Waterloo Remembered Day 9: The Forgotten Battle?

...and the inner coutyard of La Haye Sainte in 1985...

The church of Saint-Amand on the Ligny-battlefield seen from the south...

The old Ferme Gemioncourt at Quatre Bras...

Very interesting read... Here are some "old" photos I took when I first visited the battlefield in 1985...

La Haye Sainte...

I will have another look shortly, unfortunately very busy at present

On 13 April Gneisenau wrote to Wellington “...but you may, my Lord Duke, in the event of an attack, count on all of our available forces here, and we have decided to share the lot of the army under the orders of Your Excellency”, the original was in French of course “maid boys pouvez, my Lord Duc, en cas d’attaque, compter sur l’assistance de toutes nos forces disponsibles ici, et nous sommes décidés à partagerble sort de l’armée sous les ordres de Votre Excellence.” Supplementary Dispatches and Memoranda of Field Marshal Arthur, Duke of Wellington, KG page 70

I will find the source tomorrow

You are right that Wellington initially planned to stand at Quatre Bras on 17 June, but when he realised that he must retreat he went to his pre-chosen battlefield. The Prussian retreat on Wavre was specifically to maintain contact with Wellington as they knew where he planned to stand. Having informed the Prussians that he was retiring, there was no confusion of where he would fight (if supported)- they knew the location of the battle field without a major description of its location being sent

The fall back position of Wellington to stand at Mont St Jean was known and arranged before the campaign even began. The Prussians retreated, knowing exactly where Wellington would go. As to the comment by Wellington regarding 'they have ruined my battlefield'. Another Victor Hugo myth

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.

https://tabletopdeutschland.com/2019/08/26/ferme-du-caillou-napoleons-hauptquartier/

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.