The coat worn by Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar. You can see the hole in the left shoulder caused by the shot that killed him

    by fuck_ur_portmanteau

    14 Comments

    1. fuck_ur_portmanteau on

      He was shot about 1pm, the shot went through his lung and into his spine. He died about 5pm once he knew the battle was won.

    2. How the hell did a shoulder shot in the spot that xan be seen here pierce his lung and spine

    3. Another random to add, if you go to Windsor Castle you can see the actual bullet on display in the Royal Collection.

    4. Hero. Mad fact that hitler’s invasion plans of the UK should they have been successful included bringing Nelson’s column to Berlin.

    5. Policy of the Royal Navy at the time was officers shouldn’t hide or seek cover during the operation (especially the opening) of a battle. As they need to be visible for the crew.

      Trafalgar was overall part of a different strategy of war for navy combat. Instead of the more traditional “form lines and shoot from range” Nelson was a fan of total war CQC. He ordered a full head on engagement ( ships unable to fire from the front, head on literally meaning walking into enemy fire for nearly an hour given how slow ships moved). This strategy worked, given British superiority at gunnery.

      However, Nelson knew it would be a very dangerous approach and decided that if he was to order such a move he’d have to lead it. HMS Victory ( Nelson’s flag ship) was battered by the approach, Nelson dying from a marksmen shot from the birds nest. But the victory itself was very heavily damaged.

      Final detail – Many of Nelson’s close aids and captains had asked that he remove his jacket to be less obvious, so not to become a target. He refused, he wanted everyone at the battle to know it was Nelson that was leading, and Nelson they were fighting.

      His final words upon heading they had achieved total victory “ Now am I satisfied, thank god i have done my duty”

    6. twatsmaketwitts on

      Just finished the latest Rest is History series on this, so this is great timing for me. Dominic wasn’t joking when he kept mentioning the gaudiness.

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