Waterloo Jun 14-18, 1815

Strategic Context Bonaparte returns to France in February 1815, assimilating every French soldier he meets into his growing army. Bonaparte reaches Paris in March and offers peace to the opposing Allied coalition – but they choose war. Bonaparte appoints his most talented and trusted subordinate, Louis Davout, as his minister of war and begins rebuilding an army. By June, Bonaparte is able to field forces numbering over 230,000 against Allied forces of over 850,000 although the latter are dispersed and under various commands. Bonaparte deploys small, defensive armies to guard the Pyrenees, the Alps and the Rhine River against the Spanish, Italian and Austrian armies and concentrates a large, offensive army against the Anglo-Dutch and Prussian armies; the Russian armies march slowly but steadily across Europe. Bonaparte plans to destroy the Anglo-Dutch and Prussian armies before the other Allied armies can affect the situation. The French situation is not hopeless; Britain’s military is still dispersed after its war with the United States, Belgians, Germans and Poles are relatively anti-Allied while a decisive victory may force others to switch sides. Allied commander-in-chief Karl Phillipp Schwarzenberg plans an advance towards Paris by all armies on June 27 but Bonaparte strikes two weeks earlier. Stakes + A French victory would strain the Allied coalition and gain Bonaparte valuable time to build up his armies to deal with the Austrians, Russians, Italians and Spanish if need be. + An Allied victory would contain Bonaparte and demoralize the French nation, allowing the vast Allied armies to invade France.

By Jonathan Webb, 2010 © Waterloo, 1815 Strength

.Grande Armée .Allied Armies

.Napoleon Bonaparte .Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher .Duke of Wellington

.123,000 .217,000

.Well .Well By Jonathan Webb, 2010 ©

Prussian I Corps

Tirlemont Bonaparte concentratescrosses the Sambre his army but behind traffic the congestion Sambre River. and Bonapartedesertion of plans a division to organize commander his army in inGerard’s two wings IV Corps and slowa reserve the –maneuver. left under Nonetheless, Ney, right under French Grouchy,cavalry surprise reserve Ziethen’s under himself I Corps –which and drivefalls back a wedge on Fleurus, between prompting the two Blücher opposing to order armies, his thusarmy invoking to concentrate a different at . response Pirch from and each Thielmann of their begin vastly (Ziethen) St. Truiden differentmarching butcommanders Bülow does temperament-wise. not take the report Afterseriously using and his doesreserve not tomarch. support On theone left,wing Ney and assumes crush the command most vulnerable as Reille’s army, II Corps he approachesplans to turn Quatre-Bras against the other,which defeating Perponcher’s each 2 ndin Dutch-Belgiandetail. Wellington’s Division Anglo-Dutch resolves army to hold. is spread Bonaparte out and orders expects Ney no to imminent occupy Quatre-Bras, attack and feels using its hiswestern numerical flank superiority,is secure, believing but he itbivouacs to be Bonaparte’s for the night best instead; option. his Blücher’s units are Prussianslow to advance, army is lesshe can spread hear outfighting and is to ready his right to begin rear andconcentrating is familiar duewith toWellington’s confused tacticsbut insistent of concealing reports ofhis 30,800: Frenchtroops. preparations.Wellington meanwhile Wellington attends and Blücher’s a social eventonly plans and doesare to not concentrate send out orders at Nivelles until andlate Sombreffeat night. respectively. FrenchAnglo-Dutch IV Corps Army Anglo-Dutch Army Prussian Army Prussian Army (Wellington) (Blücher) 1st Division (Steinmetz) 2nd (Duke(Gérard) of Wellington) Subordinates RES Subordinates Division(Gebhard (Pirch) Leberecht von 3rd Blücher) Landmarks th 94,000 1st DB 123,000Division (Jagow) 4 16,700: June 1615 4th IV Division (Donnersmarck) 1st th 12 Division (Pécheux) II Corps cavalry division (Treskow) (Hill) 13th Division (Vichery) 2nd cavalry division (Lützow) GDE 14th Division (Bourmont) Prussian III Corps th II 7 Cavalry Division (Maurin) 2nd 2nd DB I Corps French II Cavalry Corps 3rd (Orange) (Thielmann) (Exelmans) 24,000:

