The North-East of the Battlefield

 

Over the last few years, I have researched the least known part of the battlefield, the North-East - the area that anchored Wellington's left.  The ground is complex and marked by four locations: first, the farm of Papelotte; a second farm at La Haye; thirdly, the hamlet of Smohain (sometimes called La Marache) and finally the chateau of Frischermont.  

These locations run west to south east through complex country and presented a defensive opportunity that was arguably just as formidable as Plancenoit or Hougoumont.  Of course, the difference being that while a whole corps was thrown at Hougoumont, only Durutte's division was available to attack these four locations.

While information about the rest of the battlefield is plentiful, our understanding of certain aspects of the North-East is much more tentative, notably in respect of Smohain and Frischermont, nevertheless it is possible to piece together a coherent picture.

This entry provides a summary of what has been learned so far, plus some updates on Smohain.

Papelotte

Despite Durutte's claims, the French never captured Papelotte, but did manage to get into the garden.

Papelotte Farm and garden

Close up

Dutch half battery above the farm

Nassau infantry to the West of the farm

La Haye Farm

The farm will be garrisoned by these Nassauers:

Smohain/La Marache

A battalion of the Orange Nassau Regiment will defend the hamlet. These are in production:

With help from Liam I have taken the buildings in the village at the time of the battle and given each a number that equates to what is there today.  My father has then worked his magic to interpret how they would have looked.  The odd one out is the school building which clearly existed in 1815 but there is no evidence today.

Building 1 - The Three Ducks

Building 8 - School House

Building 9 - Oak frame gable

Building 12

the rear of the building

Frischermont

Frischermont was held briefly by the Orange Nassau regiment but was quickly taken by the French and then captured by the Prussians later in the day.