Regarding naval affairs in the Napoleonic Wars..I have come accross a number of suppositions regarding a loss by Nelson at Trafalgar and whether or not amphibious invasion . This is not to debate wheter or not that is possible..simply to discuss the possible outcomes for the Fr/Sp Fleet if they had been led by what would appear to be the more competent and aggressive Gravina vs Villeneuve at Cape Finnisterre and Trafalgar.
A more agressive pursuit of Calder could it have allowed the Fr/Sp to land the troops in Ireland and then link up with Ganteaume in the channel at Boulogne in time for that cross channel passage by l'armee d'Angleterre.
Or perhaps more decisive leadership and better co-operation at Trafalgar could minimise the allied losses somewhat, leaving them still a significant Naval threat.
Thoughts on the relative merits of the Fr. vs Spanish Admirals would be appreciated.
Even Napoleon seems to have heaped no small measure of praise on Gravina vs his own admirals.
Spain at least would have a much stronger Naval tradition.
It seems to me that if Napoleon had left Spain alone and delegated Naval strategy to the Spanish Admiralty and concentrated the French on Land things might well have gone better in the 3rd coalition and perhaps those that followed.
IN anycase I would like to hear any opinions yea or nay regarding this slight change in Naval affairs?
A more agressive pursuit of Calder could it have allowed the Fr/Sp to land the troops in Ireland and then link up with Ganteaume in the channel at Boulogne in time for that cross channel passage by l'armee d'Angleterre.
Or perhaps more decisive leadership and better co-operation at Trafalgar could minimise the allied losses somewhat, leaving them still a significant Naval threat.
Thoughts on the relative merits of the Fr. vs Spanish Admirals would be appreciated.
Even Napoleon seems to have heaped no small measure of praise on Gravina vs his own admirals.
Spain at least would have a much stronger Naval tradition.
It seems to me that if Napoleon had left Spain alone and delegated Naval strategy to the Spanish Admiralty and concentrated the French on Land things might well have gone better in the 3rd coalition and perhaps those that followed.
IN anycase I would like to hear any opinions yea or nay regarding this slight change in Naval affairs?