Wellington - The Iron Duke 3 5/5

Wellington - The Iron Duke 3 5/5

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Duke
• Wellington
• Richard
• Holmes
• War
• Waterloo
• Battle
• India
• Spain
• Peninsular
• Arthur
• Wellesley
• Napoleon
• British
• Army
• France

[spinynorman230]

God bless Wellington, we really should have a holiday in his honor!

[ruddytechnik]

Richard Holmes has a fine and pleasant narrating style. This was wonderful to watch. It makes me a proud Brit, that this remote island off mainland europe achieved so much in so many different spheres - and all of it by "the blood and brains of brave men". Its greatest times must be in its instrumental role in the defeat of europe's worst dictators Napolean and Hitler. But, the greatest threats to liberty are always within, and today its socialist indoctrination by media & buraeucratic state.

[Legolordwellington]

@vicosu Well, actually, Wellington also came from next to nothing. His siblings and his mother saw no future in him except the army. Also, Wellington was the outnumbered one at Waterloo. His army numbered about 60,000 and about 150 guns versus about 70,000 french troops and 250 guns. And only about 25,000 of Wellington's troops were British regulars

[MrDeano324]

@asgaard636, Yeah. He was the best I have ever seen. Such a shame about his death earlier this year. A great man, historian, and ex solider. Going to miss his enthrawling documentaries and gripping novels.

[asgaard636]

I've never seen a better done documentary- This is the 1st time I've seen Professor Holmes- He knows his stuff and how to present it! Top Drawer!

[bxjam85]

@ruddytechnik I agree with everything you said except for the part about Napoleon.

[bxjam85]

Modern democratic politicians should feel ashamed when in the shadow of rulers of the noble, aristocratic type.

[SailingMoominmama]

Excellent series, made clear many things that were hard to follow in Holmes' biography of Wellington.  Especially enjoyed the visits to the battlefields!

[vicosu]

Russia never gets the credit for all these wars which they effectively won by ultimately inflicting the mortal wound, Napoleonic wars French were really defeated after their folly in Russia where 500000 French died. and WW2 and the battle of Britain, it was only a matter of time before Britain capitulated to the Nazi war machine, are the British any better than the french, The germans were absolutely the most advanced military in the world. Hitlers biggest mistake was engaging the USSR.

[vicosu]

And Waterloo was not as decisive as people think what really finished off Napoleon was his disastrous campaign in Russia, in which Napoleon lost of 500000 men. the french never recovered from this and it made them vulnerable, and ultimately they lost the war. Russia won the Napoleonic wars just as they did WW2, the nazis lost on the war on eastern front, if it wasnt for USSR in the east Normandy would have been more heavily defended. Britain could have never beat Germany, the overran Europe.

[vicosu]

Napoleon is greater than wellington, napoleon came from nothing to become emperor of the french and dominate most of europe, wellington was born into it, Wellington could have never beat a Napoleon in his prime, the Napoleon at Waterloo was desperate, and seriously outnumbered, Napoleon is one of the greatest military leaders alongside Julius Caesar, and Alexander, Wellington is not even in his league, if you want to talk about British commanders then there is only one Lord Nelson

[rafflesman]

Yes, a British national holiday for him is a great idea