The Role of Wellington in the Peninsular War?

Question 1

What did the Battle of Talavera 1809 show?

Answer 1

• W plugged the gap at just the right moment when Br units perused too far
• Cav unreliable (23rd Light Dragoons went out of control)
• example of scorched earth policy (Br troops attempted to starve the French)
• Br troops harassed French & officers had to be disciplined
• Spanish were ill-equipped w poor leadership
• Portuguese were a more reliable ally & with Br training were well-trained & integrated in 1810 w Br army
• Fr were unable to break through defences
• Fr didn’t have enough men & no Napoleon

Question 2

What did the Lines of Torres Vedras show?

Answer 2

• construction of defensive infrastructure (massive earthworks & ports) to protect supply lines & defend Lisbon from attackers
• showed W’s cautious but strategic initiative
• secure port meant army could be supplied by the navy
• Fr were unable to break through
• Fr couldn’t use siege train
• Napoleon in Paris
• Massena let his men starve & die from disease

Question 3

What did the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro 1811 show?

Answer 3

showed Wellington’s disciplined troops & his self-belief

Question 4

What did the Sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo & Badajoz 1812 show?

Answer 4

• showed W’s diversionary tactics (false attacks to mislead Fr)
• trenches dug parallel to fort
• Br troops behaved badly
• punished for behaviour
• but W has clemency (mercy/leniency) due to heavy losses
• siege of Badajoz was an Anglo-Portuguese army
• Fr made several raids to try & destroy the lines but were repeatedly fended off by the Br 95th rifles
• Fr counterattacked by line infantry but unable to defend in the end

Question 5

What did the Battle of Salamanca 1812 show?

Answer 5

• W insisted on delivering orders in person
• W didn’t sleep for days
• W used hills to shield the army but overall a stunning attacking battle
• W’s army was known for its strong discipline drilled into them through rigorous training
• accounts suggest the Br troops displayed great determination
• Br troops looted & pillaged
• Portuguese formed a major part of W’s allied army est. 48,000
• Sp division there but no fighting just blocking escape routes
• Fr underestimated W (Marshal Marmont caught off guard)
• Fr overextended their lines
• Fr had poor reconnaissance abt W troop movements (strategic & tactical errors)

Question 6

What did the Battle of Vitoria 1813 show?

Answer 6

• W combined Br, Por, Sp forces numbered at 73,000 men & 90 guns
• Fr forces numbered at 57,000 men & 150 guns
• W sent 3 columns to fight the Fr on N, S, W & a final column to cut off the Fr
• 5,000 lost on both sides
• Br were tired
• Br troops plundered & stole (£1 million stolen from Fr)
• “scum of the earth”