Waterloo Remembered Day 9: The Forgotten Battle?

I was lucky in my re - enactment days, to be there several times before the hype - my last battle re - enactment was about 2004 ish, and then more in the Plancenoit area, first in about 1983 or 1984?

I camped at the real battle field once behind La Haye Sainte, or more memorial the camps directly in Le Caillou.

I was once lucky to march in full kit from Quatre Bras to le Caillou under the guidance of Bernard Coppens - and was quite surprised how close those two battle fields are. On the way at Genappe one can also see the house in which Duhesme died.

But forgotten places - maybe I overheard it

Planchnoit (as then written on some maps)

That will give you a very interesting perspective about the battle, without visiting this place you won't understand the battle at all.

La Papelotte

Seemingly unheard off, yet such an important place on Wellington's left flank, also very enlightening to visit.

Otherwise Belle Alliance is a not so attractive battle field as such, what a contrast to Loano, Montenotte, Rivoli - I am sure that those in Portugal and Spain must look spectacular was well.

One could tour easily Boney's first campaign in Italy, and apart from the battle fields enjoy nice scenery and excellent Italian wine and food of those regions.

As to who did plan this battle most - highly amusing, nobody, it was dictated by the need of Blücher's defeat at Ligny that Wellington had to fall back to keep in a position that would give the Prussians the chance to support his stand before Bruxelles.

So - it was a reaction of circumstances, both Wellington and Blücher agreed before the campaign to support each other, the Prussians - letter of the King to Gneisenau were very well admonished to co - operate with Wellington.