The battle of Waterloo 1815

• What year did the Battle of Waterloo take place?

  1815
• Who was the British commander at the Battle of Waterloo?

  The Duke of Wellington
• What was the outcome of the Battle of Waterloo?

  Napoleon Bonaparte's final defeat
• How did Wellington's leadership impact the battle?

  It proved decisive in the outcome
• What were the troop numbers for the British and French forces at Waterloo?

  • British and Allied: 67,000
  • French: 72,000 (approx)
• What was the significance of the battlefield's size?

  It was only about three miles across
• How did Wellington reduce damage from enemy artillery?

  He deployed his men behind a ridge
• What tactic did Wellington use to interrupt the French attack?

  He set up two positions on the flanks
• Where did Wellington conceal field artillery?

  In the village of Papelotte
• What were Wellington's defensive tactics at Waterloo?

  • Prepared to defend his position
  • Used squares for defense
  • Cannon on corners, infantry firing in rotation
  • Switched to attack at the right moment
  • Led troops into fierce fighting
• What was the role of cavalry in Wellington's strategy?

  To discourage desertion among troops
• What types of attacks did Napoleon use during the battle?

  Infantry columns, cavalry charges, heavy artillery
• How wide were Napoleon's infantry columns?

  200 men wide
• What was a disadvantage of Napoleon's infantry columns?

  They lacked firepower and were big targets
• How did Wellington's infantry squares function?

  Protected with muskets and bayonets
• What was the purpose of the field artillery during the battle?

  To protect the wounded and hold back cavalry
• What errors did Napoleon make during the battle?

  He delayed the start and mismanaged troops
• What condition affected Napoleon's ability to assess the battlefield?

  Suffering with piles and irritable
• How many men did Napoleon use to slow the Prussians?

  33,000 men
• What was the consequence of Napoleon's delayed attack due to muddy conditions?

  It allowed the British to prepare defenses
• What happened to a quarter of Napoleon's infantry during the battle?

  They were tied up in the attack on Hougoumont
• What could Napoleon have done late in the afternoon instead of launching another attack?

  He could have withdrawn