This is a great set of videos. That said, even as a patriotic Englishman, I’m struggling a little with your comment here that after Bailen the Spanish were unable to win a single field battle without the British taking the lead - what about Alcaniz and Tamames?
I agree....certainly the French generally got the better of it in head to head battles but Spain did have several victories too. I suppose it doesn't help that Napier, one of the most common sources tends to be very one-eyed on the matter
This is a great channel. But always take it with a grain of salt as it is well know that MOST English historians have always tried to sell the presence of Wellington as Decisive in the peninsular war.
At the start of the invasion. Those Spanish Troops had a very important lack of battle-knowledge. You've quoted general Castaños: You've been defeated by a general that had never took part in a battle before (Bailen). A general who has never been in battle... incredible! Obviously, he had foreign counselors, like Swiss comanders (Reding), or Belgians (Malet) who probably had a better knowledge... With Malet, there were Spanish-American officers, like the libertador José de San Martín (An Argentinian friend of mine used to say: the only saint who is in Hell)...
This was really interesting, I didnt realise the Spanish had cuirassiers so thanks for that. I hope to be starting on a Spanish army shortly so this info is really useful.
Excellent! I can't wait to see your video on Prussia! I wargame 1806-07 Prussians! One of my favorite game scenarios is "Early Leipzig" where the Austrians intervene in the conflict post-Jena, on the Prussian and Russian retreat to Friedland.
Does anyone know what color the Spanish painted their artillery gun carriages and limbers? I'm thinking of painting mine a dark red just to contrast with the British light blue and French olive green, and because I think that's the color they used during the War of Spanish Succession, but does anyone know for sure?
Thanks for the kind words! I've only got Prussia of the main powers to do, then I'm hitting up the secondary nations. I'm looking forward to Naples actually, we should be able to have some fun there
Muy buena elección tío la caballería española siempre lucho muy bien y no te quepa duda que el soldado español siempre dejó los pabellones y banderas bien altos y con honor.el regimiento de dragones de numancia verdad? Eran de los pocos que llevaban guerrera amarilla y muy bonita por cierto.el siguiente es el regimiento de cazadores a caballo de olivenza me parece no? Los dragones de numancia aún usan el antiguo uniforme con el horrendo bicornio luego cambiado por un casco de acero dorado.luego el regimiento de coraceros españoles. Ese lo tengo yo tío.con su guerrera roja.
Classical British historians are known for trying to give the impression that the peninsular war was won by Britain and that the Spanish army was ineffective. With recent studies of the source material, historians are realising that the Spanish regular armies played a bigger role than previously thought. 3.076 French officials died in combat during the peninsular war. 19% Were killed by Spanish ad Portuguese Guerrillas. 32% Were killed by the Allied armies (Including Britain) 49% Were killed by the Spanish army. Source: Officers De Napoleon tues ou blesses pendant l 'guerra de Espagne. You make great videos but they are limited by the bias of most British historians which always tend to be a bit to sentimental and guided by patriotism. Do not get me wrong, the presence of English troops was important, but it wasn't as decisive as some wanna make it out to be. The priority of Wellington was the safety of his army, for him this was most important than the Spanish or Portuguese cause.
That's always the issue with my research, availability of sources, especially in English. When I researched the Russians it was very difficult, similarly the Brunswickers. The prussians got a bit more love, but it's tough mining info about then before 1815
Please don't take this the wrong way, but how big was the Spanish Army compared to that of the Britain and her allies? The reason I ask is if the numbers were equal or the size of the Spanish forces less than that of the Brits, their "score" would be impressive. If, however, the Spanish Army was twice the size of the British one for example, one could say they weren't holding their end up. Army strength is a pretty basic unit of measure and there are others one might argue are better but it does illustrate that simple "we biffed more than you biffed" statements aren't necessarily proof of anything. Context is important.
The total number of british troops that took place in the peninsular war was around 30.000. The portuguese around 35.000. The spanish army that opposed the french had around 120.000 regulars and 30.000 irregulars. The french had around 300.000 men.
@@giantorres3352 So, with an army of about 65,000 the Brits and their allies killed 984 French officers With 120,000, the Spanish regular army killed 1507. That's not a great kill ratio for the Spaniards. As I say, context is everything and there may well be very good reasons for this, but it does illustrate why simplistic measures can be very bad. Personally I don't think there was anything wrong with the average Spanish soldier during the Peninsular War. He was individually just as potentially capable and brave as any other. His problem was he was let down by the circumstances of Spain at that time.
Black powder really doesn't like the spanish. I've found myself migrating to valour and fortitude as a rulesset. At least the spanish are a bit more playable there 😂
This is definitely one of my favorite RUclips channels, keep up the good work
Thanks dude!
This is a great set of videos. That said, even as a patriotic Englishman, I’m struggling a little with your comment here that after Bailen the Spanish were unable to win a single field battle without the British taking the lead - what about Alcaniz and Tamames?
I agree....certainly the French generally got the better of it in head to head battles but Spain did have several victories too. I suppose it doesn't help that Napier, one of the most common sources tends to be very one-eyed on the matter
This is a great channel. But always take it with a grain of salt as it is well know that MOST English historians have always tried to sell the presence of Wellington as Decisive in the peninsular war.
I dont even play black powder, but I like learning about napoleonic history
Thanks for watching!
At the start of the invasion. Those Spanish Troops had a very important lack of battle-knowledge. You've quoted general Castaños: You've been defeated by a general that had never took part in a battle before (Bailen). A general who has never been in battle... incredible! Obviously, he had foreign counselors, like Swiss comanders (Reding), or Belgians (Malet) who probably had a better knowledge...