3rd DB th th 3,100: DB I 9 Division (Borcke) 10 (+) Division (Krauseneck) th 9 Cavalry Division (Stroltz) III 11th Division (Witten) 10th Cavalry Division (Chastel) 12th Division (Stülpnagel) French I Corps (-) 1st cavalry division (Marwitz) 2nd cavalry (D’Erlon) Subordinates division (Lottum) 19,000: Grande Armée (Bonaparte) st nd 1 Division (Quoit) 2 French II Corps (+) French IV Cavalry Corps I Corps – Ziethen Division (Donzelot) 3rd Division (Marcognet) 4th (Reille) (Milhaud) II Corps – Pirch Division (Durutte) 1st 25,200: 2,900: III Corps – Thielmann Cavalry Division (Jacquinot) 5th Division (Bachelu) 13 th Cavalry 6th Division (Wathier) IV Corps - Bülow Division (Jérôme) 14 th7 thCavalry Division (Delort) Division (Girard) 9th Division (Foy) 2nd Cavalry Division (Piré) Light Cavalry Division from Guard (Lefèbvre-Desnoüettes) Prussian I Corps

Tirlemont DuringNey’s occupation the night, of Quatre-Bras Wellington is provingissues difficult; orders forit takes his timeunits for to him conduct to extract forced his units marches from the trafficeast. They around make Charleroi substantial – not completely progress sure butof all of nonetheir exact reach locations Quatre-Bras – and Reille by suspects dawn. WellingtonThe French is preparing army is a intrap. firm Ney seespossession no reason of to the hurry central and rests position his units andwhile doesan aide not to Napoleonsee any bearingBritish (Ziethen) St. Truiden units,a penciled only note a findsDutch-Belgian D’Erlon’s I Corpsdivision, and ordersso Bonaparte it east, unbeknownst assumes to Wellington Ney. In the east, is withdrawing. Blücher deploys In his accordance available forces with for Bonaparte’sbattle against Bonaparteplan to who leaves Lobau’s VI Corps near Charleroi, ready to march in any direction. Wellington’s forces draw nearer to Quatre-Bras and he can only tell Blücher thatstrike he will at thesend firsttroops forceeast only whichif he is presentsnot attacked itself, himself. he resolves to strike at Blücher who is rushing his other corps to Sombreffe; Bonaparte orders Reille to detach Girard’s 7th Division to the right wing. 30,800: FrenchAnglo-Dutch IV Corps Army Anglo-Dutch Army Prussian Army Prussian Army (Wellington) (Blücher) 1st Division (Steinmetz) 2nd (Duke of Wellington) Subordinates Subordinates (Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) (Gérard) Division (Pirch) 3rd Landmarks 94,000 II Corps 123,000 th 16,700: (Hill) June 16 Division (Jagow) 4 4th st 1st DB Division (Donnersmarck) 1 RES 12th Division (Pécheux) IV cavalry division (Treskow) th 13 Division (Vichery) I Corps nd (Orange) 2 cavalry division (Lützow) 14th Division (Bourmont) Prussian III Corps th 2nd 7 Cavalry Division (Maurin) 3rd GDE French II Cavalry Corps 2nd DB (Thielmann) I II 3rd DB (-) III 24,000: (Exelmans) (+) DB 3,100: 9th Division (Borcke) 10th 2nd DB I II III Division (Krauseneck) th Orange vs Ney Blücher vs Bonaparte 9 Cavalry Division (Stroltz) th at Quatre- at Ligny 11 Division (Witten) 10th Cavalry Division (Chastel) Bras 12th Division (Stülpnagel) French I Corps 1st cavalry division (Marwitz) 2nd cavalry (D’Erlon) Subordinates division (Lottum) 19,000: Grande Armée (Bonaparte) st nd 1 Division (Quoit) 2 French II Corps (+)(-) French IV Cavalry Corps I Corps – Ziethen Division (Donzelot) 3rd Division (Marcognet) 4th (Reille) (Milhaud) II Corps – Pirch Division (Durutte) 1st 20,200: 2,900: III Corps – Thielmann Cavalry Division (Jacquinot) 5th Division (Bachelu) 6th 13th Cavalry Division (Wathier) IV Corps - Bülow Division (Jérôme) 9th 14th Cavalry Division (Delort) Division (Foy) 2nd Cavalry Division (Piré) Light Cavalry Division from Guard (Lefèbvre-Desnoüettes) PerponcherFoy clears Gemioncourtdeploys his division while Bachelu in a long clears thin line Piraumont, to appear making larger Perponcher’sas only Merlen’s position small west cavalry of theunit Brussels stands in road support untenable. to the rear.Perponcher’s Perponcher forces plans retreat to hold to upBossu the Wood,French hotlyadvance pursued on three by Piré’s towns cavalry, until reinforcements and rally only arrive. in the Ney safety deploys of the Foy woods. and Bachelu By this totime, the Jérôme’s front with division Piré’s cavalrydeploys to in the front rear; of Bossuhe does Wood not knowfor the where French. the Piction’s rest of his division forces deploys are but toexpects strengthen them theany left minute. wing Neyand plansBrunswick’s to scatter corps the deploys few units along to histhe front Brussels by driving Road forin thethe Anglo-DutchAnglo-Dutch. left These wing forces and occupyarrive justQuatre-Bras, after Wellington thus separating himself who the twotakes enemy command. armies. Anglo-Dutch Army Quatre Bras (Duke of Wellington)Sart-Dames Avelines Picton 19,7808,780 Brunswick

