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Thursday 4 September 2014

Waterloo Campaign - The German Victory

Like many wargamers I am fully aware of the great British (ahem) victory against the French at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. I have walked upon the slopes of Mont-Saint-Jean.

Yes, I know it was actually an Anglo-Dutch army ably supported by some of the Prussian army that fought on the battlefield and I also know that many of Wellingtons men were Hanoverians, Nassauers and Brunswickers.

I am also aware of the lead-up battles at Quatre Bras and Ligny and also the other battle of the day at Wavre where more of the Prussians fought against the 'missing' French under Grouchy. I also know of the approaching Austrians and Russians whose presence might have helped had things hung on a bit longer.

Being a Scot I am quite happy to admit that the great British victory was actually an Allied affair and am quite able to read between the lines of the victors histories to see the real story.

This lead me to my recent read.

1815   The Waterloo Campaign   The German Victory   Peter Hofschroer



I won't provide any 'spoilers' to prospective readers other than to say that there was a bit more to the story in combat terms from the day after Waterloo (or the Battle of la Belle Alliance) including the 'fortress battles' and the 'capture of Paris'.

A bargain from Amazon at £12.30 including postage, well worth reading no matter where your allegiances lie.

4 comments:

  1. One of the best books I have ever read. The material leading up to Ligny gave me a slew of small battles and skirmishes to re-create. .

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    1. I thought it was a great book, lots of facts and information and lots of opinions too!

      Certainly a better book than the Barbero offering which I am currently hallway through!

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  2. How can it be an "Anglo Dutch" Army if the composition was Total: 118,000
    Wellington's army: 68,000[2][3]

    United Kingdom: 25,000 British and
    6,000 King's German Legion
    Netherlands: 17,000
    Hanover: 11,000 (Germans)
    Brunswick: 6,000 (Germans)
    Nassau: 3,000[4] (Germans)

    A total of 17.000 Dutch and 26.000 Germans! Then another 50.000 Prussians, so 76.000 Germans vs 25.000 Brits.

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    Replies
    1. History is a poor recollection of the facts but the details are there to be found if you know where to look.

      Wellington himself had a biased viewpoint of events of the day. There is much more to be read.

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