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 brutal and decisive struggles of the Battle of Waterloo. As Napoleon battled Wellington to the west, the fate of the French army hinged on this small Belgian village, where Prussian forces under General Bülow collided with Napoleon’s right flank.

This episode explores how Plancenoit became the last major French defensive stand of the Napoleonic Wars. We break down the savage house-to-house fighting, the repeated Prussian assaults, and Napoleon’s dramatic decision to commit the Young Guard and Old Guard to hold the village. Despite moments of French success, the fall of Plancenoit opened the road to Napoleon’s final defeat.Was Plancenoit the true turning point of Waterloo? And could holding the village longer have changed the outcome of the battle?

X/Twitter: @graemecallister, @andnapoleon

General Gerhard von Scharnhorst was the intellectual architect of Prussia’s military revival after its crushing 1806 defeat by Napoleon. In this video, special guest Ethan Soefje explores Scharnhorst’s revolutionary reforms, his role in transforming the Prussian Army, and how his ideas laid the foundations for modern warfare.

Discover how Scharnhorst ended aristocratic privilege, introduced merit-based advancement, reorganized training and education, and helped create the Prussian General Staff. We also examine his collaboration with figures like Gneisenau, Clausewitz, and Blücher, and his contributions during the War of Liberation (1813) against Napoleon.

From his early career as a theorist and officer to his fatal wounding at the Battle of Lützen, this video explains why Scharnhorst remains one of the most influential military reformers in European history.

X/Twitter: @andnapoleon

Discover the Top 15 most surprising moments of the Napoleonic Era—from unexpected battlefield reversals to political shocks that reshaped Europe forever. ⚔️🌍

In this video, we explore the events, decisions, and outcomes that defied expectations during the age of Napoleon Bonaparte, including shocking victories, disastrous miscalculations, underestimated people, and turning points that historians still debate today. Whether you’re a longtime Napoleonic history fan or new to the era, these surprises reveal why the period from 1793 – 1815 remains one of the most dramatic in military history.

Our experts include David Markham, Graeme Callister, Geraint Thatcher, and Zack White! We discuss:

• Battles Napoleon should have lost—but didn’t

• Decisions that unexpectedly changed the course of campaigns

• Political and strategic surprises that altered Europe’s balance of power

• How chance, weather, and human error shaped history

Perfect for fans of military history, European history, strategy, and war documentaries, this countdown-style breakdown is ideal for classrooms, podcasts, and history enthusiasts alike.

📌 Watch to the end to see which surprises rank as #1—and why it still shocks historians today.

The Duke of Wellington wasn’t just the man who defeated Napoleon — he was also one of Britain’s most influential political leaders of the era.

In this episode, special guest Marcus Cribb examines Arthur Wellesley’s political career, including his time as Prime Minister, his role in shaping Britain after the Napoleonic Wars, and his controversial decision to support Catholic Emancipation in 1829. Discover how Wellington transitioned from battlefield command to high politics, faced public unrest, and left a lasting mark on 19th-century British government.

We also discuss his later years and his funeral, one of the largest in British history.

Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, British politics, and Waterloo, this video reveals the statesman behind the soldier.

X/Twitter: @mcribbhistory, @andnapoleon

The Battle of Bautzen (May 20–21, 1813) – Napoleon’s Hard-Fought Victory in the War of the Sixth Coalition

In today’s episode, special guest Jonas de Neef breaks down the Battle of Bautzen, one of the most intense and strategically intriguing clashes of the 1813 campaign. Fought after Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, Bautzen saw the Emperor attempt to crush the combined Prussian & Russian armies under Blücher and Wittgenstein. Despite a tactical French victory, the battle failed to deliver the decisive blow Napoleon desperately needed.

We explore:

• Napoleon’s strategy and the movements leading to Bautzen

• Key commanders: Napoleon, Ney, Soult, Oudinot, Blücher, and Wittgenstein

• The brutal two-day fight

• Ney’s missed opportunity that allowed the Allies to escape

• Casualties, consequences, and how Bautzen shaped the rest of the 1813 campaign

Perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, military strategy, and anyone following the War of the Sixth Coalition.
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🇩🇪 King Frederick William III of Prussia

Discover the dramatic life and legacy of King Frederick William III (1770–1840), the Prussian monarch who ruled during one of Europe’s most turbulent eras. This video explores how a shy and reluctant king transformed Prussia after devastating defeats by Napoleon—leading to sweeping military, social, and governmental reforms that helped shape modern Germany.

Special guest Ethan Soefje joins the show to cover:

• Frederick William III’s early life and accession to the throne

• Prussia’s catastrophic losses at Jena–Auerstedt (1806)

• His complex relationship with Napoleon Bonaparte

• The influence of Queen Louise, one of Prussia’s most beloved figures

• The Prussian Reform Movement (Scharnhorst, Stein, Hardenberg)

• His leadership during the Wars of Liberation (1813–1815)

• The Congress of Vienna and the rise of Prussia as a European power

• His later reign and long-term legacy on German unification

This biography is perfect for fans of Napoleonic history, German history, and anyone interested in leadership under pressure.