Perponcher Brussels Road

Perponcher Bossu Wood

Thyle Gemioncourt

Piraumont

Foy Bachelu Jérôme Foy Pierrepoint Bachelu Piré French Left Wing Piré Landmarks () 18,30011,300 KellermannWellingtonNey continuesmaintains thepressure launches attack. cuts on Jéröme hisWellington’s a begins waytriple front.clearing back attack, Bachelu Bossu to half-heartedly recapturingWood; French Foy advances lines.attacks Bossu butThyle Ney halts whichWood, when tries Wellington his Gemioncourt toright renewwingreinforces becomes with the and vulnerablesome attack Piraumontof Alten’s after and Bachelu’sforces; seizein Foy advancea engages swift the is Picton;halted byJérôme Kempt’s clears brigade Bossu hiddenWood but behind sights a evenslight morerise andAnglo-Dutch then thrown forces back to theby awest. bayonet Kellermann charge. also Piré takesis active part on in theall fronts, attack forcingwhen Ney Kempt instructs to withdraw him in crossroadsadvanceaafter fury ato stiff tread cavalry the before by enemy charge joining into dusk and the trying ground Foy’s ends to – exploitwith front-lines the a single the fighting. gap cavalry between but brigade. cannot. PerponcherNey Kellermann fails With and puts Brunswick.to the his seize cavalry arrival The into the latter a of quick crossroads Cooke’scharge trot towards inflicts division, the of many Anglo-Dutch Quatre-Bras casualties Wellington line but so theyWellington but doeffectively not have sealstime theto realize gap withthey Brunswick’s are attacking, troops. and thenBy now suddenly Ney receives charges Napoleon’s in a sprint. orders It succeeds to drive in cuttingoff the through enemy tothe his Anglo-Dutch immediate linefront and and running march downeast to twohitcompletelyprevents the regiments Prussian Wellingtonbefore flank outnumbers beingonly to surrounded. discover from Ney. his sending reserve, D’Erlon’s a single corps, soldier is marching to east! help Hes Blücher.is further enraged when only part of Kellermann’s cavalry arrive to support him while Alten’s division arrives to support Wellington. PerponcherAlten Anglo-Dutch Army Quatre Bras Perponcher (Duke of Wellington) Perponcher Perponcher Picton 28,28024,28019,780 Brunswick Picton

