1986 · printed slide 33

Napoleon’s art of war

Revolutionary army gifts to Napoleon

  • Moral and physical energy of citizen-soldiers and new leaders generated by the revolution and magnified by successes against invading allied armies.
  • Subdivision of army into smaller self-contained but mutually supporting units (divisions).
  • Ability to travel light and live-off countryside without extensive baggage, many supply wagons, and slow-moving resupply efforts.
  • Rapid march associated with “120” instead of the standard “70” steps per minute.
  • Discontinued adherence to 1791 Drill Regulations pertaining to the well regulated and stereotype use of column and line formations for movement and fighting.

Beneficial asymmetry

Mobility/fluidity of force dramatically better than that possessed by potential adversaries.

? — Raises question — ?

How did Napoleon exploit this superior mobility/fluidity of force?

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