Reasons for British Success on Land Flashcards
Wellington’s Reason for British success?
Tactics.
Leadership.
Learnt from Mistakes.
Wellington’s Tactics
Reverse slope position to beat Junot (Vimero, 08/1808) and Napoleon (Waterloo, 06/1815). Troops hid from artillery fire behind slopes.
Defensive general, only attacked with odds in his favor, limited supplies + army.
Not afraid to retreat, aware of forces limits, withdrew troops Battle of Almaraz (05/1812).
Bold + decisive. Took advantage of a weak flank at Battle of Salamanca (07/1812).
Preparation + reconnaissance key.
Wellington’s Leadership
Lead from front. Waterloo, rode Copenhagen for 14hrs
Calm and determined – storming the breaches at Badajoz (1812) .
Patient, didn’t rush into decisions. 5yrs in Portugal before huge offensive taking Portugal, Spain and part of France.
Cared for his men’s lives, recognized importance of morale and discipline.
Befriended guerrilla forces, paid local farmers for produce and dealt harshly with looters.
Wellington Learnt from Mistakes
Time in India, learnt importance of supply.
Strong supply lines.
French supply lines disrupted by guerillas, and ran through Iberian Peninsular.
Training
Live musketry training, 3 rounds a minute.
Anglo-Portuguese troops officered by British officers.
Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia.
1812, Napoleon’s invaded Russia with La Grande Armee, 600k men. Lost +400k men.
Veteran troops away from Peninsular War.
Napoleon’s Poor Health at Waterloo
Hemorrhoids.
Unable to ride for long.
Limited his ability to exercise command.
Spanish Guerilla Warfare
Spanish Ulcer tied in many French forces.
Weakened French.
Need 500 cavalry to escort a single messenger & 1000 men to escort a General.
Royal Navy
Supplied army.
Maritime Supremacy.
Expansion of Trade.
Funding
1793, £18m in tax.
1793-1815, and extra £12m added every year.
Coalition Partners
Prussians.
Portuguese.
Spanish.