The Wheat Fields of Mont St Jean

[kev7d]

Nearly 202 years ago the Battle of Waterloo took place where this very wheat was growing peacefully.

[Rick448]

Quite a sobering thought that. Are there many monuments etc relating to the battle there?

[kev7d]

If you are interested in this kind of thing, there is quite a bit to do. There are a good dew museums to visit. If not interested, you may get pretty bored!

I want to go back again as the attractions that I have not seen were so full at the time of my last visit on the 200th anniversary in 2015.

The French artillery attack:

 

[Rick448]

I find warfare in general interesting, though I think there was much more strategy involved in these battles than the more modern stuff. You couldn't exactly soften the enemy up with a dozen F16's before sending the ground troops. I've never really looked into this, but I guess the teamwork between the artillery, cavalry and foot soldiers was quite a skill. Unless the Field Marshal just shouted CHARGE! 

[kev7d]

Bonaparte was the complete strategist and was trained in the artillery. Yes, the relationship between the cavalry, infantry and artillery in the late 1700's and early 1800's was key. Bonaparte changed warfare. He created what became known as the Core. Each Core was self sufficient with a blended balance of cavalry, infantry and artillery. Each Core would March independently but would always be in reasonable proximity to the other Core groups. If the sound of guns were heard, each Core would March in the direction of the Canon to a massive effect. Each individual Core was faster in isolation. Napoleon created the forced March. Troops were trained to cover long distances in minimal time and surprise the allies. He would deploy his major tactic against the allies - beat one ally before they had time to join another ally. The allied forces were always greater in number. He would then turn on the remaining ally. He would always concentrate his force on the weakest part of the enemy line to break the line and out flank his opponents.