Prussian Napoleonic Tactics 1792-1815

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"The conventional wisdom is that Prussian tactics remained essentially stagnant from the end of Frederick the Great's campaigns in the Seven Year's War until the shocking defeat by a more modern French army at Jena and Auerstedt in 1806. Many commentators have claimed that it was only after this that Prussia made the reforms that delivered in 1813-1815, the transformed Army's victories in the Wars of Liberation and at Waterloo. Using close analysis of specific battles, both victories and defeats, this book argues that many of the important tactical reforms were actually part of a continuous process that began far earlier. Covering line infantry, skirmishers and cavalry, from Valmy to Waterloo, the Prussian weapons, drills, battlefield organization and tactics are described and explained clearly, and illustrated by tactical diagrams from contemporary training manuals, as well as colour plates showing detailed troop formations and tactical scenarios"--Page 4 of cover