What would have happened if Napoleon...
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Theoretical
Puritan Board Professor
What would have happened if Napoleon had a B-52 at the battle of Waterloo?
Hey, considering the number of inane theonomy threads that are active, why not this question?
Good of you to lighten up things around here.
This is a great question.
1. Napoleon was undoubtedly a military genius and led a revolution in military affairs through his masterful use of artillery (aka Combined Arms) as well as the raising of the Grand Armée and organizing it around Corps commanders.
2. One could conclude that he was great at integrating a military technology and would have quickly seen the utility in integrating a powerful military arm.
BUT...
I think it would have failed.
3. The Air Force would have been too busy doing more important "strategic" bombing to support the ground units at Waterloo in some tactical battle. Even Napoleon would have had difficulty convincing his FFACC (French Forces Air Component Commander) that a tactical engagement was worth diverting precious bomber assets to.
1. Napoleon was undoubtedly a military genius and led a revolution in military affairs through his masterful use of artillery (aka Combined Arms) as well as the raising of the Grand Armée and organizing it around Corps commanders.
2. One could conclude that he was great at integrating a military technology and would have quickly seen the utility in integrating a powerful military arm.
BUT...
I think it would have failed.
3. The Air Force would have been too busy doing more important "strategic" bombing to support the ground units at Waterloo in some tactical battle. Even Napoleon would have had difficulty convincing his FFACC (French Forces Air Component Commander) that a tactical engagement was worth diverting precious bomber assets to.
You didn't mention if Napolean also had trained pilots, gas and bullets for his plane.
If Napoleon had to lug a gasless B 52 to the battlefield this would have also diverted precious assets.
Also, is there a sufficient runway for taking off and landing or will this be the first and last flight for this lonely bird?
If Napoleon had to lug a gasless B 52 to the battlefield this would have also diverted precious assets.
Also, is there a sufficient runway for taking off and landing or will this be the first and last flight for this lonely bird?
Abd_Yesua_alMasih
Puritan Board Junior
I thought you could just lug it out onto the battlefield and use its body as armour to hide inside (knock out firing positions) while your soldier stood up and could shoot from safety. If they actually tried to fly it they would probably bomb themselves or something.
kvanlaan
Puritan Board Doctor
Um , just my poor military knowledge at work here, but looking at early 19th century warfare and the relative proximity of the two armies, wouldn't a carpet-bombing B-52 be fairly good at simply annihilating both Napoleon and Wellington along with everyone else in the area (unless you are looking at bombing supply lines)?
I think I just spent waaaay too much time thinking about this...
I think I just spent waaaay too much time thinking about this...
Okay...let's assume here at our military roundtable that Napoleon had one full load of ordinance, ample fuel supply and one operational runway outside of Paris. He also had trained pilots and crew.
Here is how Napoleon you use the B-52 tactically:
1. Release two 500 pound bombs directly into the British position. Do this in broad daylight after making a low level fly-by. The British need to see the B-52 and be frightened.
2. After the initial attack, ride to the British under a flag of truce and tell them that you have a new secret weapon that can fly and drop bombs on them. It can even fly to London and drop bombs on their capitol city. See how this card plays out.
3. If the British do not surrender the field, make another B-52 flight. This time drop napalm at the tree level. Chances are very good that the British forces are encamped behind the trees for cover. This attack should have a
deleterious effect on the British forces.
4. Give a 24 hour ultimatum for surrender or you will leash a full aerial attack. Wait for a response.
5. If the British surrender, you've won. If they reject the call for surrender you must now put up or shut up. I suggest an artillery assault that will force the British to freeze. Then drop more napalm from the B-52. While the British lines are engulfed in flame, launch a full ground assault. The confused British will not be able to respond adequately.
Here is how Napoleon you use the B-52 tactically:
1. Release two 500 pound bombs directly into the British position. Do this in broad daylight after making a low level fly-by. The British need to see the B-52 and be frightened.
2. After the initial attack, ride to the British under a flag of truce and tell them that you have a new secret weapon that can fly and drop bombs on them. It can even fly to London and drop bombs on their capitol city. See how this card plays out.
3. If the British do not surrender the field, make another B-52 flight. This time drop napalm at the tree level. Chances are very good that the British forces are encamped behind the trees for cover. This attack should have a
deleterious effect on the British forces.
4. Give a 24 hour ultimatum for surrender or you will leash a full aerial attack. Wait for a response.
5. If the British surrender, you've won. If they reject the call for surrender you must now put up or shut up. I suggest an artillery assault that will force the British to freeze. Then drop more napalm from the B-52. While the British lines are engulfed in flame, launch a full ground assault. The confused British will not be able to respond adequately.
BUt if the B52 was nonflyable, and the men used the B 52 as merely a defensive cover, they could not advance to take the field without first lugging this huge beast forward. And, the enemy could easily shut up the men inside so that this non-flying fortress could be a prison or a death trap.
If the B 52 were non flying, they could dismantle the metal and armor their men better. But this would also reduce mobility.
If their were no runways and the B52 only had one mission to fly with a fully equipped and trained crew, a strategic retreat and a carpet bombing could ensue...and then this bird could make for the coast and bomb Wellington's ships too... but where would the bird land?
If the B 52 were non flying, they could dismantle the metal and armor their men better. But this would also reduce mobility.
If their were no runways and the B52 only had one mission to fly with a fully equipped and trained crew, a strategic retreat and a carpet bombing could ensue...and then this bird could make for the coast and bomb Wellington's ships too... but where would the bird land?
Timothy William
Puritan Board Junior
Remove the machine guns, place them on horse drawn gun carriages (or whatever they used to move cannons around). These should be enough to win the war by themselves. Then slowly and carefully strip the rest of the plane and have France's best scientists and engineers try to understand how the various components work. Starting from the most basic mechanical design and moving up to the electronics (does the B 52 have early computer systems onboard?) there would be enough technological treasure to keep the busy for a century or so.
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