WARFARE IN NAPOLEONIC ERA IS FUNDAMENTALLY SIMILAR TO MODERN WARFARE

Outline:

Warfare in the Napoleonic era is fundamentally similar to warfare as it is practiced today

Napoleon used offensive strategies and this gave him an upper hand

He surprised his enemies by attacking when they least expected it
He exhausted his enemies by pursuing them continuously

Napoleon concentrated on implementing doctrine and formulating strategy

He changed his strategies and tactics for every battle
He concentrated on securing his troops to prevent surprise from the enemy

He implemented operational art, strategies and tactics of war

Napoleon understood the importance of knowledge

He read many diverse books about war, politics, and geography
He sent agents to different countries to collect information

Napoleon established structured formations

He had many soldiers and he had to find a way of controlling them
He introduced divisions, ranks, and brigades

Napoleon Bonaparte is highly regarded today because of his influence in warfare. His clear understanding and knowledge of warfare and his ability to motivate his soldiers made him a great success. He was a positive influence on the soldiers who fought and worked alongside him, as well as an effective strategist. Napoleon was creative and his ingenious ways of strategizing made him triumphant. He accomplished a lot during his time, as he was able to win many battles. Many admired him while others feared him on an equal measure. Although he did not certainly create or innovate many of the strategies he used in battle, he found a way of using them to his advantage. Napoleon’s unique methods of fighting and his resourcefulness influenced the other wars that followed. Napoleon showed that winning a war is not just a matter of physical strength, but that it requires resourcefulness and creative thinking. Many modern armies recognize this today and they place strategy as their most essential component.

Napoleon Bonaparte was creative and he was a genius at implementing doctrine. His tactical and logistic organization of the army is similar to today’s concept of warfare. Napoleon learnt how to use different strategies for missions. He changed the principles he applied in war, making it difficult for his enemies to know his next moves. Napoleon did not bother much with military inventions. He used the strategies and weapons that were already available.[1] He chose to concentrate on finding better ways of defeating his enemies. The current understanding of warfare has changed since napoleon’s time. However, the essential elements of humans and weapons remain. Napoleon achieved great success during his time. He won many battles against different countries in Europe. He was able to influence many people to join the army. Napoleon recognized the importance of speed and time in battle. He required his army to march quickly and he set goals on the length that the soldiers could cover daily.

Securing supplies and troops are essential battle components and they can determine success or defeat in battle. Napoleon understood this and he ensured there was sufficient security.[2] He made sure that his army was secure to prevent any surprise from the enemy. Napoleon showed the importance of attack positions in warfare. He would attack his enemies by surrounding them and ensuring that they had no chance of escape. The situation today has changed. Countries have increased their security and boundary surveillance. This has made it more challenging for enemies to surround a region. However, militaries continue to strike at different points. They use methods such as police raids, information and cyber warfare, as well as guerilla tactics. This is attacking at multiple points. Militaries understand the importance of information in the modern era. Therefore, their decision to attack the enemies’ communication points is one of the most effective strategies in modern warfare.

The use of offensive strategies gave him an upper hand, as he was able to surprise his enemies. He ensured that he was a step ahead of the enemy by anticipating their moves. He was able to gain a tactical advantage by appearing when he was least expected. His adversaries were unprepared for his arrival, and he took advantage of this to surprise them. He surrounded them from all angles leaving them no room to flee. He would end up taking many prisoners in the process. Napoleon believed in pursuing his enemies. He trailed and chased them even when they thought that he had given up. He would often chase and fight his enemies even in extreme weather conditions.[3] Modern militaries today recognize the importance of being offensive, as this gives them a greater advantage. They have an upper hand because they have sufficient time. They can find new and creative ways of attacking the enemy and realizing success. Those who wait to react are at a disadvantage because they do not have time to study the enemy. Successive modern warfare involves continuous pursuit of the enemy.

Napoleon understood the importance of operational art, tactics and strategies in times of war. He knew that the leader had to have a plan, which would direct his troops. He used different tactics and strategies in every battle. He understood the importance of organization and he took advantage of this to defeat the largely disorganized Austrian army. Modern warfare uses strategy and tactics, as well as operational art. The one leading the battle has to decide the positions of attack, arrangement of the troops, unexpected battles, and the order of the battle. Part of the requirements of effective army is good organization. Without it, the soldiers do not know what to do and they end up making mistakes and costly errors in the process. Modern militaries are organized with visible lines of command. Individuals know their responsibilities and they act on command from their leaders.

