Trafalgar Battle

The Battle of Trafalgar is a landmark event that ended the long conflict between England and France, a conflict called the "second hundred-year war".

In 1805, the leading land power in Europe was the army of the French Empire , headed by Napoleon. And at sea the main force was the British Royal Navy, which introduced a naval blockade in France, affecting its trade and the mobilization of naval forces. Despite several successful campaigns, the French failed to break through the blockade. And then Napoleon switched to the same policy by establishing a continental blockade, which forbids all dependent countries from trading with the UK. This, in turn, disrupted the connection of the British Isles with Europe.

This was the military-political situation in this part of the world, it was with such preconditions that the Battle of Trafalgar took place.

Napoleon knew perfectly well that England was the main obstacle to his conquest plans. In parallel, he developed the capture of Malta, Corsica, Corfu - islands that belonged to his opponent and were strategically important base bases.

The Battle of Trafalgar is a historic battle between the French-Spanish and English naval forces. It began in October 1805 on the coast of the Spanish Atlantic near Cape Trafalgar, by whose name it was named.

Not limited to his plans to capture the English colonies, Napoleon intended to land a large landing in the territory of the Foggy Albion, and called the preparations for this operation a "Boulogne expedition."

Actually, this is how the Battle of Trafalgar began, the English Channel was literally teeming with French warships, which distracted the attention of the British fleet.

In this sea battle, which became decisive in the second hundred-year war, France and its ally Spain lost more than twenty frigates, while there were no losses of military equipment from the British side at all. However, it was the Battle of Trafalgar that put an end to the heroic life of British Vice Admiral Nelson. After this battle, his legendary name became a symbol of British naval power.

The joint fleet of Spain and France was commanded by a Frenchman by nationality, Admiral Pierre Villeneuve.

The English squadron blocked the French-Spanish squadron. Admiral Villeneuve received from Napoleon an order to break through the encirclement and break out into the waters of the Mediterranean to reunite with the Spanish detachment there. However, contrary to the Admiral Council, Villeneuve adhered to the old one-liner tactics. He built the French-Spanish fleet in one line.

Trafalgar battle was accompanied by a strong wind that worked in favor of the British: a strong current made it difficult for the coalition vessels to move. Nelson, without hesitation, took advantage of the given chance and tore the chain of ships, sending the fastest of them forward. French and Spanish frigates were scattered.

Legend has it that the Battle of Trafalgar began with the moment when Vice Admiral Nelson solemnly hoisted a flag signal in his flagship "Victoria", meaning: "England expects that every soldier will fulfill his duty." This phrase has remained forever in the minds of the British, years after the end of the battle, it is often cited and paraphrased.

The Battle of Trafalgar became an integral part of the Third Coalition war and one of the most significant maritime confrontations of the nineteenth century. And the victory of England only confirmed the water superiority of this country, established in the XVIII century. After his defeat, Napoleon abandoned an aggressive plan of attack on southern England, in exchange for starting a war against other major forces in Europe: Austria and Russia.