In the Peninsula with a French Hussar: Memoirs of the War of the French in Spain

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Albert Jean Michel de Rocca gives a riveting account of the Peninsular War from an entirely different perspective. Albert Rocca was a junior officer in Napoleon's 2nd Regiment of Hussars, and describes such early events as the march to Madrid and Napoleon's entry into the city, followed by the subsequent battles and the pursuit of Sir John Moore to Corunna.For him Spain was not just alien but totally hostile as well. Where British chroniclers of the Peninsular berate the qualities of the Spanish armies Rocca knew that his life was constantly under threat from not only the enemy armies but also from a population who would kill an unwary or isolated Frenchman in a moment. The Peninsular War was a bitter struggle by the Spaniards to liberate their country from the French invaders and in this essential memoir Albert de Rocca describes the fighting in uncompromising detail. AUTHOR: Albert Jean Michel de Rocca was born in Geneva in 1788, but joined the French Army. Whilst serving in the Iberian Peninsula he was seriously wounded. Back in Geneva, he had an affair with Germaine de St Stael who famously opposed Napoleon and was exiled. Eventually the couple married and after Waterloo they settled in Paris. As well as his Peninsular War memoirs, de Rocca also wrote about the failed British attempt on Walcheren in 1809, entitled La campagne de Walcheren et d'Anvers.

Author Bio

Albert Jean Michel de Rocca was born in Geneva in 1788, but joined the French Army. Whilst serving in the Iberian Peninsula he was seriously wounded. Back in Geneva, he had an affair with Germaine de St Stael who famously opposed Napoleon and was exiled. Eventually the couple married and after Waterloo they settled in Paris. As well as his Peninsular War memoirs, de Rocca also wrote about the failed British attempt on Walcheren in 1809, entitled La campagne de Walcheren et d'Anvers.