SURPRISES IN WARFARE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

SURPRISES IN WARFARE.

With the advent of aeroplanes the days of surprises in warfare ceased; bat in all former campaigns they were factors to he reckoned with. Thus, in the Peninsular War, Wellington eu»ploved them so successfully that it is difficult to comprehend why his reputation should have heen that of an ultra-cautious commander. That he could dare upon occasion he showed erirh- in the war by the passage of the I'oiiro <n Uit face of Marshal Soult':. army, May 12, 1809. The river is I r. nd and rapid, the bridges had been destroyed, and 'Soult had ordered all noats to be removed. But a small skiff was discovered, hidden in high rushes, and in this a Portuguese colonel and some peasants crossed to the French side, where tliev found four barges ha» buried in the sand. Of these three conpanies of the Buffs were ferried ow. the watch of the French being so care lesMv confident that the vessels were returning for a second load before they wore noticed. Meanwhile, the troops first landed had seized the Seminary, a largo stone building, where they held out while reinforcements crossed. Batteries from the English l>ank also played on the French columns, and a British division crossed the river by a ford higher up. Soult. surprised and out-generalted, perforce made a hasty, disorderly retreat, withdawing with such precipitation that the dinner prepared for him was served up for Wellington and his staff. Nor was he any too soon, the movement being hampered by some brill : ant charges ot the British cavalry; but ultimately he got clear awav, aiid on the lSth crossed the Portuguese fiontier, having left behind him some 7,000 men, hus guns, and all his stores and baggage.