200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo

[CWulf]

Today is the 200[SUP]th[/SUP] anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. Congratulations to the British, Dutch, Belgian, German and Prussian troops (the Prussians never get enough credit for the victory). Casualties were enormous on both sides but the decisive nature of the battle ended the Napoleonic era and ushered in a long period of peace after decades of war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo

 

[noddaduma]

Ushered in Pax Britannica. Thanks for posting.

 

[CWulf]

Some of the Infantry Weapons used during the Battle

British (and most allied troops) -

Brown Bess Caliber .76, soft lead ball, range 80 yards, rate of fire 3-4 rounds a minute with good troops but inaccurate past 50 yards.



Baker Rifle Caliber .615, lead ball, range 250 yards, rate of fire 2 rounds per minute and very accurate. Used by the British 95th Rifle Regiment.



French

Model 1777 Musket - Caliber .69, soft lead ball, range 50-100 yards, rate of fire 3-4 rounds a minute with good troops.

 

[oldyankee]

Bernard Cornwell's just released historical novel, "Waterloo" is a good read on the battles.

 

[CWulf]

Bernard Cornwell's just released historical novel, "Waterloo" is a good read on the battles.

Yes, I just got that book a week ago. One of the last books in his Richard Sharpe series focuses on Waterloo as well... its a fun read.

 

[CWulf]

My nephew, 'Little Nappy' is clearly appalled at the outcome of the engagement in Belgium.

 

[AllaSnackbah]

interesting read, i never read much european history after the american revolution. i should.

 

[Picton]

interesting read, i never read much european history after the american revolution. i should.

Yeah, I'm proud of the Americans who revolted, but reading about the Napoleonic Wars lets you know just what small potatoes the Revolution was from a military standpoint.

It'll also answer the nagging question ignored by American history texts: just how did we plucky Yanks manage to beat a top-tier global power during the War of 1812? Was it cool American generals like Jackson?

No. The Brits had been in a real war against all comers for nearly 20 years by that time. We were an absolute sideshow to them.

 

[CWulf]

interesting read, i never read much european history after the american revolution. i should.

There is an interesting connection to American history. One of the problems the Duke of Wellington had at Waterloo was that many of the veteran English regiments that had fought with him in Spain had been transferred to the Americas to fight the US in the War of 1812. Because of this many of the Dukes troops were raw recruits. And many of the Dukes veterans died before Jacksons defensive works at the Battle of New Orleans.