"Napoleon Bonaparte's Peak of Military Success: Ulm..." Topic

… and Austerlitz.

"Napoleon Bonaparte is considered one of the greatest military minds in the history of warfare. When Napoleon Bonaparte launched into a long series of wars known as the "Napoleonic Wars" with Europe in 1799, he was determined to extend the territorial boundaries of France and its revolutionary borders. Historians view the "Napoleonic Wars" as a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, which had significant impact on all of Europe and revolutionized European armies. With the modern creation of mass conscription, the French Empire quickly grew, as Napoleon sought to create a universal hegemony over all of Europe. So what was the peak of Napoleon's military success during the Napoleonic Wars? Napoleon's road to success was charted by the supreme triumphs of Ulm and Austerlitz in 1805. These battles represented a strategic turning point for the French, and demonstrated the supreme military might of the French Empire and strategic genius of Napoleon Bonaparte. These two battles represent the climax of Napoleon's success, and signify his continued efforts to expand his empire further into Europe.

After failing to carry out his planned invasion of England in 1803-1805, Napoleon led his Grand Armee from the English Channel to the Rhine in order to deal with new threats there.1 The Prussians were mobilizing quickly, the Russians were only a few weeks away from the central European theater, and Austrian forces were within striking distance of Napoleon and his Grand Armee. Napoleon knew he needed to defeat the Austrian force if he was to stand a chance against the entire coalition. An Austrian victory could delay the French until the Russians arrived, prolonging the war and increasing the likelihood that Prussia would enter the war. However, a French victory would defeat the Austrians, scare the Prussians, and leave only the Russians to deal with.

The Austrian Army had about 59,000 Infantry and 13,000 Calvary ready to meet the French.2 Napoleon had about 170,000 Infantry and 38,000 Calvary.3 As they prepared for battle, Napoleon deployed the majority of his army along the Rhine River, while the fifth corps and cavalry deploy behind the Black Forest. Austrian General Karl Mack deployed west of Ulm and awaited a Russian army numbering 100,000 that was slowly marching west. As he deployed his troops, Bonaparte made plans to circle the Austrians to prevent any link up with the Russians. Napoleon noticed that he had misdirected his enemy's attention and was now playing on General Mack's expectations of a French Invasion through the Black Forest in Southern Germany. As part of that expectation, Napoleon sent his brother-in-law, General Marshall Joachim Murat, with his Calvary into the Black Forest. Napoleon knew that creating a diversion would confuse his enemy and give him the upper-hand in battle. As Murat's cavalry approached the Black Forest they began to blow trumpets and act like the main army, while preventing Austrian patrol forces from breaking up the brigade. Fifth corps stood by just in case this force came under direct attack by General Mack. Napoleon then ordered the rest of his men towards the Danube River to cut off Mack's retreat.4 Each brigade was given a specific and exact location, but was allowed to reach their destination anyway they saw fit. However, the forces were careful not to overlap paths on the battlefield. This brilliant strategy can be given credit to Napoleon's Maxim "separate to live, unite to fight."…"
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Armand

I disagree that the 1805 Ulm & Austerlitz Campaign was the "Peak of Military Success" – Ulm & Austerlitz were indeed triumphs but personally I think the absolute military peak came in the Autumn of 1806 after the crushing of Prussia in the Jena & Auerstadt Campaign and the devastating pursuit that followed.

I would agree. The Jena campaign was the pinnacle of operational and strategic success of the period. Not only was the Prussian army destroyed, but the Prussian state as well.

And the pursuit after Jena is the most successful and unrelenting of the period.

Another vote for the Jena campaign, much as I admire Austerlitz, a successful pursuit of a beaten foe is a very challenging thing (underlined by how infrequently it has been achieved through the ages).

Of course, the glow doesn't last long, and with Eylau the next year I would argue that Napoleons long road to his end had started. That is just my thought though :)

Interesting thought, but Friedland was just as decisive as Austerlitz or Jena.

AGree!!

Amicalement
Armand

I think Wagram should certainly be considered as a peak, considering it was another brilliant come-back victory after his earlier defeat at Aspern-Essling. The victory basically knocked the stuffing out of Austria who were no longer an opponent until after the 1812 disaster.