A unique and powerful account of the events leading up to the epic confrontation at Waterloo...presents the opening moves and the battles up to Ligny and Quatre Bras from the perspective of the German forces who played a major and vital role in Napoleon's defeat.

Includes maps of: Prussia's Expansion Plans; Theatre of War; Cantonments of the Prussian 1st Brigade; Part of Belgium, Showing the Theatre of War; Positions of the French Army, Evening of 14 June; Positions of the Three Armies on the Night of 14-15 June; Positions of the Three Armies at 2:30 A.M., 15 June; Charleroi and Environs; Region of Gilly and Gosselies; French Army, Evening of 15 June; Positions of the Anglo-Dutch-German Army, 6:00-7:00 P.M., 15 June; Positions of the Anglo-Dutch-German Army, 10:00 P.M., 15 June; Actual Positions of Wellington's Army, 7:00 A.M., 16 June, and of the French and Prussians; Positions of Wellington's Army, 7:00 A.M., 16 June, as Given in the de Lancey 'Disposition,' and of the French and Prussians; Positions of the Three Armies, 2:00 P.M., 16 June; Quatre Bras and Ligny, 2:00-2:30 P.M., 16 June; Battlefield of Ligny; Ligny - Movements of the Prussian I Armeekorps Prior to 10 A.M.; Ligny - Arrival of the Prussian II and III Armeekorps, and the First French Positions; Ligny - French Dispositions, 2:30 P.M.; Ligny - Prussian Dispositions, 2:30 P.M.; Battle of Ligny, 2:30 P.M.; Ligny - French Assaults on St. Amand, 3:00-3:45 P.M.; Ligny - Prussian Counterattacks, 4:00-5:00 P.M.; Positions of the Three Armies, 5:00 P.M.; Ligny - Pecheaux's, Hanbert's, and Domon's Attacks; Ligny - 6:00-7:00 P.M.; Ligny - Prussian Counterattack, 6:00-7:30 P.M.; Battle of Quatre Bras, 2:00 P.M.; Battle of Quatre Bras, 3:15 P.M.; Ligny - Vichery, Vandamme, and Girard; Ligny - Preparations for the French General Assault, 6:00 P.M.; Ligny - Appearance of an Unidentified Corps, 6:00 P.M.; Ligny - Final French Assault, 7:00-9:30 P.M.; Ligny - Retreat of the Prussians, 9:30 P.M.; Ligny - Final Positions, 10:00 P.M.

The leading allied personalities -- Europe before Waterloo -- Wellington and the Germans -- The Prussian army of 1815 -- Wellington's German contingents -- Plans to defend the Netherlands -- Preparations for war -- The outposts -- Intelligence and communications -- The advance on Charleroi -- The breakthrough to Frasnes -- The night of 15 June -- The morning of 16 June -- The Battle of Ligny-Quatre Bras -- 'Mine Enemy' the Prussians.