Return From Elba (1 Viewer)

As Ron says,fascinating stuff.I learn a lot on this forum its excellant.Thanks to all who provide info to us Nap novices.

Rob
 
OzDigger said:
I was refering to the previous clashes between the French cavalry and the Dutch/Belgian infantry in line formations rather than squares, in particular at Quatre Bras.

At Waterloo, the same Dutch Commander, Prince Willem of Orange, ordered the 5th & 8th KGL line battalions out of the square(s) to attack the French infantry at La Haye Sainte and these were cut to pieces by French Cavalry.
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It appears that the Prince of Orange didn't learn by his mistakes because two days earlier at the Battle of Quatre Bra a monumental blunder was perpetrated by him. Whilst Wellington was absent over on the eastern flank of the Allied line, Picton had formed four newly arrived regiments into square formation. The Prince then appeared and countermanded Picton's orders. He ordered four British regiments to reform into line. Moment’s later French heavy cavalry under the command of General Kellerman struck. The 69th Regiment were badly cut up and their King's colour captured, the first time a battalion under Wellington's direct command had ever lost its colours in battle. Their Regimental colour was saved thanks to the bravery of Christopher Clarke, a gentleman volunteer, who killed three cuirassiers and received 22 sabre wounds in the process. Clarke was later rewarded for his bravery with a commission in the Black Watch. The 33rd and the 73rd were also assailed but they fled to the safety of the Bossu Wood where they quickly rallied.


Jeff
 
OzDigger said:
I read that the mound at Waterloo was erected on the spot where Prince Willem of Orange was wounded, shame he didn't get taken out earlier as it would have saved a number of lives.
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King William I of the Netherlands ordered the construction of this monument in 1820, to commemorate bravery of his son, the prince of Orange, who was wounded here during the battle.
The construction started in 1824 and was finished in November 1826. The hill is the ideal place to have an overview over the entire surface of the battlefield. A total of 300.000 m³ of earth were moved to erect this (for its era) imposing monument. The earth was taken out of the fields between the "Haye Sainte" farm and the sunken lane behind which the Duke of Wellington had strategically positioned his troops.

I agree that Sharpe should have had a say in matters!

Jeff
 
aujj65 said:
It appears that the Prince of Orange didn't learn by his mistakes because two days earlier at the Battle of Quatre Bra a monumental blunder was perpetrated by him. Whilst Wellington was absent over on the eastern flank of the Allied line, Picton had formed four newly arrived regiments into square formation. The Prince then appeared and countermanded Picton's orders. He ordered four British regiments to reform into line. Moment’s later French heavy cavalry under the command of General Kellerman struck. The 69th Regiment were badly cut up and their King's colour captured, the first time a battalion under Wellington's direct command had ever lost its colours in battle. Their Regimental colour was saved thanks to the bravery of Christopher Clarke, a gentleman volunteer, who killed three cuirassiers and received 22 sabre wounds in the process. Clarke was later rewarded for his bravery with a commission in the Black Watch. The 33rd and the 73rd were also assailed but they fled to the safety of the Bossu Wood where they quickly rallied.


Jeff
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Jeff,Wow! I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!.Can you possibly tell me where i can read about C.Clarkes action,thanks in advance

Rob
 
Rob said:
Jeff,Wow! I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!.Can you possibly tell me where i can read about C.Clarkes action,thanks in advance

Rob
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Sorry Rob, don't know that one.
Perhaps a bit of Goooooogling later might dig up something.
Till then.
Regards

Jeff
 
Cheers Jeff,tried googling and Wiki but no luck yet.

Rob
 
aujj65 said:
King William I of the Netherlands ordered the construction of this monument in 1820, to commemorate bravery of his son, the prince of Orange, who was wounded here during the battle.
The construction started in 1824 and was finished in November 1826. The hill is the ideal place to have an overview over the entire surface of the battlefield. A total of 300.000 m³ of earth were moved to erect this (for its era) imposing monument. The earth was taken out of the fields between the "Haye Sainte" farm and the sunken lane behind which the Duke of Wellington had strategically positioned his troops.

I agree that Sharpe should have had a say in matters!

Jeff
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To further this story................ in 1826 after the monument was completed - the Duke of Wellington was invited to see it and visit the commemoration. The Duke said when seeing the monument : "My GOD look what they have done to my beautiful battlefield" - the Duke was non-impressed with the changes to the landscape that he so painstakingly picked out to fight Napoleon.
 
Yes,thats what i was thinking of.Thanks for the quote Ron.

Rob
 
Always here mate,always here!.Well almost always.;)

Rob
 
kilted vampire said:
SHARPE!!!!
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He could never fire straight............................just kidding :D

I really like that series too. Although it was always a dozen men to represent 100's of French Soldiers when they did battle scenes. Budget issues I guess.

Really good show. :)
 
Capitolron said:
He could never fire straight............................just kidding :D

I really like that series too. Although it was always a dozen men to represent 100's of French Soldiers when they did battle scenes. Budget issues I guess.

Really good show. :)
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I totally agree. Big fan of the books, ever since Cornwall started doing them and I can never wait until they get to paperback. When they released the first series of Sharpe, I was dissappointed - in the main, because the books vividly describe battles involving 10s of thousands of men, and the series shows 30 or 40.

As you say though, the budget for a TV series isn't like that of a major film release. I now take them as almost seperate entities to the books, which look at small scale skirmishes with a 'boy's own' type feel to them.

Anyway, he may not be able to shoot straight, but he can charge in to the middle of a French Column and capture one of those yellow chickens on a stick! :p (Sorry, couldn't help myself)

Simon
 
Do we know what date our new French Heavy Calvary is going to be released??? :confused:
 
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