June 18, 2015
This fortified farm saw some bloody fighting. It was an advanced position which protected the allies' right flank. Napoleon attacked it on 18 June towards 11:30 am. What was originally intended as a diversionary tactic became the most violent point of the fighting. The French launched all-out assaults on it but to no avail. Napoleon lost.
The main building was burnt to the ground. Still standing there today is the farm.
One day before the official inauguration of the restored Hougoumont Farm for the bicentenary of the Waterloo battle I visited the farm.The farm had been neglected and almost fallen to ruins since years.
For this occasion some Royals and VIPs from the at the battle participating countries will be present, except the French President, who apparently is still angry that France has lost this so important battle only 200 years ago !
The commemorative plaque had been cleaned and is now legible
These pictures show the outside of the farm
200 years ago the entrance of the farm
The way to the inside court is not perfect but far better, only certainly not meant for Royal high heels !
The inside looks fresh and welcoming
This chapel was amongst the buildings which caught fire. It was being used to shelter wounded soldiers. Many perished as they were unable to drag themselves out of the building. Now the ruin has been painted in white and looks very nice.
For the Royals and VIPs, stands have been erected inside the courtyard.
These will probably stand along the way
A huge tent is waiting for them !
200 years ago the same fields .....
On the fields besides the farm, the British troops have built up their bivouacs and a little further were the Germans and Dutch.
A glimpse around the bivouacs
and the soldiers around
They came and greeted the newcomers
and walked around near the Lion.
A short history resume is here
Thursday, June 18, 2015
THE RENOVATED HOUGOUMONT FARM
Posted by Gattina at Thursday, June 18, 2015
travel, vacation, Jordan, Egypt, Spain, Turkey, Bivouacs, British soldiers, renovated Hougoumont farm
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5 comments:
Great photos and an interesting post. Fun to see it without the visitors as it was on the news last night showing Charles and Camilla walking around.
It is so neat that you are in on the ground floor of this big event -- thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes.
Wow...I was so misinformed about the French revolution. I was born on the bicentenical of the Declaration of Independance (1776) that started the American Revolutionary War. Somewhere growing up I got the idea that the French Revolution came FIRST...that it in some way inspired the American Revolution, and that the French supported the American revolutionaries in some part because they could relate to their plight, having just kicked out their own monarchy. But all that happened AFTER the American revolution (this post just caused me to go on a wikipedia hunt for some answers). Wow...wonder how I got it so wrong.
Boa tarde, gostei de conhecer o seu blog, a fotorreportagem está fantastica.
AG
Hi Gattina, i love travelling but mine are so few compared to yours. However, at least i already feel privileged because not many in my peers with equal condition as mine can travel too. I will be browsing on your past posts. My other blogsite on travels is here. www.abagillon.blogspot.com...Andrea/Kalantikan
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