Wellington: Master of strategy | Great British Battle Commanders

[@aymanebouhout118]

“The next saddest thing to a battle lost is a battle won” Wellington after winning in Waterloo. From this you can see how he cared and loved his army❤

[@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333]

He found out he was but a pawn not fighting on his own terms.

[@peterthomas2013]

Thank you for this great interview.

[@mktf5582]

Please do Sidney Smith - Duke of Marlborough - Canute the Great - Henry v - Richard the Lionheart.

[@BenTrem42]

Thanks to Bernard Cornwell for his many good works. And to this interview, for so many insights! ^5

[@joemark8436]

Loved this.

[@ericlarison1955]

Great interview.

[@joealp8196]

So much about Waterloo was about mud, mud and a sodden, cold, hungry and tired French army faced with a frontal assault against an enemy, well lead, in a strong defensive position. The answer to most of the questions about the battle are found in therein.

[@peterwebb8732]

That raises the question of “why then, and why there? “ Perhaps all the questions can ultimately be traced back to Bonaparte’s decision to leave Elba and attempt to recapture his old glory. He must have known that the same alliance would be formed against him, and that he would be faced with raising an army within a very limited period, and fighting a campaign in which he could not afford to lose a single battle. Did he believe his own press?

[@joealp8196]

@@peterwebb8732 Well, he was known to to favour generals whom he considered 'lucky'. He was an opportunist (not necessarily a negative quality) and perhaps believed to much his own luck would carry him through. But on the day of battle two of his greatest assets, rapid manoeuvre and artillery were seriously negated.

[@joealp8196]

For example: "Napoleon(or Ney) blundered by not supporting his attack with artillery(or cavalry)"etc. one always hears. He did get a couple of horse batteries up once Haye Sainte fell. But that was along the only paved road available to him! So perhaps it wasn't simply blunder or negligence but what was possible in the circumstances.

[@peterwebb8732]

@@joealp8196 Possibly a fair argument, however there are French sources arguing that many of the difficulties that the French faced on the day, were recognised and voiced by Bonaparte’s Officers prior to the battle. Bonaparte dismissed them instead of addressing them. Analysis of Bony’s orders to his Marshals in the peninsular also suggest that he was prone to believe in his own omniscience and giving orders without adequate regard to conditions.

[@joealp8196]

@@peterwebb8732 Yes, hence the "sepoy general" quote. But I think Boney was behaving in the same way as Monty, for example, did in berating his officers for their fear of Rommel the 'superman'. Inside though, I am sure he had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach.

[@RespectTheGanja]

Use need to put Michael Clarke in the thumbnail. Always

[@jonwebb6644]

Bill Slim

[@nigeh5326]

Born in Bristol educated in Birmingham One of Britain’s best 👍

[@jugbywellington1134]

I would love to see a similar presentation about him.

[@peterwebb8732]

Keep in mind that minor nobility - as Wellington was - were far from guaranteed success and status. Younger sons were often regarded as a drain on what estates the family has, and very often ended up in the Services or the Colonies because no-one knew what else to do with them. Wellington had to perform. As for Cornwall, I rather detest his tendency to write down real historical characters in order to make places and convenient narratives for his fictional characters. Alfred is an example. In one of his early battles, he identified and led the assault on the Vikings, while the King (his elder brother) was still (according to the record) was at his prayers. The idea that a man could not be pious and also a warrior simply isn’t true. There was no contradiction. Poetic licence it might be, but it’s not good history.

[@peterlovett5841]

It's a novel - not history.

[@peterwebb8732]

@ Rolling my eyes here. Yeah, it’s a novel. GOOD novels get the historical background right, and don’t have to re-write history to make their characters interesting.

[@robnewman6101]

👍

[@whya2ndaccount]

The first half was fine, then it wanders off into a review of the Author's work (e.g. King Alfred and King Henry V in a video allegedly devoted to "Wellington: Master of strategy | Great British Battle Commanders").

[@joealp8196]

Yes, and I'm 50% disappointed.

[@joealp8196]

There is no such thing as a 'military genius'. Only levels of competence; and at that Wellington was supreme.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@joealp8196 When I think of genius, it's usually commanders who mastered EVERY aspect of warfare so, tactics, strategy and logistics. There are a couple of names who come to mind, Alexander the Great, Hannibal Barca, Julius Caeser, Napoleon Bonaparte, Scipio Africanus, Subutai, the Duke of Marlborough.

[@joealp8196]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Yes, Tony, and I pretty much agree with you. Its just that I like to reserve 'genius' for minds of such peculiarity, insight and creativity that make them 'freaks of nature' in that way.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@joealp8196 True, I think WW2 also has two, the German commander who planned the conquest of France ( Manstein) and Bill Slim.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@joealp8196 Slim and Manstein in WW2 are in a high tier as well i think.

[@joealp8196]

@@Bullet-Tooth-Tony- Definitely Slim, as caring for the welfare of the troops is perhaps the first criteria. Something Napoleon fell short on.

[@darchojandreoski-b7j]

Hier der Darcho J. Gorilla Cyborg Pegasus Galaktica 7 Cyborg - Die Echtheit der Skizzen Zentrale ist das bestimmt usw.

[@jimfell7147]

Wonder what our woke citizens would make of this, no doubt they'd label Wellington a war monger etc.

[@Orbital_Inclination]

Nothing like a good cathartic moan, is there? The 'anti-woke' crowd sure do love one.

[@john_smith_john]

Does everything have to be some battle against the woke for you? So unhealthy

[@spaceskipster4412]

Yep, they seem to forget that they are always wearing their nappies while they’re whining about their ancestors…🤫🤨🤣

[@ad_astra5]

Uh, what? Us ‘woke’ people acknowledge the good and the bad of who he was and what he did.