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1. paulus
   Member

   Hi lads...I need a bit of feedback on this?

   Napoleon's decision to attack in Belgium was supported by several considerations. First, he had learned that the British and Prussian armies were widely dispersed and might be defeated in detail. Also, the British troops in Belgium were largely second-line troops; most of the veterans of the Peninsular War had been sent to America to fight the War of 1812.

   as we all know Napoleon considered the Prussians the greater threat, and so moved against them first with the right wing of the Army of the North and the Reserves.

   What would have happened if he had attacked Wellington first! and the main assault would have come through Mons. would he have left a holding force to screen the Prussians :D and would Wellington have been truely Humbugged and had to fight on terrain not of his choosing :D

   I'm thinking about this scenario for our Xmas Napoleonic Bash....so if any of you Historically minded chaps have any ideas please post your views :D

   The Emperor :D

   

   Posted 5 months ago #

2. Biggreenbugeyedmonster
   Member

   The 'British' troops in Belgium were not "largely second-line troops". The eight KGL battalions were still together, pending their return to Hanover. A large number of what Wellington described as his "old Spanish infantry" British battalions had not yet been reduced down to peacetime cadres (or sent to America) and these were still together when Napoleon returned. These 14 ex-Peninsula battalions made up 3rd (Adam's), 8th (Kempt's), 9th (Pack's) and 10th (Lambert's) British Brigades, which of course formed the centre of Wellington's army at Waterloo. From their muster rolls we know that they were extremely experienced troops. In 1/42nd Black Watch at Waterloo, for example, the average private had almost a decade with the colours. Wellington's opinion was that "the old infantry that have fought in Spain" were "the best infantry in the world". The four battalions in Halkett's 5th British Brigade were significantly less experienced (with only limited action at Bergen Op-Zoom in 1814), but they were hardly "second-line". The other four British battalions were Guards, who while inexperienced were not really "second rate" troops.

   Given that Wellington only fought at Waterloo with the expectation of Prussian support, Wellington would have simply fallen back until the Prussians arrived.

   Posted 5 months ago #

3. paulus
   Member

   Cheers Mr Biggreen ....but could the Brits actually have fallen back? surely the French Cavalry could have pinned and forced them to battle:)....at Waterloo Napoleon on form would have licked the Brits and then turned on the Prussians. In the Hundred days campaign Napoleon and his generals did make plenty of mistakes.

   I'm working on this what if scenario at the moment so thanks for the input:)

   cheers Paul:)

   Posted 5 months ago #

4. Mycenius
   Member

   Quick Thoughts - I believe Wellington & Allies had deployed (or dispersed) initially based on an expectation Napoleon would most likely attack through Mons. Hence he had his better troops screening the right side of his frontage, and if the French had attacked there initially he likely would have responded more rapidly and decisively than he did at Quatre Bras as it would have been "what he expected" from Napoleon - he'd likely have formed on a blocking position temporarily but only to cover his withdrawal towards Brussels as Paul said above - as a major fear was a French advance through Mons and round Brussels cutting him off from the Dutch ports... So at best maybe you get a partial QB type action at Soignies or thereabouts with a mainly British force supported by elements of 2nd Netherlands Division fight a part day delaying action - before retiring on Brussels.

   Also I think Napoleon chose his route because if he went via Mons it was too big a distance to send troops after the Prussians as well - he'd never countenance such a splitting of his forces when he only had the one field army to achieve a decisive result. So the Prussians would march unhindered on Brussels which Nappie desperately tried to entice Wellington to fight facing the entire Armee du Nord. Since the Prussians were by far and away the most motivated and energetic of the 3 armies I'd suspect Nappie would have maybe had 3 days to achieve something before the leading Prussian troops were approaching Brussels.

   Even allowing a delay for the Prussians to begin their march, the fact they would have a shorter unhindered route (no meaningful French opposition) means they'd have reached Brussels maybe later on the 18th - a similar timing to reaching Waterloo via a circuitous route through Ligny. And say Old Nosey had fought a partial delaying action Nappie would probably have started the 18th maybe still 10 miles or so from Brussels at the very best with his army still strung out over 20 miles of roads, etc.

   Posted 5 months ago #

5. paulus
   Member

   Cheers John.....a nice view point:)....

   so a possible delying action by the Brits?....the game will be played on the 29th december....I'll try and post some pics and a battle report!

   Paul:)

   now I;ve got to sot out a few random events? and decide on the weather conditions:)

   Posted 5 months ago #

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