Battle Of Waterloo

A Bitter Defeat For Napoleon's France

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

F McCullough

The Battle of Waterloo, which occurred on 18 June 1815, remains an unforgettable event in French history. For Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his forces, it marked the end of a relentless campaign to reclaim their European dominance. Although the French Army fought with tenacity and courage, they ultimately succumbed to the combined forces of the British, Dutch, Belgian, and German troops led by the Duke of Wellington, as well as the Prussian Army under Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher. This historic battle marked the end of Napoleon's reign and a significant shift in European politics.

Upon his return from exile on Elba, Napoleon faced a coalition of European nations that sought to end his rule. To regain the initiative, he devised a plan to divide and conquer the British and Prussian forces. He aimed to defeat the British-led forces commanded by Wellington before turning his attention to the Prussian Army. To this end, Napoleon launched a swift offensive into Belgium, engaging the British and their allies.

As the battle commenced, the French Army, a combination of seasoned veterans and enthusiastic recruits, aggressively attacked the well-fortified British positions. Despite their valour, the French soldiers faced a determined and entrenched enemy. Wellington's forces successfully absorbed wave after wave of French assaults, denying Napoleon the decisive victory he sought.

All the while, the French forces kept an eye on the eastern horizon, aware of the impending arrival of the Prussian Army. Time was of the essence, as the French needed to achieve victory before the Prussians could reinforce Wellington's troops.

In a desperate bid to break the stalemate, Napoleon committed his elite Imperial Guard to a final, all-out assault on the British lines. This force had never known defeat and represented the last hope for a French victory. However, the British and their allies held firm, and for the first time in history, the Imperial Guard was forced to retreat. This moment marked the beginning of the end for the French at Waterloo.

The arrival of the Prussian reinforcements sealed the fate of the French Army. The Prussians, led by von Blücher, relentlessly pressured the French flank, further exhausting Napoleon's already weakened forces. The combination of the resolute British defence and the Prussian onslaught proved too much for the French Army, leading to a disorganised retreat and a crushing defeat.

The Battle of Waterloo serves as a poignant reminder of the risks and uncertainties inherent in warfare. Despite the skill and determination of the French Army, they were ultimately defeated by the combined efforts of the British, Dutch, Belgian, German, and Prussian forces. This bitter loss marked the end of Napoleon's rule, resulting in his exile to Saint Helena and a new chapter in European history.

Table of Contents

French Tale Of Defeat - Poem

Photograph Source: The Emperor Napoleon On Horseback At The Battle of Waterloo On 18 June 1815. Navy Army Museum

Listen closely, mes amis, and here’s the tale of defeat,

Of a great battle fought, that ended in retreat.

It was the year of 1815, Napoleon was our guide,

We marched to Belgium, with a great army, on our side.

We met the British and the Prussians, on that fateful field,

Our cannons roared, our muskets fired, our swords did yield,

The fighting was fierce, and we held our own,

Our courage was high, but soon overthrown.

Then it seems, our troops grew weary,

Soon we did learn, and all our hopes became dreary,

The British were strong, and the Prussians had arrived,

With a ferocity unmatched, they fought and survived.

Our army was defeated, and we were forced to flee,

We left behind our wounded, our dead, and much debris,

Our great leader Napoleon, was captured,

The world was changed, and the British enraptured.

For France, it was a great defeat, a loss so hard to bear,

We must remember, the heroes who were there,

Who fought with courage, and a will so brave,

They fought for France, and where they fell, their grave.

Let us not forget, the story of Waterloo,

From our perspective, it may seem unfair, but true,

We fought with bravery, and we withdrew,

In the end, we lost, and gained a new path to pursue.

French Bitter Defeat - Song

Photograph Source: Attack On The British Squares By French Cavalry, Battle of Waterloo, 1815

Watercolour by Denis Dighton. Navy Arm Museum

La bataille de Waterloo, was a bitter defeat,

For Napoleon's France, the French people felt downbeat.

With cannons and muskets, the battle raged,

And the outcome of the battle, left them disengaged.

La bataille de Waterloo, a bitter defeat indeed,

For Napoleon's France, lost the lead.

With heavy heart, they fled the field that day,

And the battle was lost, in a most punishing way.

Napoleon fought hard, with a fate so true,

The British and Prussians, fought like they knew.

The battle raged on, with a great roaring sound,

With the French army, left dying on the ground.

La bataille de Waterloo, a bitter defeat indeed,

For Napoleon's France, it was quite a stampede.

With a heavy heart, they ran from the field that day,

The battle was lost, with no chance of replay.

Now let us recall, the story of that day,

Of the battle that was fought, in such a courageous way.

For the Battle of Waterloo, was a hostile defeat,

Its memory endures, with the French army in retreat.

La bataille de Waterloo, a tale of history indeed,

For Napoleon's France, leaving its people in need.

With a heavy heart, they ran away that day,

With the battle lost, and their troops left in disarray.

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

F McCullough

External Links

Navy Army Museum

Information

A Bitter Defeat For Napoleon's France

French Tale Of Defeat - Poem

French Bitter Defeat - Song

Battle Of Waterloo, Bicentenary A Brief Account

Photographs & Art Works

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Keywords: Battle of Waterloo, Blücher, British History, Duke of Wellington, European History, French Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte, Prussian Army, Warfare, Waterloo 200

Hashtags: #BattleOfWaterloo, #Blücher, #BritishHistory, #DukeOfWellington, #EuropeanHistory, #FrenchEmpire, #NapoleonBonaparte, #PrussianArmy, #Warfare, #Waterloo200

Created: 21 March 2023

Published: 22 March 2023

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