Episode 156 - the Battles of Wavre & Plancenoit, the sideshows of Waterloo, with special guest Graeme Callister

About this episode

This episode discusses the Battles of Wavre and Plancenoit, their significance in Napoleon's final campaign, and features guest Graeme Callister.

Battle of Wavre & Plancenoit (1815) | Napoleon’s Last Campaign & Grouchy’s Controversial Stand The Battle of Wavre , fought on 18–19 June 1815 , was the final major engagement of Napoleon’s Hundred Days and one of the most controversial battles of the Napoleonic Wars. While Napoleon faced Wellington at Waterloo , Marshal Grouchy fought the Prussian III Corps under General Thielmann near the town of Wavre in Belgium. Special guest & author Graeme Callister will explore how Grouchy, obeying Napoleon’s orders to pursue the Prussians after Ligny , became locked in a fierce battle just miles away from Waterloo—unable to influence the decisive struggle that ended the Napoleonic Era. We break down the strategy, key moments, and fighting along the River Dyle , and explain why Wavre remains central to the debate over Grouchy’s responsibility for Napoleon’s final defeat. Was the Battle of Wavre a missed opportunity , or did Grouchy do exactly what he was ordered to do? And could events at Wavre have changed the outcome at Waterloo? Battle of Plancenoit (1815) | The Fight That Decided Waterloo’s Right Flank The Battle of Plancenoit , fought on 18 June 1815 , was one of the most…

People in this episode

Host: John W. Viscardo

Guest: Graeme Callister

Topics covered

• Battles of Wavre and Plancenoit
• Napoleon's Last Campaign
• Grouchy's Controversial Stand
• Waterloo
• Prussian Forces
• Military Strategy

Keywords

• Battle of Wavre
• Battle of Plancenoit
• Napoleon
• Waterloo
• Grouchy
• Prussian III Corps
• military history
• Napoleonic Wars

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Belgium

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