french wars - penisular

Question 1

When was the Battle of Waterloo fought?

Answer 1

18th June 1815

Question 2

What did Wellington describe the Battle of Waterloo as?

Answer 2

The nearest run thing you ever saw in your life

Question 3

What were the three strong points on the battlefield?

Answer 3

• The Chateau at Hougoumont
• The farmhouse of La Haye Sainte
• Farm of Papelotte

Question 4

How many men and guns did Wellington have at the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 4

68,000 men and 156 guns

Question 5

How many men and guns did Napoleon have at the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 5

72,000 men and 246 guns

Question 6

What was a significant factor affecting Napoleon on the morning of the battle?

Answer 6

He was unwell and unable to sit down on a horse for long.

Question 7

What caused delays in moving troops and cannons on the battlefield?

Answer 7

The ground was waterlogged after rain

Question 8

What time did the French decide to begin their assault?

Answer 8

11 o’clock

Question 9

What was the outcome of the French assault on Hougoumont?

Answer 9

Both assaults were repulsed

Question 10

What caused some Dutch and Belgian units to break and flee?

Answer 10

Heavy fire from Napoleon’s ‘ground battery’ of artillery

Question 11

Who was commanding the French forces after Napoleon fell ill?

Answer 11

Ney

Question 12

What mistake did Ney make during the battle?

Answer 12

He mistakenly believed Wellington was retreating and sent all the French cavalry in pursuit.

Question 13

What formation did the allied infantry use against the French cavalry?

Answer 13

Squares

Question 14

What was the result of the battle for the French army?

Answer 14

The French army disintegrated; many fled, others surrendered

Question 15

Where did Napoleon escape to after the battle?

Answer 15

Paris

Question 16

Where was Napoleon exiled after the battle?

Answer 16

St Helena

Question 17

What did Wellington return to Britain as after the battle?

Answer 17

A hero

Question 18

What did Wellington have to change about the image of the British soldier?

Answer 18

He had to change the perception from ‘scum’ to one of respect

Question 19

What did Wellington express about his Peninsular army at Waterloo?

Answer 19

He would have been more aggressive had he had his Peninsular army

Question 20

Who were some of Wellington’s trusted officers?

Answer 20

• Somerset (Lord Raglan)
• Uxbridge
• De Lancey

Question 21

What did Wellington request before Waterloo regarding his officers?

Answer 21

He asked for as many of his Peninsular Officers back as possible

Question 23

What was Wellington known for during the Peninsular War?

Answer 23

Attention to detail and picking advantageous battle locations

He also believed in ensuring his soldiers were well fed and equipped.

Question 24

How did Wellington view his soldiers?

Answer 24

He believed in them and thought they could be made into fine soldiers

He remarked they were the ‘very scum of the earth’ but could be transformed.

Question 25

What major event did Napoleon initiate in 1805?

Answer 25

A new campaign in Europe ## Footnote He quickly defeated Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

Question 26

What prevented Napoleon from invading Britain?

Answer 26

Nelson’s victory at sea ## Footnote This victory eliminated any chance for a naval invasion.

Question 27

What action did Napoleon take regarding Spain?

Answer 27

He replaced Spain’s king with his brother Joseph ## Footnote This angered the Spanish patriots.

Question 28

What happened in Portugal in 1807?

Answer 28

The French army moved into Portugal ## Footnote This was to prevent the British Navy from using Portuguese ports.

Question 29

What was the outcome of the Battle of Vimeiro?

Answer 29

Wellington's forces defeated the French led by Marshal Junot ## Footnote This occurred on 21st August 1808.

Question 30

Who superseded Wellington after the Battle of Vimeiro?

Answer 30

Sir Hew Dalrymple ## Footnote He was the new commander-in-chief.

Question 31

What was the Convention of Sintra?

Answer 31

A deal that allowed French troops to evacuate in British ships ## Footnote This included keeping their loot.

Question 32

What setback did the British face in January 1809?

Answer 32

The death of Sir John Moore during the evacuation from Corunna ## Footnote This event demoralized the returning troops.

Question 33

What characterized Wellington's campaign from 1809 to 1814?

Answer 33

A war of invasion and retreat, sieges, and attrition ## Footnote He faced experienced French generals.

Question 34

What was Wellington's preferred tactical position?

Answer 34

Positioning infantry on the reverse slope of a hill ## Footnote This provided protection from enemy cannon fire.

Question 35

What was the standard musket used by Wellington's infantry?

Answer 35

The 'Brown Bess' musket ## Footnote It could manage four shots a minute in expert hands.

Question 36

What fortifications did Wellington build to protect supply lines?

Answer 36

The lines of Torres Vedras ## Footnote These were massive fortifications across a peninsula north of Lisbon.

Question 37

What was the result of the Battle of Talavera?

Answer 37

Wellington achieved a narrow victory but could not fully exploit it ## Footnote The Spanish army was ill-equipped.

Question 38

What happened at Fuentes de Onoro?

Answer 38

Wellington survived an attack by Massena's forces ## Footnote The battle lasted for three days.

Question 39

What significant event occurred in 1812 regarding Napoleon's forces?

Answer 39

Napoleon invaded Russia ## Footnote This allowed Wellington to adopt a more aggressive approach as he was not outnumbered.

Question 40

What was the aftermath of Wellington's victory at Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz?

Answer 40

Violence against townspeople, including killing and looting ## Footnote Wellington's officers had to restore discipline.

Question 41

What was Wellington's experience during the Battle of Salamanca?

Answer 41

He used hills to shield his army and took the French by surprise ## Footnote This resulted in heavy losses for the French.

Question 42

What marked the end of the Peninsular War?

Answer 42

The French defeat at Vitoria ## Footnote This allowed Wellington to invade Southern France in 1814.

Question 43

What happened in April 1814 regarding Napoleon?

Answer 43

He was forced to abdicate and retreated to exile on Elba ## Footnote This marked a temporary end to his rule.

Question 44

What occurred after Napoleon's escape from Elba in February 1815?

Answer 44

He returned to France and regained power ## Footnote Troops sent to arrest him joined him instead.

Question 45

What was Wellington's strategy at the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 45

He planned to cooperate with the Prussians ## Footnote Wellington's forces were a coalition of various nationalities.