Brussels Road Alten Picton Bossu Wood

Thyle Gemioncourt

Cooke

Foy Piraumont Foy Jérôme

Foy Piré Kellermann Bachelu Pierrepoint Piré Jérôme French Left Wing Kellermann Landmarks (Michel Ney) Piré 19,10018,300 BonaparteBeforeWithFrenchThe mysterious Thielmann artillery Blücher adds deploys the column continues can Guard’sVandamme covering renew is finallyartillery to wreakhis onthe identified tothe attack theretreat havocleft, great Gérard on on as centerfrom the D’Erlon’s Prussian at French batterythe center,heightscorps reserves. left,which but,Grouchy Bonaparterakes of Withbefore Brye,the on Ligny forwardBonaparte the ordersthe stillright slopes,Prussian a thewith can costly, decimating Guardgivethe Guardarmyit indecisive orders, and the andretreats supportingPrussian all Milhaud’s stalemate, but areservesin division decentcavalry cavalry Blücher Blücher of in infantryorder; forwardreserve. draws is rushing Gneisenauand forces He as cavalry,toplans Vandamme support from to Pirchkeepandmarch his right. andthe andhisoff to PrussianThielmanntheBonaparteBlücher west. deploys left Although for in anmuchplay hears attack baffled, withof his Grouchy,on reserveno the he fighting artilleryright.continues clear Bonapartethe to counter toSt. toprepare Amands theresponds Frenchfor with westthe bybatteriesVandamme decisive shifting and but stroke logicallya sufferand cavalry storm againstmany division Ligny casualtiestheconcludes with Prussianfrom inGérard. thetheir center.right exposed thatOnce to The theNey position. Ney Guardextreme arrives infantryhasBlücher to left envelop occupied formsand deploys stiffening athe strong Prussianon eitherforce Quatre-BrasVandamme onsideright, his of extreme Ligny, with rightstaffGrouchy to hitagree thelaunch French on pinning leftWavre flank attacks.as but the Vandamme rally The Prussian pointcontains because it linewith ona shift iteither isof histhe sideright only ofdivision Lignytown to the buckles,name area. theyZiethen then canlaunchesbreaks. read aBlücher viciouson their counterattack promptly maps in leadsto retakethe his darkness.St. cavalry Amand-le-Chateau againstRather Bonapartethesupported Young Guard.byplans cavalry; to He commit then Milhaud’s brings the Guard cavalry up the to scattersclinchrest of victory. the Thielmann’s Guard Throughout and cavalry Milhaud’s the attack; battle, cavalry theartillery forYoung the fire Guarddecisive is to firstrake attack thehalts againstSt. Blücher’s Amand the salient, attackPrussian andtaking center then advantage throwsbut is interruptedit ofback; the Grouchy by a D’Erlon thanthebutand Vandamme Guard organizing will on commits reach the a left his pursuit, butentirethe the force battlefield Bonaparte elite and advances unit repulses sets steadily, in up it time headquarterscapturing easily. to BlücherSt. Amand-le-Hameau. destroy at is Ligny, unhorsed or thinkingGérard andcapture meanwhile vanishes the Prussian captures two-thirdsbut gains most army timeof Ligny is of for shatteredbut histhe is held infantry Prussianup beyond at Ligny to withdraw. Creek repair. army. and excellentmysteriouslaunches targetspins column Thielmann’s on the to theforward entire northwest. slopes. line with BlücherBlücher an attack. seesdeploys Ligny Vandamme’s Ziethen meanwhile on menthe continuesright, waver Thielmann and to absorb launches on menthe a left at grand anand alarming Pirch attack, in reserve. recapturingrate as Gérard He plans part throws ofto use St. in Amand-le-Chateau.thehis field’slast reserve. rough In Meanwhile,VandammePrussianthe battle begins Chief an to of aidebeginsgrind Staff miraculouslyboth Gneisenau sidesclearing down. graspsfindsOn the French thean St. unharmed dangerright, Amands Grouchy the Blücher army pins with Thielmann is in in onethe and by wreckage of movessuddenly his one clearingrightof ofthe BoignéeThielmann’sbattlefieldwing and divisions attacking divisionsand hurriesTongrenelle. as to reserve. himGérard Bonaparte north. For attacks theremembers French, terrain,Lobau’sMeanwhile,the Prussian corpsdefending Thielmann iscamp, still allto Blücher theof sends therear towns learnsand his orders cavalry guardingthat it Wellington forwarddown the the toLigny the isroad deeply battlefield.Creek, towards engagedto fight Fleurus theat Quatre-Brasand French pushes to a theandstandstill. French cannot away send fromtroops; Tongrenelle. he therefore collects his last reserves to finish offLobau’s the French corps left arrives and hitat theFleurus center too in lateflank. to affect the battle. Ligny with hisPrussian two left wing Army divisions. Prussian Army Pirch (Blücher) Marbais (Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) Thielmann 83,000 Ziethen June 17 Sombreffe Brye Ziethen Mazy Mont-Potraiux Wagnelé

Ligny Creek Tongrinne St. Amand- St. Amand-le- Tongrenelle la-Haye Ligny Hameau

St. Amand-le- Chateau

Boignée Balatre

Gérard Vandamme Grouchy Fleurus French Right Wing Landmarks Lobau (Napoleon Bonaparte) French Right Wing (Bonaparte) 65,00080,50070,500 French VI Corps (-)

