Battle of Waterloo Flashcards
By what time was the Battle of Waterloo won?
9pm
How did Napoleon deal with the Prussian troops prior to Waterloo?
- He forced them into retreat
- He sent Marshal Grouchy with a force of 33,000 troops to suppress them.
How did the battle of Waterloo begin?
- Napoleon attacked with an 4-gun artillery strike and sent a diversionary attack on the chateau at Hougamont.
How did Wellington counter Napoleon’s columns of men? (3)
- Fired upon them will all of his arms.
- Sent in cavalry and infantry, firing constant volley, to finish them off.
- He captured 3,000 French troops
How did Wellington counter the collapse of his defenses as Ney captured the farmhouse?
- He personally led troops to reinforce the centre line (twice!)
- Lined up brigadiers behind deserters to prevent disertion looool
How did Wellington position his forces?
- Reverse of a ridge, to minimilise impact of cannon fire.
- Had two strongholds (Hougamont and papelotter) from where he could defend
- Set up two defensice positions manned by his most trusted troops at Hougamont and La Hay Sainte.
How many French soldiers were kille/wounded at Waterloo?
25,000
How many men did Napolean have at Waterloo?
70,000
How many men did Wellington have at Waterloo and what was their composition?
- 67,000 men
- 50,000 infantry
- 12,000 cavalry
- 5,000 gunners
How many men would the attack on Hougamont eventually wrap-up?
13,000 (1/4 of Napolean’s entire force)
In which year was the battle of Waterloo?
1815
What happened at 1pm during the battle of Waterloo? (3)
- Napolean began his main assault: Long columns of men to punch through Wellingtons defenses.
- Wellington fired upon the columns with his men, and concealed artilery at Papelotte
- Prussian forces began to arrive!!!
What happened at 3pm in the battle of Waterloo? (2)
- Napoleon regroups (could have retreated and fought another day)
- Napolean sends Marshal Ney to assault the farmhouse at La Haye Saint.
What happened at 4pm in Waterloo? (3)
- Ney captured the farmhouse at La Haye Saint
- Ney set up artillery to fire upon the British (270m)
- Napolean refused Ney’s request for reinforcements from the Imperial Guard.
What happened at 7pm in the battle of Waterloo? (3)
- Napolean sent in his imperial guard.
- Blucher’s (Prussian) full force had arrived,
- Wellington orders a general advance on French
What happened prior to the battle of Waterloo?
Two skirmishes which seperated the British and Prussian forces.
What were Napoleon’s main problems at the battle of Waterloo? (2)
- Napoleon had piles (disease), so was poor tempered and could not properly survey the battlefield.
- He had sent 33,000 troops to defend against Blucher. Blucher escaped with 70,000 troops, which began to arrive by late afternoon. Marshal Grouchy’s men were wasted.
Where did Wellington conceal his artillery?
Papelotte
Who led the British, German and Dutch troops at Waterloo?
The Duke of Wellington
Who led the Prussian force at Waterloo?
Field Marshal Blucher
Who were the 3 French commanders in the battle of Waterloo?
- Napoleon
- Marshal Ney on his left flank
- Marshal Grouchy on his right flank
Why were Wellington’s defensive squares SO effective?
- Muskets and bayonets provided protection from French cavalry on all sides.
- Hollow centre was a place of refuge for the injured, and a place for artillery!
