How did Horatio Nelson win the battle of Trafalgar?

Question: How did Horatio Nelson win the battle of Trafalgar!?

against Napoleon Bonaparte Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Nelson went against the conventional tactics of the time by cutting through the enemy's lines!. Nelson was noted for his ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Despite being outnumbered (and in theory also outgunned) by the combined French and Spanish fleet, Nelson relied on his officers' and crews' superior skill and training to execute a manoeuvre that would 'decapitate' the enemy fleet, cutting off its van to lee while his ships dealt with the remaining two thirds of the enemy force!.

Nelson held the weather gauge (the wind blew from him to the enemy) and the training and shiphandling of his crews were greatly superior to most of his opponents!. This enabled him to draw up a two-column battle formation the first column of which he led to cut through the Franco-Spanish fleet about a third of the way down; the second column, led by Admiral Collingwood, would cut through about a third of the way from the rear, and the British ships would then subdue their opponents with superior close-range gunnery (firing two against one where possible) before the Franco-Spanish van could struggle back to the battle against the wind!.

Nelson's plan worked and worked well because of the good quality and training of his officers and crews and the highly variable officer and crew quality among his opponents, who had extreme difficulty simply keeping station!. He broke Villeneuve's line in two places, after enduring about half an hour of hot but not very damaging fire from the French and Spanish ships!. The British ships mainly held their fire until they passed astern or ahead of an enemy ship, then loosed a devastating broadside at 10 to 30 yards range!. After that, the battle became a series of individual combats with the more manoeuvrable British ships teaming up against isolated opponents and forcing their surrender!.

As Nelson had anticipated, the Franco-Spanish van was unable to close before the main action had been decided!. HMS Africa, acting on her captain's initiative, delayed the enemy van by engaging it independently and so helped to ensure that Nelson's plan worked successfully!.

In essence, Nelson won by knowing the capabilities of his ships and his opponents, and using his advantages to bite off a section of the enemy fleet that he could subdue before the rest could return against the wind to help them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

History seem to credit Nelson's victory to a tactic known as the "Nelson Touch" (see Source 1), though the unorthodox (and risky) tactic is actually debatable!. Nelson's eccentric style of leadership is also credited!. However, the British Navy (being a island nation) is generally better trained and disciplined than its French counterpart!.

Furthermore, British admirals at the time were "encouraged" to do their utmost, the punishment for defeat was usually execution!. (see Source 2 on the court martial and execution of Admiral John Byng)!.

As Voltaire later remarked in his work Candide: "in this country [England], it is wise to kill an admiral from time to time to encourage the others"
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