The Prussians at Waterloo.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue I, 2 January 1904, Page 53

The Prussians at Waterloo.

The Kaiser Wilhelm is possessed by a colossal egoism which manifests itself in every act and fact of his public life. But it is doubtful if he ever gave a more striking exhibition of his sublime confidence in himself and his nation than when he publicly proclaimed that the Germans won the battle of Waterloo. In a recent speech to the army the Kaiser remarked that the German Legion, along with Blucher’s troops, rescued the English army from destruction at Waterloo. Without claiming to criticise the Kaiser's profound knowledge of military history, we. may suggest that it has always been hitherto understood that the Gorman Legion formed but an insignificant part of the allied forces under Wellington, and that Blucher’s army did not reach

the field till the battle was practically won. Napoleon’s attack began a little after 11 o’clock in the morning: the advanced guard of Blucher’s force did not appear till about 4 p.m. Up to b p.ni. the British troopa alone withstood the furious onslaughts of the French cavalry; and it was then that the certainty of the nearness of Blucher's main body drove Napoleon to risk all with the final charge of the Imperial Guard. This attack was in turn repulsed; and Wcl lington, now for the first time in touch with Blucher, ordered a general advance against the French. It would be unworthy to ignore or to depreciate the meritorious part played by Blucher and his troops during the Waterloo campaign. But they were badly beaten at Ligny two days before the great fight, and it was only by great exertions that they reached Waterloo iu time to assist in the closing scenes of the battle. Strategically, the probability of support from Blucher helped Wellington to decide upon making a stand at Waterloo, while the knowledge of the proximity of the Prussians certainly’ affe< ted Napoleon’s movements; and the arrival of Blucher’s troops at the close of the day completed the annihilation of Napoleon’s army. Lord Wolseley, who is notoriously an ardent admirer of German military prowess, goes so far as to say that “it was the splendid audacity of the Prussion move upon the French right, due to the personal loyalty of Prince Blucher to Wellington, that determined the fate of Napoleon’s army at Waterloo.” But as far as the actual fighting round Mont St. Jean and Hougomont and La Haye Sainte was concerned, the brunt of battle was borne by the British troops almost alone; and it was their splendid courage and invincible resolution that won the fight. All this is ancient history, of course, to everybody but Kaiser Wilhelm; but it it a little hard that the Germans, afterappropriating a large share of British trade and borrowing the British navy to collect their debts, should want to rob us of the credit of winning the battle of Waterloo.