Book
Review:
Napoleon's Mamelukes
By Ronald Pawly
Artwork by Patrice Courcelle
Among the many glittering and outlandish uniforms of the Napoleonic
Wars those worn by Napoleon's mamelukes one stand turban and shoulders
above the rest.
Brightly
coloured and distinctively Middle Eastern, the red, yellows and
green outfits of these legendary warriors grabbed the eyes of
the French people.
In
society it became fashionable for women to wear large turbans
and shawls and children to be dressed in Mameluke styles.
In
Osprey's Napoleon's Mamelukes author Ronald Pawly takes
an in-depth look at the fierce horsemen who took over Egypt and
ruled, at varying stages, large Middle Eastern provinces through
their lords, or beys.
The
warrior Mamelukes were recruited through slave markets where light-skinned
Christian boys were bought, converted to Islam and then began
a lifelong service to their lords and war.
They
were at their best while fighting and their tactical and weapons
skills, and unwavering courage, made them a mighty force.
In
1798 the West clashed with the Mamelukes when Napoleon invaded
Egypt and for their elan and bravery the Mamelukes were no match
for the veterans of Bonaparte's army.
After
Napoleon returned to France to begin his last climb for ultimate
power, General Menou formed a Mameluke regiment for use in the
French army and after spending time in refugee quarantine the
warriors became part of Bonaparte's personal guard. Throughout
the long wars the Mamelukes would serve with the Imperial Guard's
chasseurs a cheval.
Their
loyalty was never questioned and they, fatally for some, became
synonymous with Napoleon and his empire. After his final fall
that led to many Mamelukes being murdered by vengeful Royalists.
Aside
from covering the history of the Mamelukes and detailing their
military campaigns under Napoleon, Pawly also tells us of some
of the major personalities within the Mameluke regiment. The brief
biographies open a window on the type of men serving in the regiment
and also how brave they were. Chahin, for example, suffered no
fewer than 40 wounds in the emperor's service.
As
we have come to expect from the Osprey Men-at-Arms series the
colour artwork by Patrice Courcelle in Napoleon's Mamelukes is
superb and captures the confidence, arrogance and flamboyance
of the Mameluke warrior.
Napoleon's
Mamelukes is an excellent and informing book that will comfortably
sit among our ever-expending military library.
-
Richard Moore
9/10
