alternatehistory.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Copenhagen_(1801)

Before I read this article, I had the impression that Copenhagen was a one-sided spanking of the Danes by the British, but going over the battle in more detail, there were moments where the British might have withdrawn.

(Nelson's eyepatch for one, as well as the note that some thought a ruse.)

So basically, what if the Danes were able to successfully repulse the British attackers?

I'm thinking the League of Armed Neutrality might survive, at least for awhile longer. The British could always try again, but the attack on Copenhagen was timed so that the Russian fleet was iced in its ports. A few weeks longer and the Russian fleet will join the rest and the British will face a much more formidable opponent.
Top