The Napoleonic WarsNapoleon’s Battle Strategies

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Ordre Mixte