Napoleon (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

I think we have beaten this subject long enough - so in closing lets look to a great British Leader for his OPINION.


[BWELLINGTON[/B]

Wellington, when asked who was the greatest General of the Day, answered :

"In this Age, In Past Ages, In Any Age, NAPOLEON.
- Book, WELLINGTON - LONGFORD (1992)

And the little Corsican to his generals, standing at Frederick the Great's grave at Sans Souci:

"Gentlemen, if he were alive today, we would not be standing here."

Prost!
Bradley

 

[Louis Badolato]

Napoleon and Fredierick the Great were certainly great military leaders, but for my money the greatest of all time, hands down, no one else in his class whatsoever, was Alexander the Great. He conquered the known world, while consistently being vastly outnumbered, despite the fact that he died younger than I am now.

 

[debrito]

Napoleon and Fredierick the Great were certainly great military leaders, but for my money the greatest of all time, hands down, no one else in his class whatsoever, was Alexander the Great. He conquered the known world, while consistently being vastly outnumbered, despite the fact that he died younger than I am now.

Well said Louis, one of the greatest general of all time.....tenia huevos he always went first in the battle...

 

[VanguardFC007]

This is a bit off topic from where this thread started but it seems as good a place as any for my question.

I've read in a from a few sources, non-fiction and fiction alike, that the British cavalry was some of the best equiped yet worst led in the Napoleonic age. How is it that Wellington never was able to appoint someone better? Did the British system of buying rank prevent him from removing the incompetant officers?


Harris

 

[damian]

This is a bit off topic from where this thread started but it seems as good a place as any for my question.

I've read in a from a few sources, non-fiction and fiction alike, that the British cavalry was some of the best equiped yet worst led in the Napoleonic age. How is it that Wellington never was able to appoint someone better? Did the British system of buying rank prevent him from removing the incompetant officers?


Harris

You should ask Bernard about the British cavalry. The officers were real upper class chaps who were mostly interested in fox hunting. There are severla books about them. One being called Charging at everything

 

[damian]

I think we have beaten this subject long enough - so in closing lets look to a great British Leader for his OPINION.


WELLINGTON

Wellington, when asked who was the greatest General of the Day, answered :

"In this Age, In Past Ages, In Any Age, NAPOLEON.

- Book, WELLINGTON - LONGFORD (1992)

Ron
That is what the British refer to as being a good sport. You always congratulate the loser on a game well played. Remember it is not winning or losing but how one plays the game that is important.

 

[maloyalo]

I've read in a from a few sources, non-fiction and fiction alike, that the British cavalry was some of the best equiped yet worst led in the Napoleonic age. How is it that Wellington never was able to appoint someone better? Did the British system of buying rank prevent him from removing the incompetant officers? Harris

You have probably read what Wellington once said on the subject, that he had no doubts about a British squadron defeating a french one, or a regiment, but the larger the formations involved became, say Brigade or Division, the more he thought the advantage would sway to the French.

The first thing I would look at would be how did the calvary train ? In what formations, how many together etc.

You do read about very large cavalry formation assaults in battles thru-out Napoleon's carreer. Man, what if Lasalle had not been killed at Wagram..?

Which brings to mind something. Napoleon, as the leader and organizer gets the credit usually, but his officers were a very big part of the successes. A remarkable generation really. But by Waterloo, many were dead, or burnt-out. They had handled most of the tactics. It was an unusually talented group I think, because for just a little while advancement went more by merit then before or after.

 

[Saber]

Lets not forget his brilliant chief of staff Berthier. Also dead by Waterloo , although some question the manner of his death.

 

[OldDragon]

IMHO ... Napoleon would not have lost at Waterloo, had Berthier been alive. As Chief of Staff .. the orders issued to Marshals Grouchy & Ney would have been better written and more precise.

Also with Berthier on the scene, the French would have been better able to respond to changing developments on the field.

OD

 

[Saber]

IMHO ... Napoleon would not have lost at Waterloo, had Berthier been alive. As Chief of Staff .. the orders issued to Marshals Grouchy & Ney would have been better written and more precise.

Also with Berthier on the scene, the French would have been better able to respond to changing developments on the field.

OD

You're not alone in that thought. I've read more than a few historical articles that suggest the same thing. Any comments on his manner of death? Exhaustion, depression, or a little push out of that window?

 

[maloyalo]

You're not alone in that thought. I've read more than a few historical articles that suggest the same thing. Any comments on his manner of death? Exhaustion, depression, or a little push out of that window?

You know I have never seen anything on it & wondered myself if there was any creditable evidence of foul play.

But the situation was intense enough probably to explain suicide. I can imagine how they felt, those that had not rallied to Napoleon, after being part of it for so long. It was certainly rational not to join the madman for one last dance, but their loyalties must have been being torn out by the roots.

 

[Saber]

You know I have never seen anything on it & wondered myself if there was any creditable evidence of foul play.

But the situation was intense enough probably to explain suicide. I can imagine how they felt, those that had not rallied to Napoleon, after being part of it for so long. It was certainly rational not to join the madman for one last dance, but their loyalties must have been being torn out by the roots.

There have been suggestions from Royalist sympathizers to English agents involvement but very little evidence besides a few strands of circumstantial evidence. Much like Napoleons death with all the murder theories just less known in Berthiers case. I'm sticking with the worn out battle fatigued suicide theory myself as it would make sense given the long years of campaigning under great duress both mentally and physically. That said, even if he was alive and had managed to pull a magic rabbit out of his hat and helped Napy win Waterloo I still don't see Napoleon keeping his crown, IMHO.

 

[maloyalo]

There have been suggestions from Royalist sympathizers to English agents involvement but very little evidence besides a few strands of circumstantial evidence. Much like Napoleons death with all the murder theories just less known in Berthiers case. I'm sticking with the worn out battle fatigued suicide theory myself as it would make sense given the long years of campaigning under great duress both mentally and physically. That said, even if he was alive and had managed to pull a magic rabbit out of his hat and helped Napy win Waterloo I still don't see Napoleon keeping his crown, IMHO.

I see it the same. More victories ? Possibly. But not the war.

 

[theBaron]

I agree. By 1815, the other powers had learned the lessons, applying the new command structures, and raising armies that we would recognize as national. I don't think Napoleon could have won a lasting peace, advantageous to France.

Prost!
Brad

 

[sv288]

I agree. By 1815, the other powers had learned the lessons, applying the new command structures, and raising armies that we would recognize as national. I don't think Napoleon could have won a lasting peace, advantageous to France.

Prost!
Brad

Can't wait till the new napolien set comes out that is Strictly Limited.