(Lobau) Prussian I Corps WellingtonAsAll Bonapartetroops camp learns leads ofin miserable the his Prussian troops conditions west, defeat he early receivesthroughout in the morningNey’s the report night and preparesandas the becomes rain to retreat continues convinced just beforealmost that one non-stopWellington of Gneisenau’s until is present dawn. aides Despite in arrives full force. tobeing inform He beaten rushes him of two theto daysQuatre-Bras retreat before to Wavre, andbut th challengingisgreatly too late; inhibited him.Wellington Wellington by traffic, is respondsalready the retreating.that Prussian he will makeBonaparte army isa stand in sends remarkably in front D’Erlon’s of Mont-St.Jean high I spiritsCorps if ina as singlepursuit Blücher Prussian but leads a corps model it west.comes rearguard In to the his aid. actionnight, This by is Exelmans certainlyUxbridge’s possible defies cavalry ordersas both delays andZiethen the leads his 19 Division (Simmer) Frenchcavalryand Pirch untilall rally the heavy their way troops rainfallto Wavre, during ends capturing the all night pursuit whileenough near Thielmann prisonersMont-St. covers Jean.to prove their Wellington, withdrawalthe Prussian still and worriedarmy Bülow is approaches. marchingabout his torightMeanwhile, support flank, Wellington.Bonaparte leaves mostleaves Soon of Grouchy after,Hill’s II Grouchy withCorps 33,000 near hears menHal. artillery onIn thethe east,fireright to wingExelmans the to westneutralize discoversas Bonaparte the Prussian Thielmann commences army at for Gembloux a fewbattle; days hisbut but subordinates isunfortunately unable to arguepreventissues vehementlyorders his withdrawal;leisurely to andmarch hedoes toand notthe Bülow dismiss sound link himof upthe until beforeguns that evening.butretreating Grouchy Bonaparte to insists join plansthe he isrest to following take of the his (Ziethen) th remaining units and detachments from Grouchy’s force to join with Ney’s – altogether 72,000 men – to smash the Anglo-Dutch army. Ney is not yet aware of Bonaparte’s plan 20 Division armyorders at to Wavre. pursue Blücher the Prussian returns army to take and command prevent it and from promise intervening Wellington in the hewest, will whichmarch he to canhis supportdo from withWavre. two A corps vaguely and worded all four messageif able. Grouchy’s from Bonaparte directs hisonlyand reconnaissanceawaits confirms orders his all decision. morningto the northeast instead of andpinning cannot the Anglo-Dutch conclusively force. report where the Prussian army is retreating to. st nd (Jeannin)FrenchAnglo-Dutch IV Corps Army Anglo-Dutch Army Prussian Army 1 DivisionPrussian (Steinmetz) Army 2 (Wellington) (Blücher) Division (Pirch) 3rd (Duke of Wellington) Subordinates Subordinates (Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) (Gérard) Division (Jagow) 4th Landmarks 85,000 89,000 st 12th Division (Pécheux) June 1718 Division (Donnersmarck) 1 13th Division (Vichery) III cavalry division (Treskow) nd th III Thielmann vs Grouchy 2 cavalry division (Lützow) 14 Division (Bourmont) I th at Wavre Prussian III Corps French Imperial7 Cavalry Guard Division (+) (Maurin) IV II (Thielmann) (Druot) II RES 9th Division (Borcke) 10th Young Guard (Duhesme) IV Division (Krauseneck) Middle Guard (Morand) th I 11 Division (Witten) Old Guard (Friant) I 12th Division (Stülpnagel) I RES II st Light Cavalry Division (Lefèbvre-Desnoüettes) Wellington vs Bonaparte III 1 cavalry division Heavy Cavalry Division (Guyot) at Waterloo (Marwitz) 2nd cavalry 3rd Cavalry Division from III Corps (Domon) division (Lottum) 5th Cavalry Division fromFrench II Cavalry I Corps Corps Bonaparte I Corps – Ziethen

