What is this event
about ?
This event commemorates
the famous Battle of Waterloo which took place in June 1815.
Event organisation
The Battle of Waterloo
has an official
website.
Anniversary of the
battle of Waterloo
18 and 19 June 2009
A foretaste of the great weekend of the re-enactment, starting on 18 June,
the anniversary of the
battle. Special programmes on the Battlefield of Waterloo: cannon fi rings,
fanfares, setting up the
bivouacs… From 9.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m.
Re-enactment of bivouacs and battles
Saturday, 20 June
9 a.m: opening of the two bivouacs (French troops and allied troops).
10.30 a.m: inauguration of the event of the Last GQ of Napoleon.
1 p.m: lunch of Napoleon and his general staff at the Last GQ.
6 p.m: closing of the bivouacs.
6.45 p.m: departure of the troops to Plancenoit (Lasne).
8-10 p.m: battle at Plancenoit between the troops.
Sunday, 21 June
8 a.m: opening of the ticket office.
9 a.m: opening of the grandstand.
9.30 a.m: first troop movements.
10 a.m – midday: re-enactment of the Battle on Hougoumont (with grandstand).
midday – 1 p.m: parade of the troops at the Lion Hamlet in Waterloo.
2 p.m: grand banquet at the Hameau du Lion (booking required).
2 p.m: visit to the bivouacs being dismantled.
2 p.m – 6 p.m: historic events in the Lion Hamlet.
6 p.m: closing of the event.
Above 1 200 soldiers
in uniform will coming from 12 countries: Germany, Belgium, France,
Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherland, Rumania, Russian,
Switzerland, Czech Republic and Ukraine.
Plancenoit’s
fights
On Saturday June 20, the Plancenoit’s fights will take place. Troops
will leave their bivouacs of the Dernier Quartier Général de
Napoléon and the Hougoumont’s farm to reach Plancenoit.
At 8 p.m, the battle will get under way between Allied and French troops on
the fields near the Place du village. At about 9.30 p.m, all the troops will
reach the Place de Plancenoit for the final fight.
The Hougoumont battle
On Sunday June 21, the battles in the fields near the Hougoumont’s farm
(Braine- l’Alleud) will take place between Allied and French troops.
Fighting will begin at 10 a.m and end around midday. Troops will sound the
retreat to the Hameau du Lion.
Seats in the grandstand to attend this real show under exceptional conditions
are available this year.
Re-enactors
The artillerymen
of the Citadel of Namur
This group represents a team of artillerymen from the Napoleonic era which
provides service for a four-pound field cannon, as it was used in all the campaigns
of the empire.
It is primarily the historical and technical aspects of the artillery that
fascinate the members of the association. That is why they published, in 2000,
a work on Gribeauval explaining the genius of the man and the use of the four-pound
gun with numerous photographs. In parallel to this research, they are concerned
with the uniforms of artillerymen and the improvement of the materials of their
cannon. This group has been recognised by the Royal Museum of the Army and
Military History of Belgium, and has a solid reputation in the milieu of re-enactment.
Discover their Internet site.
Why the 3rd
company of the 8th Artillery Regiment to foot of the line?
This company was assigned to the rear-guard of the army of Grouchy which left
the area of Wavre at the following day of the battle of Waterloo to join the
place of Givet. The passage to Namur of this important troop of 33.000 men
lasted from June 19 at 5 p.m. at June 20 at the beginning of evening. Taken
pity for these overcome soldiers, the Namurian ones looked after them and nourished,
and the municipality made distribute 100.000 rations of bread and brandy.
June 20, at the end of the afternoon, the artillerists of the 3rd company,
out of battery with the door of Brussels, delivered with bravery an ultimate
combat against the Prussians, to make it possible the last French regiments
to leave the city by the door of the Plant. The population supports them and
of former soldiers help them. Finally, around 6 p.m., while they harness the
horses to be folded up in their turn, it is civil Namurian, Albert-François
Modave which points the last blow of gun, before regaining its residence peacefully
while skirting the ramparts...
The historical re-enactment group
Our group represents a team of artillerists of this time and ensures the service
of a field gun of 4 books, system of Gribeauval, such as it was used in all
the campaigns of the Empire.
There does not exist any more in Europe but 2 specimens of this gun, which
are preserved at the Museum of the sedentary Gunners of Lille. The "Namurian" part
is a meticulous reconstitution, similar in its least details to the original.
It is composed of a bronze tube of 300 kg, assembled on a mounting with double
flasks, and of a front-axle unit equipped with a long tiller making it possible
to harness there two or four horses. The unit weighs more than one ton.
In addition to animations with the citadel of Namur in July and August, the
artillerists take part in reconstitutions historical in Belgium but also in
Europe like at days demonstrations and teaching (for the schools). The group
works with museums for exposures or inaugurations having milked with artillery
or the army of the 1st Empire. The gun also took part in turnings of film and
telefilm for the BBC and the VRT.
But it is mainly the historical and technical aspect of the artillery which
impassions the members of association. Thus we published, in 2000, a work on
Gribeauval explaining the genius of this man and the use of the part of 4 books
through many photographs. We currently carry out research on the route of the
3rd company of the 8th Artillery Regiment during the countryside of Belgium
(1815) and we try to determine the road followed by the keys of the town of
Namur (carries from Brussels) EMcarried at the evening of June 20 by the French
soldiers and currently preserved in a museum of Nancy. During this research,
other members occupy themselves of the aspect uniformology of the artillerist
and the improvement of the material of our gun.
