Britain under Napoleon

Now, Davout was a great commander, but he was no Bonaparte.

(Yes I am a Napoleonophile, if that wasn't clear yet:rolleyes:.

Well, we could have a whole heap of decent conversation about that. My opinion is that Napoleon was very good (no doubt about it) but a big chunk of his 'being good' is based on his officer corps including the likes of Davout, Berthier, Lannes, Murat etc.

For instance, Eylau wouldn't have been what it was if it wasn't for Davout's arrival. I mean, could you imagine Eylau with Bernadotte commanding III Corps and doing what he did during Jena/Auerstadt. Naturally Napoleon would have had a different opinion on the arrival of III corps in this instance, but that was Napoleon's gift. I'd put Davout on par with Napoleon in many respects on the battlefield.


A think a POD French victory at Trafalgar (preferably without Villeneuve.) coupled with French dominance in the continent could lead to France being ready to move against Britain sometime between 1813 and 1815, assuming no Peninsular War and no Russian Campaign. The French were building ships and planned to have 150 ships of the line ready by 1815, hoping to overwhelm the superior British crews with sheer numbers.

I'm not commenting on the ability of invasion. This isn't a WWII Sealion, so things are dramatically different. My comments about 1805/1813/1815 were more to do with how Napoleon was with regard to his conquered territories and who he was putting in power. We all know he was a shell of his former self in 1815 etc.
 
Well, we could have a whole heap of decent conversation about that.

Sure, anytime pal. I look at it this way: Having talented commanders such as Davout, Lannes, Murat and the great administrator that was Berthier, allowed Napoleon to fully execute his strategic and operational brilliance.
 
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