(Subervie) Grouchy (D’Erlon) II Corps – Pirch Subordinates 1st Division (Quoit) 2nd Grande Armée III Corps – Thielmann Division (Donzelot) 3rd (Bonaparte) IV Corps - Bülow Division (Marcognet) 4th French II Corps (-) French IV Cavalry Corps Division (Durutte) 1st (Reille) (Milhaud) Cavalry Division (Jacquinot) 5th Division (Bachelu) 613th th Cavalry Division (Wathier) Division (Jerome) 9th 14th Cavalry Division (Delort) Division (Foy) 2nd Cavalry Division (Piré) BonaparteWellingtonNey’sPictonMoreTheCostlyJérôme French infantryPrussianand renewsis deploys deployskilled ineffectiveuses agrees cavalry hisattack his anforces as attackhis armyoverall with D’Erlon’s armywavers attackspush inarrive, on Druot three along lull Hougomont, Uxbridge’s againstagainst in linesmassive forcing athatfighting reverse on Hougomont theyLahigh sucking Lobau Haye-Sainte. cavalryassaultslope toground must rebuild to into continue but hide theallowbackappears retreat stillhis rest hisBased centercannottheand asreserves of to Bacheluto hisground onreengage see froma overwhelm division wagonridge Wellington’swith also hisfor the reserve. andin movement becomesartillerythe exceptionfront thenreserves.the Anglo-Dutch Jérôme of partinvolved,Anglo-Dutch to oftoPlancenoit Thebe of a thefinally brigadeFoy’s.firsteffective tyingAnglo-Dutch right line Anglo-Dutch brings maskingcenter. downwhilecomprises center. and everup a rear, hisWellington artillerydelayscavalry Reille artillery Wellington’sleft more Ney center and French theto concludesfirescreen D’Erlon’sset ordersandattack troops. preventsHougomont cavalryanother infantryto forWellington ahis On local the over theoccupying leftunderreserve Frenchablaze cavalryright,twodeters Ney;to from full be Lathebutis Ney chargeBnowitsretreatingsendssecondHayeencirclingülow defenders and aD’Erlon’scomprises from spentwhich Papelotte.the and chateau stillattacking entireLobau’s forceUxbridge orders hold His and corps infantryand mainout a allows massprematurely. swiftlyforwardin theline alongthe Wellingtonis cavalry subsequent walled almost withbutexecutes Kellermanoverlooks chargeentirelyBonapartegarden. to feed with battleand the infantryby inBonaparte Milhaud’s reinforcements,two Milhaudoutdated sees inflicts withbrigades, cavalry Ney’s receivesvirtually againstdivisional heavy under but bloodyshattering all theGrouchy’sproportionatelycolumns vagueof casualties enemyhis cavalry command;artillery, three D’Erlon’safternoon center. onofless charge interspersedthe its both than third Thefour attacksmessage Reillecomprisesand sides.divisions Guard with despairinglycommits.and which cavalryThevarious theare capturing Guard in, Frenchdefinitively As nationalities;severely on Theinfantry realizesthe British cavalrythousands rightandreducing shows guardsmenhecavalry he getsholds still itshe must under of caughtfail firepowerbackwill prisoners. continue Bonaparte. toatnot a strong upleast breakarrive andto in reserverepulseHehours. places wavesofThe a cavalrythird battle ofof Frenchhis and artilleryfinally infantry. infantry, on a opensHis ridge Bonaparte left in iswithfront up Jérôme’sofinorders histhe army airthe inattack great aexpectance great battery againstbattery. ofto Bonaparte Bl fire.Hougomont;ücher’s Its plans effectarrival to isusewhileusing spectacular this his greatonly right battery part isbut deployed ineffective: ofto blowhis a division,in hole depth, the in Wellington’sslight anchored he ridgeclears left byprotects centerthehis elite woods while Wellington’s Guards Reille to UxbridgesupportthroughinMilhaud’sincreasing support. it when its movement losessoBonaparte vulnerability. he only controlorders a andthus few Bylandt’sKellermann of alsoorders artillery his charges; force brigade,Ney batteries and toand this capturealready supporting it congested charges would shakenLa Haye-Sainte be Guardbythe cavalry necessaryits French losses cavalry charge,immediately, at great Quatre-Brasto forward. withpierce battery; nowhich Wellington’s Uxbridge supportingand he thetoday’s attacks Anglo-Dutch charges infantry,artillery line. with Onfire,Milhaud’sthe on cavalrythe less wetquickly French damaged ground, cavalry routs.are right,repulsed againstPictonunits and B shoutsfromülowpushes Wellington’sby D’Erlon’s attackshisFrench itentire off divisiondivision;mainthepins downsouth line forward Chassé’s hisand butreserves; the from hastily divisionshots behindD’Erlon do carriesoccupies not isthe toricochet ridgethen the Merbe smashand attackover Brainedelivers the it due weakenedto to a Hougomont’stothe crushing the west Anglo-Dutch wet in volleyground. case wallstoofleft Bylandt’sD’Erlon’sa center French and with flankinggates.centerbrigade, a stiff while Theinfantryexposedmaneuver. Quiot’sBritish attack, in divisionfrontWellington guardsmen followed of theis heldplans byline, the up within tosuffers Guardat use La if the Haye-Sainte. arenecessary.greatly towns barely however.in Although front Onlyable ofDurutteTo tohe histhe receivesclose line east, on to reorganizingunbrokenGrouchy’s report infantry, corps. of Blücher’s isMeanwhile, expectantly movement French west ineffective. by artillery way of Brussels conductsBonaparte, early counter-battery infocused the morning, on theBonaparte bombardments, security does ofnot his respond virtuallyright untilflank, clearing six hours does thelater. not ridge Bonaparte notice of Anglo-Dutch Ney’srebuffs hasty his Chief artillery.charge of Staff at theabsorbBonaparteartilleryLobau right gatesridge thewith makes fire spots Frenchbeforeand two progress,and darkrepulse divisions attack Kellermannthen masses capturing andtherouted andof reinforceFrench Bülow’s intervenes.Papelotte.besiegesby an attack. histroops opportunistic main To Plancenoit. andtheWith line east,promptly withthe B ülow’s charge reserves arrivalMore sends corps Prussian byofLobau’s until Jacquinot’srestsBülow’s Blücher beforeinfantry forces corps, arrives advancing. cavalry. alongarrive Wellington to with hitas Domon theBülow’s French transfersand fourth rightSubervie’s flank. Wincke’sdivision cavalry Wellington approaches brigade to cover strictly fromhis the prohibitsright his front, flank. left his intoforcingsubordinatesDespiteTofirst.Soult the whenreserve ülow’sBeast, Bülow’s Bonaparte he suggestsBülowfrom corpsand unexpected advancing recallsskirmishes emergesexplicitly to make appearance, Chassé’s downrecalling from withurgent the Paris GrouchyFrench ridge. division Bonaparteplans Wood Inbecausecavalry caseto wherefrom restoreis of he confidentaround defeat, is theLobau confident thewest. Parisa strikesforest situation.Grouchy heWood. canto its isthedefeat leadingpinning rear Wellington protects division.most of beforeagainst the PrussianBlücher a cavalry arrives. army. pursuit. Anglo-Dutch Army Anglo-Dutch Army Prussian Army Prussian Army (Wellington) (Blücher) (Duke of Wellington) Break-down by divisions Mont-St. Jean (Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) 68,000 Break-down by brigades 40,000 Smohain Brook La Haye Merbe Braine

