Why returning officers alone would not transform the French fleet

Would the French fleet have fought differently if its pre-Revolutionary officers were still available?

Their experience would have helped, but sustained sea time and higher proficiency across the fleet would have mattered more.

Experienced officers lost during the Revolution would have helped the French fleet. Sustained sea time for ships, sailors, and command teams would have mattered more. Individual expertise cannot instantly create collective proficiency across a fleet. Trafalgar therefore illustrates institutional readiness rather than a contest decided only by famous commanders.