Napoleon- A Military Genius
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You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war.
The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.
One of the world's greatest military geniuses, Napoleon Bonaparte, a man whose name has become synonymous with a conqueror. He was a tactician and strategist ahead of his times, a general with a keen sense of observation.
During the Siege of Toulon in 1793, Napoleon then a young captain still in the French Army, made the most effective use of artillery. He managed to get in 100 guns for the forces from surrounding areas, compelled retired artillery officers to re-enlist. He however had to capture the seemingly impregnable Allied forts, on the hills of Cairo, that surrounded Toulon. Not satisfied with the lone battery called the "Mountain" he established another on the shores called sans-culottes. And he later set up "Jacobin" on the ridge of L'Escevat, and another 2 batteries "Men Without Fear" and "Chasse Coquins". 2 other batteries The Great Harbor and 4 Windmills were set up to repel the Allied ships. The combined assault, ensured that the Allies had to beat back, and the British general O'Hara was captured. A midnight assault began on the seemingly impregnable Little Gibraltar and soon it was captured.
During the Royalist uprising at Vendemiarie, Napoleon had to oversee the forces of Paul Barras, who was defending the Republican Convention against an uprising. He agreed on one condition that he would have total freedom of movement, this in fact would be a regular feature of his campaigns. He sent one of his Lieutnants Joachim Murat to Sablon and return with the 40 cannon back to Paris, and the latter managed to do in time. This would be a crucial decision, as inspite of the fact that the Republicans were outnumbered by the Royalists, the usage of cannons and grapeshot cut them down ruthlessly. The combined assault of the grapeshot and volleys from the Republican forces, ensured the Royalists were scattered and the uprising was ruthlessly put down.
One of the main tactics of Napoleon Bonaparte was the Manoeuvre De Derrière basically move on to the rear. He would place the French Army directly across the enemy's line of communications, and force his opponent to confront directly. If the opponent attempted to escape, the army in the rear would cut off the advance, surrounding from all sides. When the opponent would try to stablize their reserves, he would immediately outflank and mass his reserves, leaving them totally helpless.
He used the Gribeauval guns, which were much lighter than the ordinary cannons. As he insisted on speed and maneovurablity in the battle field, these Gribeauval guns ensured more flexibility. He also ensured the army had a regular stock of cannon balls, grape shots, furnace shots, which gave an advantage over the opponents. He also made effective use of the cannons during sea battles, his flagship LÓrient equipped with 120 guns the world's heaviest armed vessel.
"Loss of time is irreparable in war.. I may lose a battle but I should never lose a minute" was what he often quoted. Napoleon insisted on fast speed, lightning strikes, that would take the opponents by surprise. He did away with slow moving supply lines and bought in an independent corps system, and even regarding food, he ensured that the surrounding environment gave it. So either he would forage among the residents for food or bribe off friendly nations, either way he ensured his soldiers would never fight on an empty stomach.