La Haye-Sainte

Paris Wood Papelotte

Hougomont

La Belle Alliance

Plancenoit Lasne Brook Landmarks French Left Wing Break-down by divisions Break-down by corps (Napoleon Bonaparte/Michel Ney) Rosomme French Left Wing 72,000 (Bonaparte) TheBlBonaparteücher FrenchGuard French directs cavalryleadsis repulsed.cavalry Pirch’s thefight Middle only bitterlyWellingtonpush division Guard butUxbridge’s mustorders forwardsouth retreat; ato forgeneral preventcavalry they Ney fail toadvance the tocommandback spikeFrench whiletheand army butAnglo-Dutch reengageBl ücherwithholdsfrom retreatingcontinues guns, the leaving OldAnglo-Dutch andto Guard push themorders intacthisin Bülow reserve.troops rightwhen to forward: theirretakeBonaparte center. gunners Plancenoit, Ziethen Wellington’sthen return completelyproclaims later.which Ney he cavalry to attacksoutflanksdoes his troopsbefore the reserve theAnglo-Dutch thatlosing French the isit nowrightagainforce with wing towhen a the spentFoy as Bonapartenortheast and Bülow forceBachelu struggles is commits andbutnot they Ziethen’s theto part areovercome subsequent unsupportedof corpsthe Oldthe but Guard. Young byGrouchy’s battle cavalry SatisfiedGuard, andinflicts army. whichmust withThis retreat. clings heavythe lie andsituation Bonaparteto casualtiesthePlancenoit. sighton orders the of rightWord the Ney on Guard toflank, bothof takethe advancing La sides.Guard’sBonaparte Haye-Sainte Therepulse heightens places Frenchwhich quickly the D’Erlon’sthe rest cavalry moralespreads, of corpsthe of still Guardcausing atthe last failFrench backdoes the to in when troops; Frenchreserve break its intheyarmydefenders preparation renew to rout.run the out Reille’sfor attackof aammo. final troopsas Frenchbestattack maintain they skirmishers on canthe some allweakened reachalong order the the untilridgeAnglo-Dutch line. Anglo-Dutchand Ney establish sends line. a cavalrytheWellington few Guard batteries, surge tomust attackenough forward, commit Wellington’s to scatteringpummel Brunswick’s Anglo-Dutch right them corps center, in thereserves.to stiffennotopen his Reille field. hisweaker meanwhilecenter Bonaparte left andcenter, takes engage orders the because initiative, D’Erlon’s the of Old corps.congestionGuardmaskingthrough Oneto Hougomont coverwhen around of Ziethen’s the only andLa retreat Haye-Sainte. hitting a divisions few before the artillery Anglo-Dutch arrives, Anglo-Dutch his staff batteries allowing right urge gunsflank Wellington would himenfiladewith to Jérôme’s fleebe tothe necessary transferdivision. theGuard battlefield. fromIt Vivian is here tothe and piercethat left The Vandaleur’sNey as Old it Wellington’srequests advances; Guard haltscavalryinfantry Bonaparte’s the line.reinforcements from Anglo-Dutch On his orders leftthe to wing French are finishcavalry to reservebreakoff right, near Wellington’s the which, La Benemyülow Belle center, along attacks Allianceunits withonlywith to before Chassé’sthewithdrawingLobaube rebuffed bayonet. with division, by further.The twoBonaparte, Guard formdivisions Wellington hisreacheseven final thoughand andthe reserve. besieges theridge Blücher situation before Chassé’s meet Plancenoit. on the theat division Anglo-Dutch Laright Belle flank deploysMore Alliance is infantry Prussian not right hopeless. and stand behind agree forces Bülow up that hisandcaptures arrive the engage.center Prussianmuch as after Bl ofBülow’sücher Plancenoit cavalry a French also fourth will renewsbut deserter pursueis throwndivision his informs aloneattack, out whenapproaches to capturing him avoid Bonaparte of the any Papelotte friendlythecommitsupcoming front, and firethe Guard forcingassault;muchincidents.Young Guard;of WellingtonPlancenoit.Bonaparte Bonaparte orders overcautiouslyto make his front urgent linedeploys to planstake the restcover to of restore thebehind Guard the thein aridge. longsituation. line behind Plancenoit in case of a breakthrough. Anglo-Dutch Army Anglo-Dutch Army Prussian Army Prussian Army (Wellington) (Blücher) (Duke of Wellington) Mont-St. Jean (Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher) 68,000 40,000 Smohain Brook La Haye Merbe Braine

