1805: Napoleon's Invasion of England

1805. Napoleon’s plan to invade England failed, when his navy was defeated at Trafalgar and unable to take command of the English Channel. A ship from Nelson’s fleet carrying despatches spotted the French on the way to Brest and warned the Admiralty in London. But what might have happened if they had not been spotted? What if Admiral Villeneuve had taken control of the channel for long enough to allow the invasion fleet to sail? Would the military genius of Napoleon have triumphed and allowed him to conquer those damp islands off his coast? What if other attacks on the British Isles had been made? What would have happened back in France with the Emperor across the sea and out of touch? What if Wellington had been appointed to command the defence? What if …?

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