Order of Battle.

Some 14,000 French soldiers were tied down in attacking the farm complex, its gardens and orchard, throughout the day; the Allies defending numbered about 3,000, with another 3,000 in close support.

This was intended to be the French main attack and certainly given the approach of the Prussians to the battlefield was the only one with any potential of lasting success.

Two brigades of British heavy cavalry surprise d’Erlon’s troops and destroy them – only to be destroyed in their turn.

Ney launches huge cavalry attacks in Wellington’s centre in the belief that his squares would not hold.

The Prussian advance from Wavre and Grouchy’s pursuit.

The 2nd Light Battalion KGL and other supporting troops held out for much of the day, but finally succumbed – It was no massacre however.

The Duke of Saxe Weimar’s troops hold onto Papelotte against the attacks of the French and the Prussians!

The fighting for Plancenoit was bitter and without mercy.

Napoleon takes his last gamble, launching his final reserve in an effort to smash wellington’s army.

The French soldiers see the Guard defeated and the realisation that the Prussians were nearly in their rear causes the French to rout.

The field of the Battle of Waterloo was a terrifying and shocking place to be that night and for the following few days. Nine hours of desperate fighting on such a small area of ground had left a butcher’s bill that is truly staggering to contemplate.

The Prussians pursue the French, driving them on with no opportunity to rest or reform.

What was the real legacy of Waterloo?