Page 51 - All About History - Issue 26-15

Waterloo: The Fall of Napoleon

severely weakened Wellington’s left flank. The fire at point-blank range, devastating Napoleon’s
duke needed reinforcements, and the Prussians ‘unbeatable’ force. For the first time in the history
were on their way. Napoleon knew that they were of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, the cry of “the guard
set to arrive at about 4.30pm. He had enough time is retreating!” rang through the field. The guard,
then, at the lull that occurred at 3pm, to withdraw Napoleon’s ace in the hole, had been defeated.
his forces and set up an appropriate defence for The effect was instant. The French hurried to
the oncoming attack. But Napoleon had never escape the field and Wellington threw his forces
been, in all his battles, whether personal or on the upon the retreating soldiers. Around the same time
battlefield, one to play it safe. He was a gambler. the Prussians had managed to recapture Plancenoit,
Instead of retreating, with the Prussians bearing and the Old Guard, who had been supporting the
down upon him, he ordered his men to do all French position there, joined the mass of troops
that they could to capture the La Haye Sainte and retreating in panic. What began as a defeat turned
ensure his victory. into a rout as the Prussian forces joined the fray,
The French threw everything they had at the lancing retreating Frenchmen in the back as
allied lines. The Grand Battery pounded them with retribution for the devastation they had felt at the
cannon fire and finally, between 6 and 6.30pm, hands of the French Empire. Knowing all was
the crucial farmhouse was in French possession. lost, Napoleon made an attempt to plunge himself
It seemed that Napoleon’s gamble had paid off. into the heart of enemy fire, but was prevented
Wellington’s attempts to retake the stronghold from doing so. Embittered, broken and defeated,
were easily repulsed and French artillery was Napoleon was spotted the next morning by one
quickly brought forward to the crucial position near of his officers, standing near a fire, with tears
Wellington’s central line. streaming down his face.
Everything now hung on the Napoleon had plenty of
Prussian reinforcements arriving opportunity to rally his troops
on time. Wellington knew that Napoleon to fight again. He had, after all,
without them, the battle was 117,000 men in his control in
lost; so did Napoleon. Myths Busted the north – but he did nothing.
The emperor’s men were Hetookastepbackinbattle Battles were fought and won by
stretched and tired. When Napoleonwasinvolvedinallaspectsof France, but not by Napoleon.
Marshal Ney, commanding battles–hedevisedplansanddirected Perhaps then he had realised
attacks. He kept good relations with
thearmyfromthefield,asked theultimatetruth–hecould
Napoleon himself was a master of armyunitsandreferredtoofficers
propaganda, and encouraged the Napoleon for more troops to andmanysoldiersbyname, winasmanybattlesasheliked,
myth that surrounded him inspiring great loyalty
deliver the killing blow, he was buthecouldnotwinthewar.
from troops.
said to have responded: “Troops! The united allied forces were too
Wheredoyouwantmetogetthem strong;hisownpositioninParistoo
from? Do you want me to make them?” In precarious. The campaign, he realised, was
reality, Napoleon thought it was more important lost before it even began. When Napoleon returned
to prolong the Prussian arrival to the battle. The toParisintheearlyhoursof21June,hewas
Prussians had been hammering the right flank warned that he was safer to remain with the army,
ofhisarmyinanattempttotakethevillageof buthebitterlyreplied:“TheblowIhavereceived
Plancenoit, and Napoleon knew that as long as the is mortal.” He dully asked for a meeting to build
Prussians were engaged there, he would have more anotherarmytosavethecountry.Whenthiswas
time to break Wellington’s centre. denied,hisresponsewasnothingbutalarming
This is when Napoleon decided to unleash his laughter.Thechamberofrepresentatives,perhaps
trump card, the force that had repeatedly turned stillalittlewaryofNapoleon’sholdoverhis
unwinnable battles in his favour – his Imperial followers, invited him to abdicate. Refusal, they told
Guard. Napoleon’s ‘Invincibles’ were fresh faced him, would mean deposition. Napoleon abdicated
and ready to fight. Wellington would later say that for the second and final time the following day.
Napoleon’s presence on the battlefield was worth AfterhelearnedofthePrussians’plansto
40,000soldiers–Napoleonwasabouttoputthatto capture him dead or alive, Napoleon fled the city
the test. He rode within 600 yards of Wellington’s and considered escaping to the United States.
lines to encourage his troops and salute their However, this plan proved impossible and instead
cries of “vive l’empereur!” The battalions formed Napoleon, clearly now a desperate man, sought
threelines,andwithmusicplaying,flagsflying asylum from his long-time enemies, the British.
andsalutingNapoleonastheypassed,theycame They responded by placing him on the island of
thunderingouttomeettheBritishcentralline. Saint Helena. Although he was still accompanied
Wellington’s cannons were ready to receive byabandofloyalfollowers,hisexilemarkedthe
them.Atsuchcloserangehugeholeswereripped endofNapoleon’sleadership.Hewasforcedtolive
in the French lines but the mighty guard rode on. outhisremainingdaysinthedecrepitanddamp
They continued through fields covered with the conditions of Longwood House. Within six years he
bodiesoftheirfallenallies.Thesightwasimposing, wasdead.Althoughhispassingmarkedtheendof © Alamy; Getty Images; Sol 90 Images
but Wellington’s men were waiting for them in the the conquests that had shaken the foundations of
longgrassbehindtheridge.AstheFrenchbroke theearth,itwasthebeginningofalegacythatstill
through the line, the allies leapt up and opened burns strongly to this day.
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