What if Marshal Bessières had supported Masséna properly in the battle? Would they (Wellington's army) have been overwhelmed and forced to retreat? Open question. Feel free to leave your thoughts below.
It shows up all the time, even in earlier campaigns, miserable failures resulted when much better results could be achieved it they had supported each other - but when the master is absent or fails to establish a clear cut hierarchy - a receipt for failure.
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'supported Masséna properly' - what are you envisaging Bessières doing over and above what he actually did? Sending/bringing more troops? Giving Masséna full control of the troops that he actually did bring? Something else?
It shows up all the time, even in earlier campaigns, miserable failures resulted when much better results could be achieved it they had supported each other - but when the master is absent or fails to establish a clear cut hierarchy - a receipt for failure.
I guess it depends on what you mean by 'supported Masséna properly' - what are you envisaging Bessières doing over and above what he actually did? Sending/bringing more troops? Giving Masséna full control of the troops that he actually did bring? Something else?