"The Campaign of 1815." Topic

""The campaign of 1815" is a comprehensive and unique source study of Napoleon's last campaign, written and published by Pierre de Wit. It has been compiled from hundreds of sources from archives and other collections from all the nations which were involved in this iconic campaign. It comprises a series of nine volumes plus an atlas, which will be published in a very limited edition between 2022 and 2025. Considering its very limited edition, the full series will not be available as one purchase from 2025 onwards, but all individual volumes are an absolute must-have for anyone with a strong interest in this campaign…"

See here

link

Armand

Do you think that the 1815 campaign/Waterloo is the most written about preWWII campaign in history? Or are there others that may rival it – Little Bighorn, Gettysburg? Chaco War?

So…you are not interested? (smile)

Armand

Armand – one book to add to my ever growing would-like-to-buy list is bad enough but 10 titles!

Guess I'll have to keep doing the lottery!

Good post anyway. Keep them coming!

Sorry and happy for that my good friend… (smile)

Armand

"..Little Bighorn, Gettysburg? Chaco War?"
Tell me you're American without telling me you're American.

(smile)

Armand

Napoleon's Heavy Cavalry: Uniforms and Equipment of the Cuirassiers and Carabiniers, 1805-1815

link

Armand

Aren't Waterloo and Gettysburg the same battle. Large frontal assults, no serious attempts to outflank. Lee and Napoleon's worst performances?

Waterloo maybe the worst war film whereas Gettysburg maybe the best?

(smile)

Armand

I suspect de Wit's ten volumes will be "the last word" on 1815 (well until the next "The Incredible Secret now revealed" style book).

Only up to Waterloo about 4pm at the moment, the rest likely out next year. Individual volumes are not that expensive and this author has a great track record for primary research into the campaign. Much of his work used to be freely available on-line, but one cannot blame him for trying to make a few bob now.

Waterloo is not the worst film. ("Napoleon" takes some beating for that.) What it does represent is a massively missed opportunity, with all the facilities granted to the director. Sergei had his style and nothing was going to change that

Thanks my good friend…

Armand

I can't say Waterloo was Napoleon's worst performance.
Shortly after the battle had started he realized he had walked into a trap, riskily plotted by his two opponent armies. It's fair to say much of his distraction was caused by the oncoming Prussian army. However, the battle against Wellington's army was almost victorious. Shortly before 6 pm, a Prussian officer sent ahead to monitor the situation in Wellington's centre was convinced enough to report back to the Prussian I Corps advance guard commander that Wellington's army was on the verge of caving in, and an hour later, Gen.Vivian. the first of two British cavalry brigade commanders moving from the left flank to reinforce the centre, stated in his memoir that he thought he had just arrived in time to cover a general withdrawal.

So, not withstanding the late battle start or Grouchy's far-off deployment, it was only the Prussians surprise arrival halfway into the battle that really ruined what was going to be a French victory even if very costly.

The movie Waterloo indeed had its big flaws, but it's a cult-favourite in these times in the Napoleonic community. The 2023 movie 'NAPOLEON' with its fantasy/make believe battle scenes on the other hand is almost universally denounced as the worst movie-tripe in the Napoleonic docudrama genre.

So, not withstanding the late battle start or Grouchy's far-off deployment, it was only the Prussians surprise arrival halfway into the battle that really ruined what was going to be a French victory even if very costly.

Really?

I have got one of these books and it is very good.
I used to follow his website, he did a lot of work on our behalf

Much of it was once on line, as you say, and quite superb. One cannot blame him now for trying to make a few bob out of his work.

The research is quite incredible. See the evidence for LHS roofs being tiled for example, the history of LBAll, the role of La Garde 12pdrs on the big day. Expensive for the whole set, dat's fer sure

Thanks!

Armand