Those Terrible Grey Horses: An Illustrated History Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

Description

On 18 June 1815, the Royal Scots Greys charged Napoleon's infantry columns, capturing the eagle of the French 45th Infantry. Napoleon is said to have commented of the regiment, 'Ah, ces terribles chevaux gris (those terrible grey horses)'. Today that eagle is the regimental badge of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Scotland's senior regiment and her only regular cavalry. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and their antecedents have been involved in every major British campaign since the 17th century. Here Stephen Wood tells the story of glorious cavalry charges and terrifying tank battles, from the Western Front to the liberation of Basra. Stunning paintings bring the narrative to life while contemporary photography depicts both the horror and the compassion of modern warfare as witnessed by the officers and troopers of this unique regiment.

Author description

Stephen Wood was a museum curator for 29 years, being Keeper of the National War Museum of Scotland 1983-2000. Now working as a freelance researcher and collections-broker, he remains closely and actively involved with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' Museum in Edinburgh Castle. He has published numerous articles and three books in the field of Scottish military history.

Table of contents

Horse, Carabiniers & Dragoons / Securing an Empire / A Long Peace & a Short War / Foreign Adventures & Domestic Peace / Marching over Africa/ In Flanders Fields / Amalgamation, Mechanisation & War / Eagle & Carbine / Scotland's Cavalry: The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers & Greys) / Afterword