The Battle of Waterloo had many
buildings and villages that were fought over in the three days of Waterloo in
June 1815 but three were made very famous by the battle. These were the farms
of Hougoumont, Le Haye Sainte and Paperotte.
Le Haye Sainte was in the centre
of Wellington’s battle line and it was defended by the 1st & 2nd Light
Battalions of the Kings German Legion a regiment of Nassau Light infantry and
the 5th Line battalion of the KGL while defending outside on the eastern side
of the farm there were two companies of the 95th.
This complex of farm buildings became
the hospital for the Allies and was fought over all day by the French with d ‘Erlon
Corps with the 54th and 55th Ligne. The farm changed hands several times during
the battle were at one stage the KGL ran out of ammunition and had to retreat
out of the farm. Unable to move the Allies casualties, they were bayoneted to
death by the French when they first over ran the farmyard and by the end of the
day it was back in Allied hands.
Airfix brought out the famous farm
house in 1970 after they started to bring out the Waterloo figures for the
battle. The 1/76 model was made in a grey plastic and has made a few
appearances how and then by Airfix through the years. Once off the spur it took
just minutes to assemble the farm and I still have mine although it needs
urgent attention, another project for me to do to rebuild and base the farm
house one day.
Although the model is not
historical correct as some of the windows to the rooms in the roof of the main
house are missing the farm was also much bigger than the model, but space would
be a problem for most gamers. I have seen this model painted up on other
people’s blogs and what a good job they have made of it. I must admit that I
liked my Airfix model back then and still do today but wouldn’t it be nice for
Airfix to bring out Hougoumont and Paperotte for the 200th Anniversary of the
battle as I know they will do with the farm house once more.
The farm House today
More of the famous buildings of the battle? Yes please! That would be useful...but is it likely? Let's hope someone high up the food chain sees the opportunity. Nice site.
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