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#FrederickWilliamIII #PrussianHistory #NapoleonicWars #KingsofPrussia #GermanHistory #HistoryDocumentary #GeneralsandNapoleon

While Napoleon’s armies fought brilliant battles across Spain and Portugal, their greatest enemy wasn’t always the British or the guerrillas — it was logistics.

Supplying tens of thousands of soldiers across rugged mountains, scorched plains, and hostile territory tested the limits of Napoleonic warfare. Food shortages, broken supply lines, and guerrilla ambushes made every march a struggle for survival.

In this video, special guest & author Gareth Glover will tell us
🚚 How Wellington & Napoleon tried to feed, arm, and move their armies across the Iberian Peninsula
⚙️ The challenges faced by French and British quartermasters
🔥 Why logistics, not tactics, decided the outcome of the war
🇪🇸 How Spain’s geography and resistance crippled Napoleon’s ambitions

Discover the untold story of the Peninsular War — a campaign where supply wagons, not just muskets, determined victory.

#Napoleon #PeninsularWar #NapoleonicWars #History #Wellington #Spain #Logistics

In August 1813, amid the German Campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon faced one of his greatest challenges — the combined might of Austria, Prussia, and Russia. The Battle of Dresden would become his last major battlefield triumph, showcasing his tactical genius even as the empire began to crumble.

Special guest Winston Valentine discusses Napoleon’s maneuvers, use of terrain, and daring counterattacks that crushed the Coalition forces under Schwarzenberg. Learn about the heroic stand of Marshal Saint-Cyr, the daring charge of the Imperial Guard, and the tragic defeat of General Vandamme at Kulm just days later.

🔴 Key Topics Covered:

• Background of the 1813 German Campaign

• Napoleon’s defensive strategy at Dresden

• Key commanders

• The turning point of the fight

• Aftermath and its impact on the War of the Sixth Coalition

🎖️ Why it Matters:
The Battle of Dresden was Napoleon’s final victory at the height of his powers — a flash of brilliance before the storm that led to Leipzig and the fall of his empire.

📅 Watch more Napoleonic History videos every week!
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Few men stood closer to Napoleon Bonaparte than General Jean Rapp — a fearless soldier, loyal aide-de-camp, and hero of some of the Empire’s fiercest battles. From Austerlitz to Borodino, Rapp’s bravery and devotion made him one of the most respected figures of the Grande Armée.

Special guest Jonas de Neef shares how this Alsatian officer rose from humble beginnings to become a Count of the Empire, Governor of Danzig, and one of the Emperor’s most trusted commanders. Discover his daring cavalry charges, his near-death encounters, and his loyalty even in defeat.

🎖️ Highlights include:

• Rapp’s early service in the Revolutionary Wars

• His legendary charge at Austerlitz

• Saving Napoleon from assassination attempts

• Defense of Danzig against overwhelming odds

• Life after the fall of the Empire

  
  

⚔️ Why it Matters:
General Rapp embodied the courage, loyalty, and honor of Napoleon’s finest officers — a man who never flinched under fire.

👉 Subscribe for more stories of Napoleon’s Marshals, Generals, and epic battles of the Napoleonic Era!

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🎖️ We return for Part II of the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era

Step into the age of empires and ambition — this video counts down the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era, where strategy, courage, and destiny shaped the course of Europe. From the stunning triumph at Austerlitz to the final reckoning at Waterloo, discover how Napoleon Bonaparte’s genius — and his opponents’ resilience — changed warfare forever.

Join our fantastic panel of guests - Marcus Cribb, Graeme Callister, Josh Provan, and Charles Mackay - who discuss everything from Kellerman's stalwart victory at Valmy to Wellington’s defensive genius at Waterloo. We break down the tactics, triumphs, and legacies of battles involving from France, Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and beyond.

🔍 Whether you're a history buff, military strategist, or Napoleon enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights, surprises, and debates on what made these battles legendary.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Which ones would make YOUR Top 15 list?

🎧 Subscribe for more on the Napoleonic Era, epic battles, leadership lessons, and the fascinating lives of history’s greatest military era

X/Twitter: @graemecallister, @mcribbhistory, @LandOfHistory

Bluesky: @bubblesvampire.bsky.social

🎖️ What Were the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era?

Step into the age of empires and ambition — this video counts down the Top 15 Battles of the Napoleonic Era, where strategy, courage, and destiny shaped the course of Europe. From the stunning triumph at Austerlitz to the final reckoning at Waterloo, discover how Napoleon’s genius — and his opponents’ resilience — changed warfare forever.

Join our fantastic panel of guests - Marcus Cribb, Graeme Callister, Josh Provan, and Charles Mackay - who discuss everything from Kellerman's stalwart victory at Valmy to Wellington’s defensive genius at Waterloo. We break down the tactics, triumphs, and legacies of battles involving from France, Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and beyond.

🔍 Whether you're a history buff, military strategist, or Napoleon enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights, surprises, and debates on what made these battles legendary.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Which ones would make YOUR Top 15 list?

🎧 Subscribe for more on the Napoleonic Era, epic battles, leadership lessons, and the fascinating lives of history’s greatest military era

X/Twitter: @graemecallister, @mcribbhistory, @LandOfHistory, @andnapoleon

Bluesky: @bubblesvampire.bsky.social