Should Napoleon have started earlier the battle of Waterloo?

Question

Most critics say he was defeated because he attacked to late the morning of Waterloo (11am), whereas he won at Austerlitz because he started the battle at seven in the morning. Why is this reproach nonsensical?

Answer 1

He couldn't because of the weather. Rains had made the fields too soggy to postion guns and do cavalry charges - the two key items of Napoleon's army. After the Sun had dried up the fields and made the clay less slippery things started.

Example: a Dutch batallion had to go up a hill early in the morning. It was so slippery they had to take of their boots and go up barefoot!

Answer 2

It is no more nonsencical theory than the french semi official one that Nappy lost the battle because of his hemerriods. The early start theory has this in its favour, if the french had begun the battle earlier Blucher would not have been able to reach the battlefield in time to throw his Prussians into the mix and discombobulate the french who had already been shocked into retreat by the fact that the old guard had retreated.The French still out numbered the allies, particularly since the belguim's had left. Napoleon may have been able to rally his army and drive the allies off the field and therefore would be able to face down the Prussian's and start them into a retreat back home. "Gnesanau" sic, Bluchers chief of staff didn't trust the British and felt the proper place for the Prussian army was defending Prussia. The story of his delaying tactics in getting his army back to Waterloo is a superb example of how to obey the letter of an order while completely ignoring the spirit. For one thing rather then sinply ordering an about face he had the army stand fast while the units at the front of the column worked their way their way through the column, form up and stand fast while the second unit performed the same maneuver. The fact that they got to Waterloo at all was a tribute to Prussian disciplne if nothing else. Actually I think Napoleonwould of lost what ever. After all the years of war I think that the French were just not interested, or had the heart to dig in and fight.They had lost to much to believe that restoring Napoleon would be a plus particularly since his return would mean more war

Answer 3

It's a historical fact that old Napoleon got on ze juice the night before, hence resulting in a late uprising of 11am, and resultant defeat. This whimsical decision making will bring a person to grief every time......not to mention severe nausea, headaches and dehydration.....despite feeling good at the time! The moral of the story is .....one will not win a battle wielding a tent pole, he thinks is a sword.....viva le France!(lol)

Answer 4

The reproach has merit the delay allowed gen von blucher time to reinforce gen wellington right at the last moments of the battle. if he had started earlier he'd of had 4 hours to regroup and hit wellington again it might have been one to many attacks for wellington to withstand.

Answer 5

After he won Austerlitz, he got tired and went home to take a nap, to restore his energy for another battle. But he forgot to set his alarm clock, and he overslept...?

Answer 6

Yes. Buy postponing the startof the battle it enabled Prussian reinforcements to arrive beat him. Wellington got lucky.

Answer 7

Yeah, like 6 months earlier when the ground wasn't so marshy, causing his canons to get bogged down prior to the battle.

Answer 8

Weather and field conditions prohibited an earlier attack. I agree with Gungir 100%.

Answer 9

He had been a hard headed on this one war. He had won all the war he had fought but not himself.

Answer 10

My understanding is that he should have brought some Preparation H.