Monthly Lecture: 'Like a Brazen Wall' - The Battle of Minden Reconsidered
Thursday 11th August 2022
The SAHR's Chair Ewan Carmichael spoke to the Society about the 1759 Battle of Minden, the subject of his recent book, on 11 August 2022.
A recording of the talk is now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IKtgDvYKM74
Synopsis
The Battle of Minden (1 August 1759) is justifiably celebrated as a major victory by those British infantry regiments and artillery batteries involved. However, for too long the French have been seen as a convenient target array, while the north German allies have been relegated to a supporting role. This talk will review the battle, and its linked companion engagement, Gohfeld, fought in parallel on the same morning. Drawing on French primary sources, the speaker will show that the French cavalry, so ably defeated, whilst central to the French dispositions, was not part of the French 'main effort'. The presentation aims to provide a more balanced account of the engagement.
Speaker Biography
Ewan Carmichael is Chair of the Society for Army Historical Research. A Regular soldier for 38 years and also a dental surgeon, he retired as Director General Army Medical Services, having served on numerous operational deployments. The author of 'Like a Brazen Wall - The Battle of Minden and its Place in the Seven Years War', and a battlefield guide, his principal interest is the horse and musket era.