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Choose a commander that you have studied and explain why he was so…
Choose a commander that you have studied and explain why he was so successful.
Good tactics
Reverse Slope Tactic was first used in the Peninsular War at Vimiero. Helped fooled the French into thinking they were retreating by hiding behind the hill. He used the same tactic at Waterloo with Mont St Jean ridge at 7:30pm.
He also fooled the French into thinking they were retreating with dust from a baggage train at the Battle of Salamanca in the Peninsular War which also led to a great victory.
Torres Vedras
He learnt the importance of being connected to waterways (seas and rivers) to ensure good supplies for troops. He built the Torres Vedras trenches in secret in Portugal to hide his troops but to allow good connections with the Atlantic and the rivers. The trenches ran from the Atlantic to the Tagus
He also burnt all of the crops in front of the hills so the French would starve and have no supplies, whilst they continued to be well supplied.
He formed defensive squares in the Battle of Waterloo which scared the French cavalry off with the bayonets.
He marched his men in columns 2 men deep which allowed the men to spread across the battlefield. The French marched in columns 6 men wide and thousands of soldiers deep.
On 22 July 1812, he won a great victory at Salamanca. This battle proved Wellington had the ability to manoeuvre and attack in the open field, and established his reputation as an offensive general.
Introduction
Most famous victory was at Waterloo. But many of the skills he learnt were through campains in India (where he fought alongside his brother Richard Wellesley) and the Peninsular War.
Defeated Napoleon once and for all at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled him to St Helena.
Explain Wellington is the commander you will be talking about!
Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) was born in Dublin in 1769. He was sent to Eton aged 12, but had to leave due to his fathers' death and was then sent to France and Belgium to military school. He was commissioned as an ensign in the British Army in 1787.
He was so successful due to his leadership, tactics, preparation, using French failures and becoming a hero.
Good leadership
Was always in the thick of fighting which was inspiring for his troop.
Learnt the importance of diplomacy and allies during his India campaign. This was particularly useful when getting the Prussians onside at Waterloo who could have retreated after the Battle of Ligny, but they continued to march towards Waterloo and helped them to win the battle.
He refused to allow his soldiers to rob and pillage the land for food and supplies (traditionally what soldiers did). This ensured good discipline was kept up.
Used luck and French failures to his advantage at Waterloo
Rain: allowed a delay to the battle which allowed the Prussians to join up.
Napoleon had to retreat from the field and left Marshal Ney in charge which proved disastrous. 3:30pm cavarly charge without infantry support was disastrous.
Good preparation
Studied the battlefield a year before Waterloo. Showed him the importance of the farms and the reverse slope.
Duchess of Richmond's Ball allowed him to talk tactics with his fellow officers.
Studied Napoleon obsessively.
Became a hero after Waterloo and has an enormous legacy
He became Primeminister twice. (1828-30) and 1834
Many monuments were put up in his honour, Wellington college was built to commemorate his victory. Train stations, pubs roads and wellington boots were named in his honour or after the victory at Waterloo. Even Abba produced a song titled 'Waterloo'
After Napoleon's abdication in 1814, Wellington returned home a hero. He was raised to the highest rank of the peerage, becoming the Duke of Wellington.
His battle tactics continue to be studied by soldiers in military academies, including Sandhurst.
Conclusion
Which reason is the most important?
