Belgium Campaign 1815

[Jacquinot]

Who knows how many 12pnd cannons was in Grand battary?

[bibouba]

the 3 battery of the guard. So in total: 18 canons of 12 pounds + 6 howitzers.

[thilio]

Yes after the order of 11hr but they belong to the reserves of the 1, 2 and 6th corps.
The guard was still in movement to reach the battery and from the following source, it's possible they never reach the battery....

http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/article/Waterloo__la_grande_batterie/11021709

[Alfiere]

Sorry , but i have not still understand where was palced the great battery.
If d'Erlon corps , looking at thilio historical map and enemy corp (near the main road),was at distance of 900 meters
how is possible hipothesis (post #57) that great battery placed at half way (500-600 meters)?
When all speaking of distance of 800 or also 1000 meters from enemy.
In addition , i do not see well thilio map , but seems there was a little road from Belle Alliance to Papelotte,to facilitate move the guns with muddy.
For me is 100 meter more advance d'Erlon corp or not?

[thilio]

Sorry , but i have not still understand where was palced the great battery.
If d'Erlon corps , looking at thilio historical map and enemy corp (near the main road),was at distance of 900 meters
how is possible hipothesis (post #57) that great battery placed at half way (500-600 meters)?
When all speaking of distance of 800 or also 1000 meters from enemy.
For me is 100 meter before d'Erlon corp or not?

As suggested in the link of the previous post, if the battery was placed 100 meters before d'Erlon's corps (which correspond to 800-1000 meters), most of the guns and even the 12 pdrs would never be able to hit the ennemy troops because the maximal  effective range was 900 for 12 pdrs and 700 for 6 pdrs.
It is suggested that most of the french authors placing the battery in front of d'Erlon's corps were wrong. The english authors often wrote the battery was much closer to their lines.

[Alfiere]

Thank for reply,(reference in french is not the best for me) ,but i have also read that shooting with great battery had a psycologic effetc on moral rather that effective damage for enemy.
Remains difficult to digest this hypothesis for me.
Anyway thank thilio.

[thilio]

The author gives also several references to english books that maybe we can find on internet.

[Alfiere]

I see good move art on little road near d'Erlon corp and move go down for 100 mt .
Also with muddy is easy move 1 ton of 12 pdrs in light decrease.

[Jacquinot]

Yes after the order of 11hr but they belong to the reserves of the 1, 2 and 6th corps.
The guard was still in movement to reach the battery and from the following source, it's possible they never reach the battery....

http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/article/Waterloo__la_grande_batterie/11021709

So, what cannons was in battary and how many? Distance 500-600m to English line i think its right.

[Jacquinot]

I read on Russian forum about Waterloo that d Erlons corps go in marsh columns about 500m where stand grand battary, grand battary stop fire that let through d Erlons infantry, after that d Erlons infantry form in columns to attack, the distance from enemy line which they must to overcome  was about 500-600m.

[Alfiere]

There are too many version.
Someone speak distance d'Erlon - enemy center 1200 mt.
Seeing thilio map seems 900 mt.
Someone speaking of great battery 1000 mt ,but also of 800 meters.
But there are hipothesis until 500-600 meters.
Where is the truth?
All are rilevance differences,because very close.
In practice everyone is free to make own deployment.
All is good.

[Jacquinot]

Im use GooglErth and found only one good place for grnd battary, but i dont know what lenghty was battary because i dont know how many guns was in battary and what distance must be between the guns that infantry can go through guns.
Your consideration guys.

[Alfiere]

Great work.
I have heard that a battery (8 guns) occupied a length of 100 mt.
But where is Belle Alliance in the pic ? in the down border ?
Someone speak of 80 guns , other of more 50 .
For 80 guns = 1000 mt    (single row)
For 50  guns =600-700 mt

[Jacquinot]

Great work.
I have heard that a battery (8 guns) occupied a length of 100 mt.
But where is Belle Alliance in the pic ? in the down border ?

Belle Alliance in the down boarder where crossroads.

[Alfiere]

But why not , the same line start from Belle Alliance ?
100 mt more in advance from d'Erlon Corp.
There are not good conditions?
You have not explained.
Only hipothesis is clear,only for discuss.