Napoleon equipped himself with knowledge. He recognized the importance of understanding the art of war. He did not just go into battle unprepared. He read historical books focusing on the subjects of wars that had happened in the past, politics, and geography. He scattered men throughout the countries he was interested in, as a way of gathering information.[4] He used the spies to gather the intelligence reports he needed and he would study and analyze the information thoroughly. Napoleon probably perfected the art of methodical and tactical planning. He would examine all possibilities and he did not leave anything to chance. He would accumulate all the information he could get on his adversaries as well as on the geography of the place where the battle was to take place. He would think about all the possible actions that his enemies would make. This enabled him to conduct thorough preparation for battle.

Modern warfare has invested a lot in intelligence gathering. Militaries spend a lot of money to secure information regarding their enemies. They invest in technologies to ensure that they are able to get all the information they can get. This is the essence of modern warfare as it gives militaries an advantage over their enemies. They are able to know what their enemies are planning and this enables them to make the right decisions. Modern militaries will do whatever they can to ensure that they gain all the advantage. They will work with spies who will give them all the information they need. They will send people over to examine their enemies location and their resources and this will enable them to gauge their capabilities and their level of preparedness.

Napoleon introduced and developed military structured formations. This allowed different independent groups to operate at the same time. Under Napoleon’s leadership, many people joined the army. Napoleon could not provide effective leadership using a regiment. This required him to find a way of making sure that all the people played their part during battle. He learnt the art of dividing his troops into different divisions, brigades, and corps. He placed trusted commanders to head the corps and he ensured that every formation had adequate resources. Individual army corps could handle operations independently and they could support each other, as they each had adequate artillery, cavalry, and infantry.[5] Militaries do not fight together as a single group but they divide into several units with each having responsibilities and areas of action. Militaries use different formations, some of which include brigades and divisions. The units reinforce each other depending on the intensity of the battle. Modern military organizations have changed significantly. They have introduced more formations, redefined the idea of units, and they use modern technological weapons. However, their use of formations reflects Napoleon’s influence.

Napoleon changed the perception and understanding of the army. The previous understanding of the army was that it existed to serve the monarchy’s interest. Napoleon made the army a national and public affair. He encouraged the local people to join and fight for their countries. This increased the size of the army. Napoleon made it possible for people from different backgrounds to join the army ranks. The position for officers was not reserved for nobility but anyone who showed merit could attain that position. This increased the troop’s loyalty to the army. The soldiers felt a sense of belonging and this encouraged them. He was an influential leader who was able to motivate his soldiers to go to battle irrespective of their limitation. He was able to increase the available resources once many people felt the need to join the army. Today, people have a different understanding of the army. They believe that it is the right of the army to protect their interests and their country from foreign invasion. The army does not just exist for a select few but it exists for everybody’s sake. Anyone who is interested in joining the army can do so irrespective of his/her status and position in the society. The soldiers attain their rank based on their potential, capability, and experience. People who have joined the military are dedicated to their country. They are loyal and they believe that they are serving the best interests of their country. Every year, the government sets aside a substantial amount on its budget for military spending.

The modern understanding of warfare has changed significantly since the nineteenth century. Technological advancements and increase in knowledge has necessitated such changes. However, there is a lot of Napoleonic influence still visible today. Today, militaries continue employing formations, which make it easier for them to operate and to use resources more effectively. They understand the importance of logistics and strategies before and during war. Information gathering is especially important, as it gives one an advantage over the enemy. Many militaries today recognize the importance of strategic thought. Although having the best weaponry in the market is important, it will not be effective if the people do not understand how they can use it strategically to give them more control. Perhaps the greatest influence still visible today is the understanding of the army. People join the army because they want to serve and protect their nation. They are not just interested in protecting the interest of an individual. This has increased loyalty among the soldiers.

Bibliography

Caldwell R. Douglas Ehlen, Judy and Harmon, S. Russell. Studies in Military Geography and Geology. New York: Springer, 2005

Gray, Colin. Strategy for Chaos: Revolutions in Military Affairs and the Evidence of History. New York: Routledge, 2004

Stone, John. The Tank Debate: Armour and the Anglo-American Military Tradition. Psychology Press, 2000

Vego, N. Milan. Joint Operational Warfare: Theory and Practice. Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 2009

Wawro, Geoffrey. Warfare and Society in Europe, 1792- 1914. New York: Routledge, 2002

[1] Colin Gray, Strategy for Chaos: Revolutions in Military Affairs and the Evidence of History (New York: Routledge, 2004), 125

[2] Milan N. Vego, Joint Operational Warfare: Theory and Practice (Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 2009), XG-20

[3] Geoffrey Wawro, Warfare and Society in Europe, 1792- 1914 (New York: Routledge, 2002), 10

[4] Milan N. Vego, Joint Operational Warfare: Theory and Practice (Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 2009), XG-20

[5] Douglas R. Caldwell, Judy Ehlen, and Russell S. Harmon, Studies in Military Geography and Geology (New York: Springer, 2005), 42

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