With Malet, there were Spanish-American officers, like the libertador José de San Martín (An Argentinian friend of mine used to say: the only saint who is in Hell)...
Súper! Remember the charge regimiento del Rey in talavera battle !
This was really interesting, I didnt realise the Spanish had cuirassiers so thanks for that. I hope to be starting on a Spanish army shortly so this info is really useful.
Excellent! I can't wait to see your video on Prussia! I wargame 1806-07 Prussians! One of my favorite game scenarios is "Early Leipzig" where the Austrians intervene in the conflict post-Jena, on the Prussian and Russian retreat to Friedland.
I enjoyed this video as I have all your others. I still hope you will do a video or series on the Confederation of the Rhine troops!
I will! I'm doing the major powers first, o ly Prussia left, then going in to the secondary ones
@@NapoleonicWargaming I can't wait!
Thank you for another great video.
Thank you for watching!
Great series. Thank you
Thanks for watching!
Really great vid. Very interesting as usual.
Lovely Spanish cavalry, great job on them!
Thanks bu not mine. I dont actually own any Spanish cavalry (yet!)
Great video again :)
Thanks buddy. Glad you enjoyed it and thank you fo watching!
It would be helpful if the docs. mentioned the model manufacturers, written at the base of each pic as it comes up.
I am currently building a small spanish contingent for DBN, I found this of great help. Thanks.
Great stuff! I'd love to see some photos wen they're done!
Really interesting as always. 👍
Thanks!
Another super useful video!
Thanks bud
Very interesting video, very enjoyable.
Great video again thank you :)
Thanks bud, more importantly, thank you for watching!
Does anyone know what color the Spanish painted their artillery gun carriages and limbers? I'm thinking of painting mine a dark red just to contrast with the British light blue and French olive green, and because I think that's the color they used during the War of Spanish Succession, but does anyone know for sure?
Regimiento Inmemorial del Rey. Called this way because they are older than the Tercios (built in 1248)...
Let's keep this nineteen century bud, we dont need modern politics here, that's why I deleted your other comment ;)
I wonder if it was ever translated into English. But you may like "Curro Jiménez", a TV series, about a bandolero leader in those ages...
That was excellent. What about something on the Neopolitans one day 🌞
Thanks for the kind words! I've only got Prussia of the main powers to do, then I'm hitting up the secondary nations. I'm looking forward to Naples actually, we should be able to have some fun there
Muy buena elección tío la caballería española siempre lucho muy bien y no te quepa duda que el soldado español siempre dejó los pabellones y banderas bien altos y con honor.el regimiento de dragones de numancia verdad? Eran de los pocos que llevaban guerrera amarilla y muy bonita por cierto.el siguiente es el regimiento de cazadores a caballo de olivenza me parece no? Los dragones de numancia aún usan el antiguo uniforme con el horrendo bicornio luego cambiado por un casco de acero dorado.luego el regimiento de coraceros españoles. Ese lo tengo yo tío.con su guerrera roja.
Excellent video once again. Plenty of colour, not much use it seems!
Haha. Unfortunately not. But you'll deffo win the 'who's got the nicest army' award!
Classical British historians are known for trying to give the impression that the peninsular war was won by Britain and that the Spanish army was ineffective. With recent studies of the source material, historians are realising that the Spanish regular armies played a bigger role than previously thought.
3.076 French officials died in combat during the peninsular war.
19% Were killed by Spanish ad Portuguese Guerrillas.
32% Were killed by the Allied armies (Including Britain)
49% Were killed by the Spanish army.
Source: Officers De Napoleon tues ou blesses pendant l 'guerra de Espagne.
You make great videos but they are limited by the bias of most British historians which always tend to be a bit to sentimental and guided by patriotism.
Do not get me wrong, the presence of English troops was important, but it wasn't as decisive as some wanna make it out to be.
The priority of Wellington was the safety of his army, for him this was most important than the Spanish or Portuguese cause.
That's always the issue with my research, availability of sources, especially in English. When I researched the Russians it was very difficult, similarly the Brunswickers. The prussians got a bit more love, but it's tough mining info about then before 1815
@@NapoleonicWargaming Yh. Great job regardless.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but how big was the Spanish Army compared to that of the Britain and her allies? The reason I ask is if the numbers were equal or the size of the Spanish forces less than that of the Brits, their "score" would be impressive. If, however, the Spanish Army was twice the size of the British one for example, one could say they weren't holding their end up.
Army strength is a pretty basic unit of measure and there are others one might argue are better but it does illustrate that simple "we biffed more than you biffed" statements aren't necessarily proof of anything. Context is important.
The total number of british troops that took place in the peninsular war was around 30.000. The portuguese around 35.000. The spanish army that opposed the french had around 120.000 regulars and 30.000 irregulars. The french had around 300.000 men.
@@giantorres3352 So, with an army of about 65,000 the Brits and their allies killed 984 French officers With 120,000, the Spanish regular army killed 1507. That's not a great kill ratio for the Spaniards.
As I say, context is everything and there may well be very good reasons for this, but it does illustrate why simplistic measures can be very bad.
Personally I don't think there was anything wrong with the average Spanish soldier during the Peninsular War. He was individually just as potentially capable and brave as any other. His problem was he was let down by the circumstances of Spain at that time.
Black powder really doesn't like the spanish. I've found myself migrating to valour and fortitude as a rulesset. At least the spanish are a bit more playable there 😂
Yeah, tbh I think they're a bit silly when it comes to the Spanish