La Haye-Sainte

Paris Wood Papelotte

Hougomont

La Belle Alliance

Plancenoit Lasne Brook

French Left Wing Landmarks (Napoleon Bonaparte/Michel Ney) Rosomme French Left Wing 72,000 (Bonaparte) ThielmannDueVandammeGrouchy to congested resolves anddisobeys attacks Exelmans toroads carry orders westthe Wavre continue andFrenchand with attemptsthe to Frenchhalf forces attack his to approach, force storm theiron whilethe assigned Wavre Thielmann plateauthe with other crossings, his ishalfin not leading front captures albeitable divisionofto ineffectually. marchLimaleLimale before west and but marchesas the Gérard ordered.Pajol rest is west. of hitskilled Instead the Vandamme his armyas heheright arrives.deploysrenews attacksflank; Thethehis rearguardattackWavre fails and against corps Biergesmiserably Bierge to defend Mill, once Mill is repulsedthe soit reaches Grouchy four Dyle at the both leads River bridge, but it crossings renews himself, which theis and also raked attack delay with by relentlessly the noPrussian Frenchsuccess. artillery advance. as To Exelmans the and south,Grouchy’s skirmishers threatens Pajol subordinates surpriseshidden Lower within Wavre. the continue PrussianWavre’s Gérard to presshouses.mistakenlydetachmentThielmann for Meanwhile, anmarches at withdrawsimmediate Limale to one Wavre and of movement captures Ghis insteadérard’s attack theof divisions west Limale bridge force to arrivesas the just northordered increasingly as to Teste’s to theso Grouchythe French division louder woods. rear.orders arrives sound Grouchy Threehim to of to consolidate thetake receives of guns. fourthe Bierge Bonaparte’s thecrossings Grouchy’s position. Mill crossing. army afternoon are Thielmann is stillTo dispersed:the message under leavessouth, Vandamme’swhichPajols’minimalPrussian reportscavalry forces control infantrythe finallyto Frenchdefend and andarrives deeply thenoExelmans’ threeFrenchopposite engaged remaining cavalry forcesLimale. at Waterloo are crossings marchThielmann opposite and west.and sightWavresends sends of while desperateBülow’s the Grestérard corps ofappeals hisand to corps thePajols for northeast; south.assistance are still Grouchy Grouchyapproaching to Blücher matches is nearly thebut Thielmann’s receives battlefield.powerless no Grouchytoreply.build-upPrussian help Bonaparte. onplans III the Corps to plateau pin the by Prussian leading army Gérard’s once other he concentrates two divisions his to own.Limale. Prussian III Corps (Thielmann) Lower Wavre (Johann von Thielmann) 15,000

Wavre

Bierge Mill

Dyle River

Limale French Right Wing Landmarks (Emmanuel de Grouchy) French Right Wing 33,000 (Grouchy) Waterloo, 1815 Casualties & Aftermath

Quatre-Bras | Grande Armée: 4,000 or 21% Anglo-Dutch Army: 4,600 or 19%

Ligny | Grande Armée: 11,000 or 14% Prussian Army: 16,000 or 19%

Waterloo | Grande Armée: 33,000 or 46% Allied Armies: 21,000 or 19%

Wavre | Grande Armée: 2,600 or 8% Prussian Army: 2,500 or 17%

Overall | Grande Armée: 50,600 or 41% Allied Armies: 44,100 or 20%

Grouchy defeated Thielmann on June 19 before learning of Bonaparte’s defeat and retiring south. Bonaparte arrived in Paris on June 21 to a hostile national legislature which refused to grant him more power, instead forcing his abdication the next day. Militarily, Soult rallied 55,000 regulars of the battered French army, bringing Davout’s Paris army strength to 117,000 along with 170,000 replacements in northeastern France’s depots. The Anglo-Dutch and Prussian armies were strung out around Paris or besieging fortresses and the other Allied armies were slow in pushing back weak French defensive armies. Bonaparte realized the opportunity for a magnificent counter-stroke and requested temporary command of the army. The provisional government denied him this opportunity and forced him into exile. Davout, disgusted with the web of politics in Paris, negotiated peace terms which reduced France to its borders of 1790. By Jonathan Webb, 2010 © The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps

http://www.theartofbattle.com By Jonathan Webb, 2010 ©