The 'Jack Tars' at war in the Mediterranean, the desert and along the River Nile
There is an abiding interest among historians and students of the military campaigns of the Victorian era in the activities of the Naval Brigades of the Royal Navy. There had been comparatively few occasions since Trafalgar and until the First World War when battle fleets could be engaged. However, the crews of the navy could be always be depended upon to perform on land in a manner equal to their reputation afloat. Accordingly, Naval Brigades were deployed in many of Britain's small imperial wars of the 19th century. The special Leonaur book offers the reader virtually everything that could be wished for in that respect, because it covers the activities of sailors on land during the Egyptian War of 1882 and in the later battles against the Mahdists and the attempt to relieve Khartoum in the Sudan. Wilson's account, as told by Bradford, includes a riveting description of the first stages of the campaign in the desert and the fierce fighting which almost resulted in destruction for the British force at El-Teb. Wilson was, of course, central to this action as the Gardner gun failed and the courageous enemy broke into the British square. Beresford's riveting recollection includes the action of his ship, 'Condor' at Alexandria, fierce conflict in the beleaguered squares at Abu Klea, the march across the desert and astonishing performance, misadventures and escape of the Nile river steamer commanded by Beresford as it attempted to rescue Gordon. This Leonaur edition contains illustrations, maps and photographs which did not accompany the original texts.