Sir Charles Oman's fifth volume picks up the story in late 1811, with Napoleon's grip on Spain starting to slip. Wellington's Allied army, once mostly on the defensive, finally seizes the initiative. The book follows their daring, hard-fought campaign across the rugged Spanish plains and fortresses.

The Story

Oman guides us through Wellington's bold offensive. We see the brutal, swift capture of the frontier fortresses Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz—assaults so costly they shocked the army. The narrative then builds toward the massive, pivotal Battle of Salamanca in July 1812, where Wellington finally achieves the kind of crushing, open-field victory that had long eluded him. The French are driven from Madrid, and for a moment, it looks like Spain might be liberated. But the story doesn't end there. Oman shows the grinding reality as the campaign stretches its supply lines too thin, forcing a difficult retreat back to winter quarters. The grand hope of 1812 ends in a sobering stalemate.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this volume so gripping is the shift in momentum. You can feel the war turning. Oman doesn't just give you dates and unit numbers; he makes you understand the immense pressure on Wellington to produce a decisive result and the sheer exhaustion of the men who had to make it happen. The triumph of Salamanca is electric, but the subsequent retreat is a powerful reminder of how fragile these victories were. It’s history with all its hope and disappointment intact.

Final Verdict

This is essential reading for anyone fascinated by the Napoleonic era or military strategy. While the detail is deep, Oman's clear prose keeps it accessible. You'll come away with a real appreciation for the skill, luck, and sheer grit it took to beat the French. It’s perfect for history buffs who want to move beyond the big names and understand the campaign's brutal, boots-on-the-ground reality.