has been called 'the long peace', as far as the British Army (and the Honourable East India Company's three Presidencies' armies of Bengal, Madras and Bombay) were concerned, it was to see an almost continual series of campaigns and expeditions across the world. Most were fought in the defence, or further expansion, of the British Empire. Their scope included largely police actions, like the Canadian Rebellion; counter-insurgency against rebellious tribal peoples, as in South Africa and New Zealand; amphibious operations in conjunction with the Royal Navy to protect trade interests, as in China; and major campaigns involving all arms to secure the frontiers of the Indian possessions against hitherto unsubdued native rulers and, in the case of Afghanistan, against the threat of Russian expansion in Central Asia. This is the first of four books by Michael Barthorp detailing the British Army on campaign from 1815-1902, centres on the campaigns in the eventful period from 1816-53; the regiments which took part; the tactics employed; and the changing nature of uniforms and equipment. The text is accompanied by numerous illustrations including eight full page colour plates by Pierre Turner.

Contents

• Introduction
• Campaigns 1816-1853
• Fighting Methods
• 1816-1828
• 1829-1843
• 1844-1853
• The Plates