In four richly illustrated volumes we present the most complete history of the Dutch-Belgian field army in what popular became known as the Waterloo campaign of 1815.
Volume One will take you through the months this army was first mobilised halfway March 1815 and prepared itself for both offensive and defensive operations for the oncoming war right up to the first day of the outbreak of war on 15 June, where we present the most detailed description of the fighting south of Quatre Bras, in and around the hamlet of Frasnes between the Red Lancers and a Nassau battalion supported with a horse artillery battery. Volume Two is entirely dedicated to the Battle of Quatre Bras, where we look primarily to the role of the Dutch-Belgian and Nassau forces engaged on this day. Volume Three deals first with the retreat of the Dutch-Belgians on 17 June from both Quatre Bras and the other forces located around Nivelles, after which we deal with every division and their role during the Battle of Waterloo, as well as the troops under the command of Prince Frederik positioned at Halle. Volume Four (due for 2019) will deal with the invasion of France, the sieges and observation of several towns in northern France and the occupation period, before the field army finally marched home in December 1815 and was disbanded.
What makes these volumes so special, is that they are based on what was thought to be the lost official army papers, reports and private memoirs. Instead, after more than a decade of research in numerous archives, we were able to retrieve all army related papers, such as reports and daily records & orders from field headquarters down to the company level. Likewise we were able to retrieve more than 100 private accounts from Dutch-Belgian generals, officers and the lower ranks, from which we lavishly quote in each volume.
We invite you to learn more about our publications and purchase these online through our Books page. Updates on our research can be followed on the News page.
Allegory on the triumphant victory of the Prince of Orange, hero of Waterloo (by Cornelis van Cuylenburg, 1815; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)