Napoleonic Wars - Wellington

Question 1

What was a Rearguard action?

Answer 1

a part of a military force that protects it from attack from the rear, either during an advance or withdrawal

Question 1

What was the size of the British Army by 1815?

Answer 1

250,000

Question 2

How did Wellington neutralise the French Army’s strengths?

Answer 2

using artillery, massed infantry and mobility with large formations or corps

Question 3

When did the battle of Talavera take place?

Answer 3

28 July 1809

Question 4

What was the outcome of the battle of Talavera?

Answer 4

On 28 July 1809, British defeated the French at Talavera to the south-west of Madrid, over 14,000 casualties.

Question 5

What was Torres Vedras?

Answer 5

To protect supply lines, the Lines of Torres Vedras were lines of forts and other military defences built in secrecy to defend Lisbon during the Peninsular War.

Question 6

When did Fuentes de Onoro take place and how long did the conflict last?

Answer 6

3–5 May 1811, 3 days

Question 7

What division was nearly caught by the French in Fuentes de Onoro and what formation was
used to withdraw?

Answer 7

the 7th Division was almost caught out of position until the Light Division joined it and used a textbook withdrawal using square formations

Question 8

What were Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz and when did the sieges take place?

Answer 8

January - April 1812, two key frontier fortresses, whose fall opened Spain to the advance of Wellington’s army

Question 9

What was the aftermath of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz?

Answer 9

Soldiers killed, raped and robbed the townspeople.

Thomas Picton, at Ciudad Rodrigo, helped to restore discipline.

After Badajoz, many looters were flogged.

Question 10

When did the Battle of Salamanca take place?

Answer 10

22 July 1812

Question 11

What did Wellington use during the Battle of Salamanca to shield the army?

Answer 11

Wellington used hills to shield his army and took the French by surprise on the march.

Question 12

When did the battle of Vitoria take place?

Answer 12

21 June 1813

Question 13

How did Wellington defeat the French forces at Vitoria?

Answer 13

Wellington’s plan split his army into four attacking “columns”, attacking the French defensive position from south, west and north while the last column cut down across the French rear.

Question 14

When did Wellington invade Southern France?

Answer 14

France was invaded in 1814

Question 15

When did the Battle of Waterloo take place?

Answer 15

18 June 1815

Question 16

What were the names of the three strongpoints at the Battle?

Answer 16

• The Chateau at Hougoumont in the centre.
• The farmhouse of La Haye Sainte.
• Farm of Papelotte

Question 17

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

Answer 17

68,000 men and 156 guns

Question 18

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

Answer 18

72,000 men 246 guns

Question 19

Why was the battle of Waterloo delayed until 11am?

Answer 19

the ground was waterlogged after rain which caused delays in moving troops and cannons

Question 20

What position did the French attack first at Waterloo

Answer 20

The French began with an assault on Hougoumont, as well as infantry attack, both were repulsed.

Question 21

Which French commander to command after Napoleon was taken ill at Waterloo?

Answer 21

Ney

Question 22

Why did the French send an all-out cavalry attack at Waterloo?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How many men did Marshal Grouchy sent to prevent the arrival of the Prussians?

Answer 23

30,000 men

Question 24

Who led the Prussian Army?

Answer 24

Blucher

Question 25

What happened to the French elite guards during the Prussian arrival?

Answer 25

Wellington ordered the British to charge with Bayonets and the Old Guard was broken, they ran

Question 26

What Island was Napoleon exiled too after his surrender?

Answer 26

St Helena