Napoleonic Trivia #82 (1 Viewer)

[Grognard]

Which general got buried in the Alps 5 years after he died although he didn't die there?

 

[valmy33]

Hi,

General Desaix

Faithfully
Valmy

 

[Grognard]

Hi,

General Desaix

Faithfully
Valmy

Correct answer Valmy! {bravo}}

This is indeed Louis Charles Antoine Desaix who died at Marengo in 1800 just a few days after returning from Egypt. Interestingly enough Napoleon will move his body from Milan to the Grand-Bernard pass in 1805 although Desaix never crossed the Alps with Napoléon and 5 years after his death.

 

[TomB]

Correct answer Valmy! {bravo}}

This is indeed Louis Charles Antoine Desaix who died at Marengo in 1800 just a few days after returning from Egypt. Interestingly enough Napoleon will move his body from Milan to the Grand-Bernard pass in 1805 although Desaix never crossed the Alps with Napoléon and 5 years after his death.

I gather that all you Nap people are clued up on Nap.....I have a question....I am no student of Nap or Wellington (Though I was born in a place called Wellington)......from the little I have read about both generals and Waterloo..I gained the impression that Nap had Welly on the spot until that German,,,Prussian..... fellow turned up late and rained on Naps parade .....would Nap have won if not for the German ?...discount that stupid cavalry charge before fritz turned up......curious is I...cheers TomB

 

[Napoleon1er]

You just asked the one question that incites total war among us Nap guys{sm4}. Many people will tell you many things, but my answer is yes. Yes, if the Prussians had not shown up, and Napoleon had done a charge with combined arms (cavalry supported by infantry- the Guard), Napoléon le Grand could have won the battle of Waterloo. Coulda woulda shoulda. But that was history, and we can't change it (unfortunately {sm0}). I am very interested to hear what Grognard, Valmy, Trooper, and Nick Cameron (Scarlet Pimpernel) have to say. These gentlemen have taught me most of the useless mounds of obscure information I know about Napoléon, so I will defer to the answers.
-Sandor:salute::

 

[TomB]

You just asked the one question that incites total war among us Nap guys{sm4}. Many people will tell you many things, but my answer is yes. Yes, if the Prussians had not shown up, and Napoleon had done a charge with combined arms (cavalry supported by infantry- the Guard), Napoléon le Grand could have won the battle of Waterloo. Coulda woulda shoulda. But that was history, and we can't change it (unfortunately {sm0}). I am very interested to hear what Grognard, Valmy, Trooper, and Nick Cameron (Scarlet Pimpernel) have to say. These gentlemen have taught me most of the useless mounds of obscure information I know about Napoléon, so I will defer to the answers.
-Sandor:salute::

From my little knowledge of the battle...I thought the charge by Ney ? was foolhardy and too soon...but that's the French for you and of course that Germany really stuffed things up.....Waterloo in a nutshell....that is only my unlearned opinion.....interesting too find what the more learned have to say...but...whatever...history is history and cannot be changed....cheers TomB

 

[valmy33]

Hi gentlemen,

What can I say about Waterloo?

Certainly, there have been mistakes. The cavalry charge led by Ney was conducted too soon. Napoleon told himself.
When the riders arrived at the artillery should have been nailed English guns or back to the square. It was a big mistake not to do so. Unfortunately the infantry did not follow.
Grouchy should also walk to the cannon ... and if, and if.
However, the Anglo Prussian victory depends not only on the mistakes of Napoleon and his marshals. Indeed, the English infantry, very disciplined, was considered one of the best in Europe, if not the best. The war in Spain has allowed Wellington to have experienced troops with high morale.
In addition, armemment including English rifles were better.

And if Napoleon had defeated the Anglo Prussian victory would have been a Pyrrhic victory. Europe was more united against him (England, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, Russia). It would just managed to delay the total defeat.

Faithfully
Valmy

 

[Grognard]

Hi gentlemen,

What can I say about Waterloo?

Certainly, there have been mistakes. The cavalry charge led by Ney was conducted too soon. Napoleon told himself.
When the riders arrived at the artillery should have been nailed English guns or back to the square. It was a big mistake not to do so. Unfortunately the infantry did not follow.
Grouchy should also walk to the cannon ... and if, and if.
However, the Anglo Prussian victory depends not only on the mistakes of Napoleon and his marshals. Indeed, the English infantry, very disciplined, was considered one of the best in Europe, if not the best. The war in Spain has allowed Wellington to have experienced troops with high morale.
In addition, armemment including English rifles were better.

And if Napoleon had defeated the Anglo Prussian victory would have been a Pyrrhic victory. Europe was more united against him (England, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia, Russia). It would just managed to delay the total defeat.

Faithfully
Valmy

I agree with Valmy's points. To add to these I would also put this battle into context. Keep in mind that Napoleon had little time to put together his army after returning from Elba. He was also missing some key people on his staff: Berthier, Murat, etc. also as we know communication failure (with Ney, Grouchy, etc.) played a key role in this battle's outcome...