The British Army in Egypt 1801: An Underrated Army Comes of Age

An analysis and evaluation of the British army sent to Egypt in 1801 to eject the French Army of the Orient. When the French declared war on Great Britain in 1793, they undermined the chosen policy of William Pitt, which had been to avoid conflict in order to repair the nation’s finances. The result of this policy was an understrength and inadequately resourced army. Whether campaigning on the continent in coalition with other European powers or picking up the colonial possessions of France and her allies, this army did little to add to its reputation. Yet, despite appearances, as the decade progressed there could be no doubt that improvements were taking place. When it was decided in 1800 that the French Army of the Orient, abandoned by Bonaparte, could be ejected from Egypt, the troops sent to achieve this objective were of a very different quality from those that had been dispatched to Flanders in 1793. This study analyses that force and its commanders, examines the preparations that contributed so notably to its success, and evaluates why it was able to take the fight to a battle-hardened Revolutionary force and defeat it. SELLING POINTS: . A study of the crucial period during the Revolutionary Wars when Britain dramatically improved the army . Their defeat of the French in 1801 was one of the earliest successes against Napoleonic France . The campaign would prove influential in subsequent British strategy culminating at Waterloo 24pp colour plates, 20 b/w illustrations and maps