Blucher fell for Napoleon's reputation for attacking on the flanks and weakened is center. And Napoleon charged for that weakened center. At the height of the battle, Blucher's horse was shot out from under him and has literally pinned under the thrashing screaming animal while French cavalry charged around him not one noticing the enemy commander could have been taken. Blucher's aid managed to literally butcher Blucher's horse sufficiently to allow him to escape get on another horse and arrive to his rear. Field Marschall Von Gneisenau (the one complaining about Wellington but agreeing to retreat to rejoin with the British) was a brilliant staff officer and organized a brilliant withdrawal of the five corps of the Prussian Army by having the Army literally turn itself inside out to allow for the fresher, uncommitted corps to lead the march while the bloodied corps took up the rear. When the Prussians crossed the Our river at Wavre, Von Gneisenau Knew Grouchy and Gerard were following them. He left Lieutenant General Von Zheithen to hold the single major bridge in the area at Wavre against Grouchy and Gerard. Von Zheithen had 18,000 men and asked for reinforcements. Von Gneisenau told Von Zheithen hold to the last man with what he had. Which he did. Blucher and Von Gneisenau arrived in the woods behind Napoleon at about 6 PM. They launched several attacks to capture the town of Plancenoit which threatened Napoleon's rear right flank. Napoleon was forced to send all of his Young Guard and part of his Middle Guard troops to hold the village, which fell at 7:30 PM. These reinforcements weakened his guard attack on Wellington's center which ultimately failed. AT the same time, Prussian Troops filled in on Wellington's left flank and aided in the collapse of the French Army. When the French broke and ran, the Prussians continued the pursuit of the French while the held the field at Waterloo. The arrival of the Prussians being late, actually was instrumental for ending the Napoleonic Era. If Napoleon had faced a combined Allied Army of Brits and Prussians, he would not have attacked and moved elsewhere extending his time as Emperor.
Blucher fell for Napoleon's reputation for attacking on the flanks and weakened is center. And Napoleon charged for that weakened center. At the height of the battle, Blucher's horse was shot out from under him and has literally pinned under the thrashing screaming animal while French cavalry charged around him not one noticing the enemy commander could have been taken. Blucher's aid managed to literally butcher Blucher's horse sufficiently to allow him to escape get on another horse and arrive to his rear. Field Marschall Von Gneisenau (the one complaining about Wellington but agreeing to retreat to rejoin with the British) was a brilliant staff officer and organized a brilliant withdrawal of the five corps of the Prussian Army by having the Army literally turn itself inside out to allow for the fresher, uncommitted corps to lead the march while the bloodied corps took up the rear. When the Prussians crossed the Our river at Wavre, Von Gneisenau Knew Grouchy and Gerard were following them. He left Lieutenant General Von Zheithen to hold the single major bridge in the area at Wavre against Grouchy and Gerard. Von Zheithen had 18,000 men and asked for reinforcements. Von Gneisenau told Von Zheithen hold to the last man with what he had. Which he did. Blucher and Von Gneisenau arrived in the woods behind Napoleon at about 6 PM. They launched several attacks to capture the town of Plancenoit which threatened Napoleon's rear right flank. Napoleon was forced to send all of his Young Guard and part of his Middle Guard troops to hold the village, which fell at 7:30 PM. These reinforcements weakened his guard attack on Wellington's center which ultimately failed. AT the same time, Prussian Troops filled in on Wellington's left flank and aided in the collapse of the French Army. When the French broke and ran, the Prussians continued the pursuit of the French while the held the field at Waterloo. The arrival of the Prussians being late, actually was instrumental for ending the Napoleonic Era. If Napoleon had faced a combined Allied Army of Brits and Prussians, he would not have attacked and moved elsewhere extending his time as Emperor.