Q&A · 1:18:11-1:18:52

Can the best Napoleonic components make the best army?

An idealized composite army still depends on whether its chosen troops and commanders can work together.

Question

Would combining the strongest arms, logistics and commanders from different Napoleonic armies create the ideal force?

Short answer

Only if the selected people can cooperate, because individual excellence does not guarantee an effective command team.

Notes

The proposed composite army includes French artillery, Portuguese and British infantry, and British logistics under Wellington and Blücher. Other armies also contain good troops, and other generals deserve consideration. There is doubt that Wellington and Blücher would make the best command partnership. Choosing an ideal army therefore requires people who can work together, even when each component looks attractive in isolation.