Evening star., 1940-08-25
IS HITLER INVASION A BLUFF?
Lloyd George Recalls Nopoeon's Tactics
By David Lloyd George.

troops and material across the seas
which separate Britain from the CONT
nent The result so far of the fighting
which has taken place has tended to
justify the estimate formed by the
prophets as to obstacles to invasion.
In reading the other day Bourriennes
memoirs of Napoleon, came on signifi-
cant passage which has bearing upon
Napoleon's anticipations of the nature
of the difficulties which he would have TO
encounter in his descent on our shores,
and are worth transcribing at this mo-
ment.
1t is contended by Napoieon's admirers
that his threat of invasion of England
and his elaborate preparations for carry
ing it out were merely feint in order
to cover up his intention of launching a
great offensive in another quarter. There
is some justification for this idea in a
conversation recorded by Bourrienne be-
tween himself and his chief.
Losses Too Great for Success.
When the project was first mooted,
Napoleon sent for his famous secretary
and addressing him in the most good
humored way inquired, What do they
say of my preparations for descent upon
England?'" Bourrienne replied, There
is great difference of opinion on the
subject. Every one speaks as he would
wish it."
On his expressing his own opinion as
being adverse to the idea. Napoleon re-
piled, You are right. Those who be-
lieve in the descent are blockheads. They
do not see the affair in its true light. I
can doubtless land with 100000 men. A
great battle will be fought which 1 shall
gain, but must count upon 10000 men
killed. wounded or taken prisoners.
If I march on London second battle
will be fought. I shall suppose myself
again victorious. but what shall do in
London with an army reduced three
fourths and without hope of reinforce.
ments? 1t would be madness. Until our
navy acquires superiority, it would be a
perilous project. The great assemblace
of troops in the north has another
object"
Same Obstacles There Today.
That was the first time Napoleon
seemed to play with the idea of descent
upon England" AS will be recollected.
he renewed his plan in 1904, and in 1905
ne massed troops and prepared barges
to carry his army across the Channel.
Probably by that time he had made up
his mind to give the scheme trial. and
if he found conditions were propitious
he no doubt intended to make the at.
tempt.
But 1t is very interesting and signifi-
cant to note that his first Impressions
OF the feasibility of such an operation
were that it was entirely impracti able.
The first instincts of genius are often the
soundest. Second thoughts are too often
shaped by its desires. The difficulties
which he foresaw are in substance
equally operative today.
Napoleon came to the conclusion he
would probably succeed In landing on
the shores Of England an army Of 100000
men, which in those days would be re-
garded as a very considerable one. His
army was the finest in Europe and it had
uAAoooceC0Ay tAiC slCdtcoI MILITARY genius
Of the age at its head.
There was no country in Europe that
could produce force which could sue
cessfully resist the onset of Napoleons
Grande Armee. He nevertheless realized
it was not enough to land such an army
on English soil; it was necessary to have
a continuous supply of reinforcements to
enable it to fulfill its purpose. The hun
dred thousand of Napoleon would today
be an insignificant force.
As Mr.. Churchill in his remarkable
speech pointed out, the Germans, If they
landed, would be faced with an army
which in the aggregate numbers 1000, 900
men, hundreds of thousands of them now
well trained and equipped and with ex-
perience in war. To make good, the
Germans would have to attack this coun.
(See LLOYD GEORGE, Page C-3J