British Light Infantry in the American Revolution

British Light Infantry in the American Revolution cover

British Light Infantry in the American Revolution

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Description

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 practise 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-colour 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.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Origins
British Light Infantry on the Eve of the American Revolutionary War
Weapons, Clothing, and Equipment
Operations
Impact and Influence
Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published 18 Feb 2021
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472842497
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Black & white and colour photos.
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Elite
Short code ELI 237
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Robbie MacNiven

Robbie MacNiven has a PhD in American Revolutionar…

Illustrator

Stephen Walsh

Stephen Walsh studied art at the North East Wales…

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