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→June 18th
[[Image:map-6.jpg]]
[[Image:map-6.jpg]]
===Wellington's deployment===
Wellington worked his normal deployment using reverse slopes to hide the majority of his units behind the crest of the ridge that defined the British position. In addition he fortified the farm house complexe of Le Haye Saint in front of his position to the right of his line. The left of the line was held by the fortified positions of Hougoumont and Papelotte. This secured the road by which Wellington expected the Prussian to arrive.<ref>Barbero, p.141, p.235</ref>
===The battle begins===
Wellington's dispatches give the start of the battle at 10am other sources would have it at 1130am. (This will be a recurring issue throughout the battle with the actual time of events being disputed by the participents as well as by later historians.)<ref>[[Arthur Wellesley|Wellesley, Arthur]] [http://www.wtj.com/archives/wellington/1815_06f.htm Wellington's Dispatches] [[19 June]] [[1815]] </ref>
===The arrival of the Prussians IV Corps: Plancenoit===
===The arrival of the Prussians IV Corps: Plancenoit===
The first Prussian corp to arrive was the IV Corps and its objective was Plancenoit as a launch point into the rear of the French positions. It was Blücher's intention to secure his left upon Frichermont using the Bois de Paris road. <ref name=Hofschroer-116>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 116</ref> Blücher and Wellington had been exchanging communications since 10:00 and had agreed to this advance on Frichermont if Wellington's centre was under attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-95>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 95</ref><ref>Chasney, Waterloo Lectures p-165</ref> General Bülow noted that Plancenoit lay open and that the time was 16:30.<ref name=Hofschroer-116/> At about this time the 15th Brigade IV Corps linked up with the Nassauers of Wellington's left flank with the brigade artillery, horse artillery deployed to the left in support.<ref name=Hofschroer-117>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 117</ref> Napoleon sent Lobau's Division to intercept Bülow's IV Corps. Therefore Napoleon sent his 10-battalion-strong Young Guard to beat the Prussians back. The 15th Brigade threw Lobau's troops out of Frichermont with a determined bayonet charge. The 15th proceeded up the Frichermont heights battering French Chasseurs with 12 pounder artillery fire and pushed on to Plancenoit. Napoleon had dispatched the entire 8 battalions of Young Guard and 2 battalions of the Old Guard to reinforce Lobau's Division. Hiller's 16th Brigade had 6 battalions available and pushed forward to attempt to take Plancenoit. The Young Guard counter-attacked and after very hard fighting, the Young Guard recaptured Plancenoit but were themselves counter-attacked and driven out.<ref name=Hofschroer-122>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 122</ref> Napoleon sent two battalions of the Old Guard and after ferocious bayonet fighting - they did not deign to fire their muskets - they recaptured the village.<ref name=Hofschroer-122/> The dogged Prussians were still not beaten, and approximately 30,000 troops under Bülow and Pirch attacked Plancenoit again. It was defended by 20,000 Frenchmen in and around the village.
The first Prussian corp to arrive was the IV Corps and its objective was Plancenoit as a launch point into the rear of the French positions. It was Blücher's intention to secure his left upon Frichermont using the Bois de Paris road. <ref name=Hofschroer-116>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 116</ref> Blücher and Wellington had been exchanging communications since 10:00 and had agreed to this advance on Frichermont if Wellington's centre was under attack.<ref name=Hofschroer-95>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 95</ref><ref>Chasney, Waterloo Lectures p-165</ref> General Bülow noted that Plancenoit lay open and that the time was 16:30.<ref name=Hofschroer-116/> At about this time the 15th Brigade IV Corps linked up with the Nassauers of Wellington's left flank with the brigade artillery, horse artillery deployed to the left in support.<ref name=Hofschroer-117>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 117</ref> Napoleon sent Lobau's Division to intercept Bülow's IV Corps. Therefore Napoleon sent his 10-battalion-strong Young Guard to beat the Prussians back. The 15th Brigade threw Lobau's troops out of Frichermont with a determined bayonet charge. The 15th proceeded up the Frichermont heights battering French Chasseurs with 12 pounder artillery fire and pushed on to Plancenoit. Napoleon had dispatched the entire 8 battalions of Young Guard and 2 battalions of the Old Guard to reinforce Lobau's Division. Hiller's 16th Brigade had 6 battalions available and pushed forward to attempt to take Plancenoit. The Young Guard counter-attacked and after very hard fighting, the Young Guard recaptured Plancenoit but were themselves counter-attacked and driven out.<ref name=Hofschroer-122>Hofschröer [[#References|References]] p. 122</ref> Napoleon sent two battalions of the Old Guard and after ferocious bayonet fighting - they did not deign to fire their muskets - they recaptured the village.<ref name=Hofschroer-122/> The dogged Prussians were still not beaten, and approximately 30,000 troops under Bülow and Pirch attacked Plancenoit again. It was defended by 20,000 Frenchmen in and around the village.