Subduing the European Powers: Austerlitz–Jena–Auerstadt–Friedland, 1805–07

There is abundant evidence that in 1805 (at least until July) Napoleon intended to invade England. The best proof is that he planned to challenge the Royal Navy in the English Channel. On that subject, Admiral John Jervis, Earl of St Vincent, had said: “Buonaparte may cross the channel, but it will not be by sea.” But Bonaparte had appointed Admiral Pierre-Charles de Villeneuve to execute (in 1805) a grand naval strategy (see p. 123 and p. 124) to clear the channel for his invasion. ¹ Napoleon's Armée d'Angleterre, soon to be the Grande Armée, had other uses. But he had spent money and blood (in drownings and accidents) practicing with thousands of boats and barges acquired to carry the invasion force.