An overview of Napoleon's battle strategies; part of an explanation of his military success

1. The Napoleonic Wars Napoleon’s Battle Strategies

2. Lines: Traditional Progressed horizontally Often broke Irregular terrain Difficult to manoeuvre, turn Easily broken Could have battalions behind them Lost popularity after French successes with columns in Revolutionary Wars

3. Columns Simple, fast formation Easier, quicker to turn Held together over most terrain Steadier against cavalry But couldn’t break through lines Deficient in firepower Only front ranks could use rifles effectively

4. Ordre Mixte Napoleon’s strategy Unorthodox Mobile formations of lines and columns moving around battlefield Firing at will Often followed up with bayonet charge Enabled quick formation of Squares

5. Squares Hollow or dense Used against cavalry If infantry was formed on 2 lines of squares and was supported by artillery “I cannot imagine what cavalry would be able to accomplish against them.” General Thiebault’s Manual 1813 “A cavalry charge against infantry in square would be thrown back 99 times out of 100” Mark Adkin “Although several cavalrymen managed to break into the square, they were al bayoneted.” Lines and columns: “The most welcome sight for attacking cavalry.”

6. Skirmishing Small groups fighting independently in minor engagements or with special objectives Could be used to confuse / disguise the movement of the rest of the troops from the enemy

7. Artillery 1 Large, heavy, clumsy Once in place, stayed Some technological improvements Napoleon trained in horse artillery Used them more than usual Ensured they were state of the art Thus his guns much greater flexibility Many armies still used contractors to move artillery Most effective over flat terrain Thus traditional battle plans focusing on the need to have high ground reduced their effectiveness

8. Artillery 2 Key problems: Smoke: could be used to confuse enemy Recoil: guns had to be re-positioned Overall battlefield impact: terrifying Noise, smell, confusion At close range cause widespread injury Especially horses Punched through metal / armour On flat terrain, artillery could halt attack

9. Cavalry – Light Eyes and ears of army Constantly hovering in advance, on flanks Prevent possibility of surprise attack Would often follow up infantry Also designed for pursuit Napoleon relentlessly pursued fleeing enemy First to do this Increased enemies’ numbers of casualties Napoleon’s ‘pygmy cavalry’ Polish small warfare light cavalry on ponies Manoeuvred, deployed, charged, deployed at very fast pace Incredibly skilled

10. Cavalry – Heavy Main role: shock tactics Not so mobile BUT massive, irresistible charge Main impact: morale of enemy Long sabres + horseback + body armour  reach every opponent Difficult to coordinate Only experienced, disciplined troops maintained slower, steady pace Anxiety  cavalry speeding up and breaking formation

11. Lancers Very difficult to master Formidable opponent Galloped all over battlefield Cavalry fled before them at Waterloo Useful in pursuit Could finish off wounded without dismounting Napoleon impressed by Polish lancers Had 9 regiments of lancers

12. Napoleon’s Tactics: Examples Lure enemy into unfavourable position Feign retreat Let enemy have high ground Napoleon an artillery officer Surprise: speed and mobility of army Moved his armies in small, self contained groups, a mile apart, on different roads, living off the land Relentless pursuit of fleeing enemy Opportunist Napoleon’s plans = generalised Realised importance of luck, flexibility Brilliant at improvisation OrdreMixte