Battles of the Hundred Days Campaign: Part III
Waterloo:
The Allied team for the battle of Waterloo comprised of Alastair Penny (Blucher), Keith McNelly (Wellington and the Anglo-Allied left and centre) and Stan Walker (Anglo-Allied right flank). The French comprised Robin Sutton (Ney & French left flank), Adrian Powell (Napoleon and French right flank) and Barrie Cameron (French centre and Guard).
A couple of points regarding the setup are worth noting prior to proceeding to a brief report. Firstly, the density of the hills and rolling ridges were significant. The battlefield seemed what can be described as a position magnifique. Secondly, the troop density was much greater than I had imagined even looking at the scenario book map. The photo attempts to capture this, but in many ways it fails. There are simply rows and rows of stands lined up one beside the other. How much worse it must have seemed to those at the actual battle!
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| The battlefield of Waterloo at 11am prior to the French attack. This photo is taken from behind the Allied line. In the centre right can be seen the Hougoumont, while in the centre running left to right is the main allied ridge with La Haye Sainte, a village in Volley & Bayonet terms, in the centre right of the photograph. In the valley beyond this ridge and on the left of the photograph is Papelotte. Then further ridges can be distinguished, lined with French infantry, cavalry and artillery until in the top centre left can be seen Plancenoit. |
After the troops were deployed both the Allied and French teams started some last minute planning and review of their options. Wellington's general options were reasonably simple, to await the attack of the French and the arrival of the Prussians, if in fact they would arrive. The French however, seem to have considered some alternate options to those used by Napoleon in 1815.
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| Another view of the battlefield prior to the battle. British troops can be seen deployed in La Haye Sainte, as well as the nearby sandpit. The Hougoumont can also be clearly seen with two infantry detachments garrisoning it as well as a further detachment deployed closer to the French lines in an orchard. |
The French plan called for a movement of d'Erlon's Corps, as well as half the available cavalry divisions to the French right. It would seem that this force would have two roles. Firstly to delay the arrival of the Prussians and secondly, to crush the Anglo-Allies under Wellington by turnng their line. The obvious part of the French plan, at least to Wellington, was the formation of a new grand battery using some 100 artillery peices in front of the Allied main ridge. This grand battery was then to be backed up by Lobau's VI Corps the entire French Guard infantry, from the Young Guard to the Old Guard. It seemed likely to the Wellington that this force was both to pin and then likely to attack at the same time as the assualt fell on the left flank. Finally, it seemed Ney was to pin and possibly turn the Allied right flank. He was allocated considerable cavalry and Reille's II Corps, but seemed to take great pains in avoiding the Hougoumont.
It was on the Anglo-Allied right flank that the initial attacks occurred. While Napoleon marched to the French right and the Guard began their move forward Ney advanced. The initial French attacks however were stopped by the Netherlanders and then counter-attacks launched by brigades from Clinton's 2nd Division. Those attacking included the 1st King's German Legion Infantry Brigade and the 3rd British Infantry Brigade as well as the 3rd British/KGL Light Cavalry Brigade. In addition small British detachments advanced from the security of the Hougoumont to pour rifle fire into the flanks and rear of the French.
| French
infantry are counter-attacked by Clinton's infantry and British Light
Cavalry.
The Hougoumont is visible on the left. |
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With Napoleon moving to envelope the Anglo-Allied position Drouot and Lobau moved forward to pin Wellington's troops along the ridge. By around 1pm a new grand battery was formed and consisted of some 100 guns. However, the fire was generally ineffective. In fact due to the angle of it's deployment it soon came under accurate fire from a much smaller Allied battery causing part of the French grand battery to displace after taking heavy casualties.
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| The French grand battery exchanges for with the British artillery and the forward elements of the Allied line. Wellington was attempting to gain time and only retired the advanced elements when the French guns, firing at long range were stationary. Behind the French artillery are troops of Lobau's Corps and then further behind the Guard infantry divisions. |
To counter the French extension of their right flank, as well as to assist in a link up with the Prussians, Wellington began to extend his own line. The British left wing cavalry division and Netherlands cavalry division were tasked with this role. In addition, they were to threaten the French infantry of d'Erlon's Corps who were crossing a stream east of Papelotte. However, even with signs of the advancing Prussians around 12 noon Napoleon had successfully placed a considerable portion of his army between the Prussians and the Anglo-Allies.
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The
battlefield around 1pm.
The French army, on the right and centre, is clearly divided into three parts. Ney below the Hougoumont and currently withdrawn after his initial pinning attacks. Drouot and Lobau in the centre formed behind the grand battery. While towards the top, and just above Papelotte, Napoleon with d'Erlons Corps and Milhaud's Cavalry Corps. The British left wing cavalry can be seen extending the Anglo-Allied left wing at 45 degrees - top left. |
From around 2pm, and with the Prussians still attempting to deploy, the French attack began to gain momentum. Significantly, Napoleons attack was focussed against the left corner of the Anglo-Allied line which was now formed at 90 degrees to the main line. The French attack began with a short bombardment. As the 9th British Brigade finally broke under this fire the British reformed on the 5th Hanoverian Brigade (M4, PT, NE). Now the entire British line depended on this Hanoverian Brigade holding, and hold it did! With Wellington moving about personally among the troops it stood as French infantry and French Lancers charged it over a period of three hours.
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| The situation around 2pm as the French begin their attacks on the now protected Anglo-Allied left flank. At the corner of the Allied line is the 9th British Brigade, while advancing towards the line is an array of French infantry, cavalry and artillery. In the top left Prussian forces struggle to deploy against a small, but initially effective, French rear guard. Next to it, and visible to the right is the 5th Hanoverian Brigade. The Allied left flank cavalry is nowformed behind the Allied infantry and out of vew. |
However, Napoleon's attacks were not just at the Allied left. As well as continuing to divert more troops to delay the increasing numbers of Prussians arriving on the field other French corps returned to the offensive. Ney began to advance against the Anglo-Allied right flank and pressed the Netherlanders in this sector very hard. Next to them Lobau VI Corps and the Drouot's Guard Corps advanced up the slopes between La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont. The fighting was now desperate all along the line.
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General
situation around 5pm showing that the situation had become very fluid.
The Prussians of IV and II Corps can be seen at the top of the photograph drawing more French to contain them while struggling to deploy. The Anglo-Allied line continues to be assaulted in the middle by d'Erlon's Corps in an attempt to collapse the line. Between La Haye Sainte and the Hougoumont, French forces continue to press home costly attacks against Wellington's forces on the ridge which pushes the 1st Allied Division into exhaustion. In the lower portion Ney pushes Reille's Corps home against the now exhausted 3rd Netherland Division. |
Unfortunately, it was at this critical stage we had to end the battle due to time restraints. With four turns remaining no clear conclusion could be drawn on the final outcome. Would the French break through around Hougoumont? Would the British cavalry restore the balance and destroy the Guard. Would Blucher push hard or would he continue to move slowly in support of his English Allies?
| British
Heavy cavalry moved out from behind the relative safety of the ridge and
deployed below La Haye Sainte around 4pm.
Here, British Heavy cavalry charge home on the flank of the Morand's Chasseur Division driving the division into exhaustion. |
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Waterloo, despite not being completed was a challenging battle. Both armies had fought well. Nine French divisions were in exhaustion, including the one Guard infantry division and the Guard heavy cavalry division. Several other divisions were almost exhausted. Two Anglo-Allied divisions were exhausted, but being generally larger divisions this in itself does not show the heavy casualties the army had taken.
Battles of the Hundred Days Campaign: Part IV