Originally published in 1815, Major William Thorn's The Conquest of Java describes the military and naval elements of the British expeditionary force to Java in 1811. It was a time of unrest in Europe. Napoleon was at the height of his power and had taken control of Holland and its colonies in Asia. In August 1810, Britain's Lord Minto, Governor General of India, was ordered by the English East India Company to expel "the enemy" from the Island of Java. On August 4, 1811 a fleet of 100 British ships, carrying 12,000 soldiers, landing in the Bay of Batavia. Among the landing party was the ambitious young company employee from Penang who originally masterminded the plan to take Java, and become Lieutenant–Governor of the island at the tender age of 30. This was none other than Thomas Stamford Raffles who, eight years later, would found Singapore. The Conquest of Java provides a unique and scrupulously detailed account of the British military campaign to wrest control of the island. Written by an officer who took part, Major William Thorn, and lavishly illustrated with 35 color plates, this historically important book provides a wealth of statistical and anecdotal information about Java and its environs.

Samuel Auchmuty was born in New York in 1756. During the American Revolution his remained loyal to King George and he joined the British 45th Foot in 1777. After the war he remained in British service, campaigned in many parts of the world and rose through the ranks. Despite a varied and distinguished career he has not received the attention he warrants, neither as a Loyalist from New York, nor as a successful British soldier.Auchmuty served in India through the Second and Third Mysore Wars, the Rohilla War and a serious mutiny. In 1798 Auchmuty was adjutant-general of the successful Red Sea campaign against French forces in Egypt. Returning to Britain in 1803 he commanded the defences in Thanet, East Kent, at the height of the French invasion threat. He was the only British commander to emerge from the River Plate campaign with credit, capturing Montevideo in 1807. In 1811 he commanded the land forces that captured Java from Franco-Dutch control. He ended his life as Commander-in-Chief, Ireland. John Grainger examines his part in events which shaped world history.

This is a translation of The Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach's account of the British conquest of t he Dutch island of Java in 1811.