The Battle of Copenhagen is when Lord Nelson famously ignored an order to retreat. He held his telescope up to his blind eye and declared that he couldn’t see the order, and then he kept on fighting and won.
It should be noted that the order to retreat was actually half-hearted — it would have allowed Nelson to retreat with honor if he felt it wise to do so. But there was an expectation that Nelson might do exactly what he ended up doing. Nelson was a fighter.
It was also a sneak attack, which took out the Danish Fleet, while Denmark and Britain were at peace, without a prior declaration of war.
If Japan had won WW2, or even got the draw it more realistically hoped for, a statute of Admiral Yamamoto would stand atop a column in Tokyo, as Nelson does in London.
Guys, I just read “For God And Glory - Lord Nelson and His Way of War” by Joel Hayward. Fascinating dive into what made Nelson tick. Interesting review/analysis of his upbringing, his core beliefs, his failings and his triumphs.
The Copenhagen attack was one of his three great victories. And while parts of it were unexpected, it was not a huge surprise to the Danes.
I’m glad they found this ship. I have visited the Swedish museum for the ill-fated Vasa some years ago. Maybe the Danes will do something similar for this ship.