Our group is recognized by the Museum Royal of the Army and Military History
of Belgium, and has a solid reputation in the medium of the reconstitution.
The 7th Regiment of Cuirassiers
The 7th Regiment of Cuirassiers is a group of riders who are devotees, from
different angles, of the era of Napoleon I. They have undertaken to re-enact
the bivouacs and battles of the time. Their objective is always to achieve
perfection in the uniform and their behaviour in order better to give deserved
homage to this generation of courageous women and men.
Discover their Internet site
The 10th Squadron of Light Cavalrymen of the Imperial Guard
The 10th Squadron is an association created on 2 December 1988 by enthusiasts
for the history of the First Empire. It brings together collectors, historians
and riders who want to revive the traditions of the most prestigious Regiment
of the Grande Armée. The number one association of cavalry re-enactment
concerning the First Empire in the number of members, it is also the oldest.
The regiment was the personal escort and honour guard of the Emperor Napoleon
I. A service platoon accompanied the Emperor in all his movements at the court
and on campaign. The Regiment distinguished itself on all the battlefields
from Austerlitz to Waterloo, including in Spain and Russia. It entered into
the Napoleonic legend; it is seen represented on the majority of paintings
where the Emperor appears and it is known throughout the world.
Discover their Internet site
The 2nd Regiment of Dragoons
Created in 1993, the group has become the largest troop of Napoleonic cavalry
in Belgium. The majority live in the region of Waterloo-Brussels. Supervised
by professionals, they are all riders perfectly at ease in the difficult conditions
specific to re-enactments. Some of them also have very extensive historical
knowledge. In conformity with the customs of the time, all have received a
nickname. Our regiment includes one Colonel, one Lieutenant, one staff sergeant,
three trumpeters and eight dragoons, not counting the reserves.
Discover their Internet site
The 1st Regiment of Light Infantrymen of the Guard
The Light Infantrymen of Ligny are a group inspired by history created in 1966
following the first Napoleonic Days in 1965. This is the reconstruction of
a very loyal company of one of the first battalions that was connected forever
with direct service to the Emperor and with the Napoleonic epic, the most glorious
part of which they experienced. The Light Infantrymen of Ligny have criss-crossed
Europe. They are distinguished by their impeccable dress, their sense of discipline,
and the beauty and the faithfulness of their uniforms. They open and lead Napoleonic
Days and pay their respects at religious services and at commemorative monuments.
Discover their Internet site
The Belgian 7th Infantry Battalion of the Line
The Belgian 7th Infantry Battalion of the Line is the largest (and one of the
only) group of Allied re-enacters in Belgium. Founded by a few men and women
devoted to Napoleonic history, it has recruited the majority of its soldiers
in Flanders and in the Brussels Region.
It is with respect for the Belgian participation in the Allied army of 1815
that it was decided to revive this Battalion. In complete formation (with the
participation of the Dutch units), it represents all the units present in the
Van Bijlandt Brigade, a part of the Allied left flank on 18 June 1815. Here
you will find re-enacters playing soldiers of the Line and flankers, as well
as a field Surgery unit and canteen women.
The 2nd
Battalion 95th Rifles
This group was formed in 1998. Some of the members already had several years
of experience in re-enactments behind them. All their uniforms and equipment
have been produced starting from existing original pieces.
Bringing history alive is a very important part, and sometimes soldiers spent
more time in bivouac than on the battlefield. It is also important to give
women and children the possibility of recreating the way of life of the family
of a Napoleonic soldier. Each dish and drink is prepared from recipes of the
time and cooked at a large hearth that becomes the heart of the field.
Location
Waterloo Battlefield
– Lion Hamlet
Route du Lion 315 – B-1410 Waterloo
Chaussée de Bruxelles (N5)
66 - B - 1472 Genappe
Tél. : +32.2.385.19.12
www.waterloo1815.be
Location:
20 minutes away from Bruxelles
Access: :
- By road: Ring Est, junction 25
- From the centre of Brussels, bus route 365
- Train: Brussels- Charleroi line
Parking :
A vast car-park is available at the Site.
Parking spaces are reserved for the persons with reduced mobility.
Personal note
I attended the event
on Sunday, 21 June: the Battle of Hougoumont.
The event begins with a foot march of four kilometers from Plancenoit to the
Hougoumont farm (the same march occured after the battle in the opposite side),
it was a great opportunity to talk with re-enactors and to meet the Emperor.
This was a marvellous experience to meet people re-enacting the Napoleonic
ages, the sole drawback was the weather conditions, it was quite rainy from
time to time during and after the battle.
A wise safety precaution is to wear ear protection due to high sound level
of artillery fires.
After the return march it was also possible to visit the "Caillou",
a museum showing the place where Napoleon slept during the night preceeding
the Battle of Mont Saint Jean/Waterloo.
A Swedish website
of interest for Napoleonic re-enactors
Pro
Historia with photos.
"By knowing our past, we may easier understand our
present, and maybe even prepare for the future".
