Other Notable Battles
The famous "Sun of Austerlitz" shines through the clouds
When it came to tactical prowess, Napoleon was not one to be underestimated and his ability to command on the battlefield would earn him legendary status in Europe and in the world over time. His strategies were brilliant and he was able to make decisions quickly should the necessity arise, yet he was also capable of long, well thought out strategies that would prove their worth over the course of the battle. Under Napoleon’s rule, the aim was not just to better the opposing army in terms of maneuvers, but to downright destroy them. Invasions were also on a much broader scale, and this led to battles carrying much more significance as major territories could be won or lost in a single day.
The Battle of Austerlitz is widely considered to be one of Napoleon’s greatest victories, and is a great example of a well thought out plan that did not make sense immediately, yet its genius would pay off in the long run. The battle took place on December 2nd 1805, and it would eventually be the decisive victory that would lead to Napoleon’s triumph over the Third Coalition[1]. Outnumbered by 13,000 men, Napoleon led some 72,000 men and a mere 157 guns into battle.[2] Napoleon’s plan going into the battle was to draw the Allied forces to where he wanted them to attack, and he did so by purposely making his right flank appear weaker. Once they would attack this flank Napoleon would conceal a corp behind Pratzen height, a small hill located on the battlefield. The enemy would take the bait and their left and center flanks would be exposed, upon which the concealed corp would attack. As suspected the opposing forces attacked the right flank, however they were slow enough that the French were able to repel the attacks for some time. At this point however, the overzealous commander of the concealed corp decided to attack, even though Napoleon was hesitant to orchestrate his final move. Once they were sent over the hill the French corp swiftly destroyed the enemy. It was not long afterwards that the “Sun of Austerlitz” tore through the dense fog that had coated the battlefield and spurred the French forces further onwards. Napoleon’s plan had worked perfectly and now the battle turned in France’s favour. Panic set in amongst the Coalition’s men and they retreated over top of frozen ponds, upon which French artillery began to fire, breaking the ice and causing Russian men (and the artillery pieces they were carrying) to drown.
However, despite this example of a strategy being executed to near perfection, Napoleon did not always enjoy such success on the battlefield. In fact, the most significant loss in his career, The Battle of Waterloo, would lead to his abdication of the throne and eventual exile and death. Sir Wellington’s[3] English forces began to mobilize along the north-eastern borders of France. Napoleon’s plan was to attack them before they were able to join with the advancing Prussian forces and invade France full on. The night before the battle was to commence, it poured rain heavily, and not wanting to have his troops march through the muddy terrain, he delayed the initial attack. This delay would prove to be costly, because when he did attack Wellington’s army, they were able to withstand long enough for the Prussian forces to arrive. Upon their arrival, they proceeded to destroy Napoleon’s right flank, which allowed Wellington to counter-attack and defeat the French forces. The Coalition forces were able to enter France, restore King Louis XVIII[4] to the throne, upon which time Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to St. Helena where he would eventually die.
[1] The Third Coalition was comprised of Russia and Austria
[2] Andrew Uffindell, Great Generals of the Napoleonic Wars. P. 19
[3] Arthur Wellington left Vienna to command the British Army in the Waterloo campaign.
[4] King Louis XVIII ruled France during the time Napoleon returned from exile and reclaimed the throne from him.
The Battle of Austerlitz is widely considered to be one of Napoleon’s greatest victories, and is a great example of a well thought out plan that did not make sense immediately, yet its genius would pay off in the long run. The battle took place on December 2nd 1805, and it would eventually be the decisive victory that would lead to Napoleon’s triumph over the Third Coalition[1]. Outnumbered by 13,000 men, Napoleon led some 72,000 men and a mere 157 guns into battle.[2] Napoleon’s plan going into the battle was to draw the Allied forces to where he wanted them to attack, and he did so by purposely making his right flank appear weaker. Once they would attack this flank Napoleon would conceal a corp behind Pratzen height, a small hill located on the battlefield. The enemy would take the bait and their left and center flanks would be exposed, upon which the concealed corp would attack. As suspected the opposing forces attacked the right flank, however they were slow enough that the French were able to repel the attacks for some time. At this point however, the overzealous commander of the concealed corp decided to attack, even though Napoleon was hesitant to orchestrate his final move. Once they were sent over the hill the French corp swiftly destroyed the enemy. It was not long afterwards that the “Sun of Austerlitz” tore through the dense fog that had coated the battlefield and spurred the French forces further onwards. Napoleon’s plan had worked perfectly and now the battle turned in France’s favour. Panic set in amongst the Coalition’s men and they retreated over top of frozen ponds, upon which French artillery began to fire, breaking the ice and causing Russian men (and the artillery pieces they were carrying) to drown.
However, despite this example of a strategy being executed to near perfection, Napoleon did not always enjoy such success on the battlefield. In fact, the most significant loss in his career, The Battle of Waterloo, would lead to his abdication of the throne and eventual exile and death. Sir Wellington’s[3] English forces began to mobilize along the north-eastern borders of France. Napoleon’s plan was to attack them before they were able to join with the advancing Prussian forces and invade France full on. The night before the battle was to commence, it poured rain heavily, and not wanting to have his troops march through the muddy terrain, he delayed the initial attack. This delay would prove to be costly, because when he did attack Wellington’s army, they were able to withstand long enough for the Prussian forces to arrive. Upon their arrival, they proceeded to destroy Napoleon’s right flank, which allowed Wellington to counter-attack and defeat the French forces. The Coalition forces were able to enter France, restore King Louis XVIII[4] to the throne, upon which time Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to St. Helena where he would eventually die.
[1] The Third Coalition was comprised of Russia and Austria
[2] Andrew Uffindell, Great Generals of the Napoleonic Wars. P. 19
[3] Arthur Wellington left Vienna to command the British Army in the Waterloo campaign.
[4] King Louis XVIII ruled France during the time Napoleon returned from exile and reclaimed the throne from him.