4th Cuirassier | 17 Oct 2021 4:38 p.m. PST |
Unearthed: the real story of the Royal Waggon Train's Waterloo heroics An archeology project involving veterans, who have produced a spectacular diorama, has shone new light on history link |
42flanker | 18 Oct 2021 2:15 a.m. PST |
A little hard on the drivers who made that dash: "Now we know [the hollow way] is six feet deep it changes the understanding of the battle. It suddenly makes the hollow way a significant defensive feature. "Sadly for the [Royal] Waggon Train it means their eleventh-hour dash with the ammunition resupply was about 99 per cent under cover from fire. It's not quite the story that has evolved." "The real story"? What was it exactly about the term 'hollow way,' I wonder, that Mr Evans, director of Waterloo Uncovered, hadn't understood? What do they think was the headroom of a tumbril and team, anyway? The wagons still had to make their way forward under fire and a six-foot-deep lane hardly offered "99%" protection from either shot or shell. Who knew when a troop of chevaux legers might not emerge from the smoke to ruin their day? "changes the understanding of the battle"? A worthy project but this is just puff. |
ConnaughtRanger | 18 Oct 2021 9:08 a.m. PST |
If it's a Waterloo story, it has to be "controversial". "Hollow Way" has always seemed blindingly obvious to me – and it took guts to drive a wagon full of ammunition into the middle of a major action. But that's history and history doesn't make headlines these days. |
deadhead | 18 Oct 2021 11:19 a.m. PST |
I thought it was a shame that the Daily Torygraph article heading concentrated on the Hollow Way issue more than the Waterloo Uncovered project or W Remodelled. But they did reproduce a marvelous image of the model of Plancenoit and in a sizeable format too. I wish they had said that the NAM exhibition is a very transient thing for now. But any publicity etc…… I could not agree more that a deeper Hollow Way does not detract from the heroism of sitting on top of an early 19th C ammo wagon. Imagine how inflammable/explosive that was compared with modern cartridges. Plus that covered section only went so far. The final drive was through the North Gate into a burning farmyard with sparks flying around I assume. It is worth remembering how journalists report what was said to them, to sensationalise their articles. It has always been said that the Hollow Way was pivotal to all reinforcement of Hgmt, even though now there is hardly a trace of it. Blame those farmers with their desire to make a living. What WU did was to excavate and find the original surface still there and that I would love to see one day, when we can all travel freely once more. |
Allan F Mountford | 18 Oct 2021 1:34 p.m. PST |
I will be interested to look at the archaeological data. As an aside, 'Of Hedges, Myths and Memories: A historical reappraisal of the château/ferme d'Hougoumont, Battlefield of Waterloo, Belgium, Alasdair White FHEA FINS' contains a wealth of information about the topography. A Google search should locate a free download. |
forrester | 18 Oct 2021 3:00 p.m. PST |
Hollow way or not, its certainly not something a wagon driver signs up for. |
Captain Siborne | 18 Oct 2021 10:22 p.m. PST |
As the architect of this project, I am obviously pleased about the picture in the Telegraph, although somewhat baffled by the focus on the Hollow Way. The Hougoumont section of the diorama contains the chateau, the farm buildings, half the wood, the formal garden, the Great and Small orchards and the lesser kitchen gardens. However, the one thing it doesn't include is the Hollow Way, which lies to the north of that which has been completed so far. It will be done in due course, but isn't on the model at the moment. So it's a bit of a mystery to me how the article focussed on this! |
Allan F Mountford | 19 Oct 2021 2:33 a.m. PST |
@Captain Siborne Thank you for the detail. What sources are you using for woodland areas? I am particularly interested in the Bois d'Hougoumont to the north of the chateau shown on the 1777 Ferraris map. |
4th Cuirassier | 19 Oct 2021 5:30 a.m. PST |
How does one get involved in your project, Captain? |
Captain Siborne | 27 Oct 2021 5:20 a.m. PST |
Hi Allan, you can listen to my lecture which details my sources at:https://www.crowdcast.io/e/waterlooinminiature Hi 4th Cuirassier, it would be great to get you involved. Please go on the Waterloo Uncovered website and use the Contact Us function – they will pass it on to me. Sorry not to pass on my email address, but keen for obvious reasons to protect it. |
Allan F Mountford | 27 Oct 2021 10:24 a.m. PST |
@Captain Siborne Thank you for the link and congratulations on an excellent presentation. |
42flanker | 27 Oct 2021 1:39 p.m. PST |
Indeed, a stimulating talk, generously illustrated with well selected and deftly wrangled (hallelujah) images. |