JBIronWorks
Scotland Forever!
“Our officers of cavalry have acquired a trick of galloping at everything. They never consider the situation, never think of manoeuvring before an enemy, and never keep back or provide a reserve.”
—Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington
The Charge of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo (as part of the greater charge of the British Heavy cavalry) on June 18, 1815, is one of the most famous in history. Initially in reserve for the battle, commanding officer Lt-Colonel James Hamilton ordered their charge on his own responsibility when he observed British infantry units beginning to fall back under the weight of the attacking French D'Erlon's Corps. Overall, the attack helped turn the tide in favor of the British and caused D’Erlon's attack to fail, but in what followed was a tragedy as the entire British calvary then charged forward towards the main French line. Having taken casualties, disorganized and their horses blown out, the Scots Greys and the rest of the Heavy Cavalry found themselves before the main French lines, were then raked by artillery and then surprised by a French counter-attack by their Polish lancers. The remnants retreated to the British lines, harried by the lancers. They eventually reformed, supporting the rest of the British line as best they could with carbine fire. In all, the Scots Greys suffered 104 dead, 97 wounded and 228 of their 416 horses killed. When they were finally reformed, the Scots Greys could only field two weakened squadrons, rather than the three complete ones with which they had begun the day.
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My first MOC of 2015, and one of several for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, 1815.
This is as close to the original painting, (done in 1881 by Lady Butler), as I think you can get, if I do say so myself. This is the full MOC. Hope you all like it! :)
Scotland Forever!
“Our officers of cavalry have acquired a trick of galloping at everything. They never consider the situation, never think of manoeuvring before an enemy, and never keep back or provide a reserve.”
—Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington
The Charge of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo (as part of the greater charge of the British Heavy cavalry) on June 18, 1815, is one of the most famous in history. Initially in reserve for the battle, commanding officer Lt-Colonel James Hamilton ordered their charge on his own responsibility when he observed British infantry units beginning to fall back under the weight of the attacking French D'Erlon's Corps. Overall, the attack helped turn the tide in favor of the British and caused D’Erlon's attack to fail, but in what followed was a tragedy as the entire British calvary then charged forward towards the main French line. Having taken casualties, disorganized and their horses blown out, the Scots Greys and the rest of the Heavy Cavalry found themselves before the main French lines, were then raked by artillery and then surprised by a French counter-attack by their Polish lancers. The remnants retreated to the British lines, harried by the lancers. They eventually reformed, supporting the rest of the British line as best they could with carbine fire. In all, the Scots Greys suffered 104 dead, 97 wounded and 228 of their 416 horses killed. When they were finally reformed, the Scots Greys could only field two weakened squadrons, rather than the three complete ones with which they had begun the day.
-------------------------------------------
My first MOC of 2015, and one of several for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, 1815.
This is as close to the original painting, (done in 1881 by Lady Butler), as I think you can get, if I do say so myself. This is the full MOC. Hope you all like it! :)