The Peninsular Wars (3)

Question 1

When and what river did the British cross in order to invade France?

Answer 1

• 7th October allied troops crossed the River Bidasoa to bridgehead into France

Question 2

Whilst the British invaded France, what news from Central Europe made the British happy?

Answer 2

• Battle of the Nations fought at Leipzig in Oct 1813, Napoleon was defeated and forced to retreat to the River Rhine

Question 3

When did the British troops take strong positions after crossing the River ____? How many casualties did each side suffer?

Answer 3

• 10th November, The River Nivelle
• British lost 2625, French lost 4350

Question 4

After taking strong positions in France why did Wellington send Spanish troops back to the Pyrenees?

Answer 4

• He knew if Spanish troops marched deep into France then they would seek revenge for French atrocities
• This would alarm civilians and cause them to go against the allies

Question 5

After crossing the River Nive in December, what halted Wellingtons advance? (HINT: it was not Soult’s forces)

Answer 5

• The winter weather stopped Wellingtons advance for the next 9 weeks

Question 6

What happened on the 31st March 1814 that Wellington was unaware of?

Answer 6

• Prussian, Russian and Austrian forces entered Paris and Napoleon abdicated a week later

Question 7

Summarise the overall success of Wellingtons campaign?

Answer 7

• His Army never exceeding 40,000, killed, wounded or captures 200,000 enemy troops
• Lost only 36,000 men in the process

Question 8

Why were more troops sent to America after Napoleon’s abdication?

Answer 8

• War of 1812 between Britain and USA
• Small numbers of British Units and Canadian militia fought Americans trying to get into Canada
• The capital, Washington, was captured and burned

Question 9

The Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 between Britain and America, why did British keep sustaining casualties?

Answer 9

• Forces led by Sit Edward Pakenham did not get news of the peace in America and suffered casualties in New Orleans 1815

Question 10

What Island was Napoleon exiled on?

Answer 10

Italian Island of Elba

Question 11

When did Napoleon begin marching rowers Paris to take on the Prussian and British Army?

Answer 11

• February 1815 he left a small force causing King Lous XVIII to flee
• He hoped to annihilate each army separately

Question 12

What army did Wellington command, and why was he still disadvantaged?

Answer 12

• 90,000 Anglo-Belgian-Dutch-Hanoverian army
• However many Peninsular War Veterans were crossing the Atlantic fighting America

Question 13

Which Marshal was beside Wellington to take on Napoleon?

Answer 13

• Marshal Blucher commanded a Prussian force
• Wellingtons troops were in the west of Belgium and Bluchers were further east

Question 14

What happened on the 15th and 16th July 1815?

Answer 14

• 15th, 120,000 French troops took Wellington and Blucher by surprise
• 16th, Napoleon defeated the Prussians at Ligney

Question 15

Who attacked Wellingtons army at the crossroads at Quatre Bras?

Answer 15

• Was attacked by Marshal Ney

Question 16

How did Napoleon make room to march directly towards Wellington?

Answer 16

• He sent a third of his army under Marshal Grouchy to pursue the Prussians to let Napoleon go for Wellington

Question 17

When did the Battle of Waterloo start and how?

Answer 17

• 17th June 1815
• Wellingtons army retreated to Brussels and positioned his army on a low ridge south of Waterloo
• He was assured Blucher would assist him

Question 18

What delayed the French attack?

Answer 18

• Heavy Rain
• Would halt the artillery so he postponed the attack till 11:30am on the morning of 18th June

Question 19

Why was it unfortunate for Napoleon that the rain delayed his attack?

Answer 19

• Gave time for 72,000 Prussians to attack on his right flank

Question 20

Did the French succeed in capturing the chateau of Hougement?

Answer 20

• They failed to capture it on Wellingtons right flank or drive his army away from the ridge
• 75,000 French had confronted 68,000 of Wellingtons army but failed

Question 21

What happened when Blucher made it to the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 21

• He arrived 1:30pm causing Napoleon to divert his forces
• Ney led the uncoordinated French assaults on the ridge
• French cavalry unsupported by infantry failed to break Wellingtons centre due to their reckless charges

Question 22

Where did the last French attack in the Battle of Waterloo come from?

Answer 22

• Came from French infantry of Imperial Guard
• They were also kept back and defeated with ease
• Allowed the Prussians and Wellington to both move forward
• The French fled the field and Napoleon abdicated (again)

Question 23

What was the result of the Battle of Waterloo in terms of casualties etc?

Answer 23

• Wellington called it a ‘close run thing’
• Wellington suffered over 15,000 casualties. Blucher suffered another 7000
• 25,000 French were slain/wounded

Question 24

When did Napoleon surrender and on what British ship?

Answer 24

• 15th July 1815
• HMS Bellerophon

Question 25

What was the RN’s part in the wars?

Answer 25

• Wellington said victory was down to ‘our maritime supremacy’
• The RN allowed Britain to escape invasion, expand trade and continue to fight France
• Navy had as many large ships as the combined fleet of France, Russia, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and the USA

Question 26

Why did the British armed forces suffer severe cuts after the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer 26

Parliament was trying to reduce both taxation and national debt

Question 27

What was the reduction of warships in 1814 to 1818?

Answer 27

713 —> 121

Question 28

What was the reduction of the army in 1815 to 1828?

Answer 28

240,000 —> 103,000

Question 29

What was naval pay like in 1817?

Answer 29

• By 1817 90% of commissioned naval officers were on ‘half pay’