tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post344232019591439418..comments2024-03-22T06:21:16.897-07:00Comments on JJ's Wargames: Intelligence Officer in the Peninsula, Letters & Diaries of Major the Hon Edward Charles Cocks 1786-1812 - Julia Page carojonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-78894664183625107132015-05-09T22:57:30.569-07:002015-05-09T22:57:30.569-07:00Hi Adam, thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy...Hi Adam, thanks for your comment. I hope you enjoy the read.carojonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-25605961157649868202015-05-09T17:18:52.676-07:002015-05-09T17:18:52.676-07:00Wow. This is a " must read" for me. Than...Wow. This is a " must read" for me. Thanks for sharing. Great write up.A.P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04557979425409883713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-6509150605280310552015-05-09T15:32:59.320-07:002015-05-09T15:32:59.320-07:00I think it might be difficult to make direct compa...I think it might be difficult to make direct comparisons with intelligence gathering in one theatre to another during the Napoleonic wars given the various factors at play and the forces and their differing capabilities.<br /><br />The interesting aspect of Cocks and his writing is its rarity for an officer in his role to have kept a record of his activities and in such detail. The Peninisular War adds another level of uniqueness in that it lasted for so much longer than the European campaigns and thus the abilities of Wellington's intelligence network to develop and become the system that it did is a remarkable aspect of the struggle.<br /><br />I think Cocks is a part of that story and, as I mentioned in my post, Urban's book on Scovell adds another intriguing part that shows the ability and work required over time to break the Paris Code and end up able to give the insights Wellington got, for example, of Marmont's position and likely reinforcements during the Salamanca campaign, often before Marmont knew himself.<br /><br />This intelligence gathering network was a continuation of his practice from his days in India, but over time became more sophisticated. The French in Spain, given their circumstances, were not able to develop anything near an effective counter to this and thus found their security regularly compromised.<br />carojonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-56653694021262155012015-05-09T13:54:39.887-07:002015-05-09T13:54:39.887-07:00If you think Cocks is interesting, wait until you ...If you think Cocks is interesting, wait until you read about Toli and how Napoleon really won his battles. The story in Gachot that he had the Austrian plans for Rivoli can be proven. Dave Hollinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-25802884429052103632015-05-09T13:24:31.101-07:002015-05-09T13:24:31.101-07:00Hi Furphy. Yes indeed. In the extracts above Cocks...Hi Furphy. Yes indeed. In the extracts above Cocks was very often operation with anything from a troop of about 20 Light Dragoons to a squadron from his own regiment working with a squadron from their brigade partners the 1st KGL Hussars.<br /><br />If you get the book you may find his notes in the appendix on commanding piquets and outposts together with his comparison between British and French tactics very useful for designing these kind of skirmish actions, not to mention his own accounts of actions he was involved in.<br /><br />carojonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-28418793210518795082015-05-09T13:18:19.585-07:002015-05-09T13:18:19.585-07:00Ok Dave you got me! I'm not sure how your comm...Ok Dave you got me! I'm not sure how your comment relates to this book review.carojonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11826580638291659193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-13149143520885077172015-05-09T07:22:30.846-07:002015-05-09T07:22:30.846-07:00Hi Jonathan thanks for taking the time to post, I ...Hi Jonathan thanks for taking the time to post, I wonder if you could tell me if officers like Cocks had an escort when out on a recce . It might make a nice skirmish game .<br />Regards Furphy .Furphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07325958767410758206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2591229843590982581.post-38805369969998511272015-05-09T06:34:30.732-07:002015-05-09T06:34:30.732-07:00You wait until the truth behind Napoleon's vic...You wait until the truth behind Napoleon's victories in Italy is revealed. A lot is about to come to light - and Toli did exist (as shown in Osprey Campaign 70: Marengo)! Dave Hollinsnoreply@blogger.com