Questions About Sharpe's Waterloo (Sharpe, #20)

by Bernard Cornwell (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (1)

Why did Napoleon lose the battle of Waterloo to the Duke of Wellington?

Frederic In 1815, after 20 years of war, no country outside France wanted Napoleon in power. Russia, Austria and others were arming to invade France and oust h…moreIn 1815, after 20 years of war, no country outside France wanted Napoleon in power. Russia, Austria and others were arming to invade France and oust him. The Prussian and Anglo-Dutch armies were the closest to France, so, as he usually did, Napoleon attacked them first, planning to drive them apart and beat them separately.

He made a lot of mistakes: underestimating the British infantry and Wellington, who he had never faced and giving weak subordinates (Ney, Grouchy, d'Erlon) major roles, yet leaving his best Marshal (Davout) behind in Paris.

Wellington, with his smaller and poorer quality army, had picked the ridge of Mont Saint Jean/Waterloo for defence and made a mutual support pact with Prussian Marshal Blücher, which made all the difference in the end.

French artillery was ineffective early due to rain. British infantry squares, protected from artillery on the reverse slope of a hill and buttressed by fortified farmhouses held off uncoordinated French attacks and Old Blücher came through, as agreed.

Even if he hadn't lost at Waterloo, Napoleon, like Hitler, had so alienated the rest of Europe that another group of armies from Britain, Austria or Russia would have overwhelmed him and France, eventually. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (2)

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I have read this book before at a library but what I found interesting was that how Daniel Hagman dies is different from the Novel, Harris unlike the episode does not feature in the novel, Hagman instead dies of his wounds at Waterloo in Sharpe's arms, Clayton dies in Sharpe's arms at Waterloo as well I believe, and Weller I think Weller survives Waterloo and is promoted to Sergeant,?

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