Battle of Rivoli Jan 14, 1797 – Jan 15, 1797

Cauldron - A Military History Podcast

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3+ y ago 50:43

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No general can say they will use the central position, and therefore, they will win. There is no plug and play preset list of maneuvers to fit all circumstances that guarantee victory. Victory relies on much more, and Napoleon understood that. His ability to sense the enemy's intention and force them to act against their own will is spooky at times. He had an intuitive feel for combat readiness, not just with the enemy but, maybe more importantly, in his ranks. His innate understanding of the weight and physics of battle, timing, and morale is hard to explain. The vision to see the picture, both strategic and tactical, and react with uncommon speed was unique for the time.

And beyond the general's tent and the map-room, Napoleon displayed what was probably his most remarkable traits as a leader. With a playwright's understanding of men's passions, he could give heart or strike fear with a few well-placed words. His glance, produced at the right moment to the right man, could expose a weakness or inspire courage. Like Hannibal and many others, he was a commander that lived and suffered very much with his men, at least at the beginning of his career. All these things mark Napoleon out as a uniquely gifted general. At the battle of Rivoli in mid-January 1796, we see them all come together at once, on full display for the first time in the "Little Corporal's" career.

100 Decisive Battles: From Ancient Times to the Present by Paul K. Davis
The Allure of Battle: A History of How Wars Have Been Won and Lost by Cathal J. Nolan
Masters of the Battlefield: Great Commanders From the Classical Age to the Napoleonic Era by Paul K. Davis
Strategy by B. H. Liddell Hart
The Napoleonic Wars by Gunther E. Rothenberg
The Rise Of Napoleon Bonaparte by Robert B. Asprey
Fighting Techniques of the Napoleonic Age: Equipment, Combat Skills, and Tactics by Robert B Bruce
Wars of Napoleon. West Point Military History Series by Thomas (ed). Griess
A Military History and Atlas of the Napoleonic Wars by Brig. Gen. Vincent Esposito

Music - At Launch by Kevin McCloud

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