How the Iron Duke’s troops routed Bonaparte in 11 hours

The Battle of Waterloo started around noon on June 18, 1815, near Brussels, then part of the Netherlands, and ended by 11pm.

It ended 12 years’ war between France and an alliance including Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Prussia (now in Germany).

The French army, outnumbered and poorly equipped, comprised 50,700 infantry, 14,400 cavalry, 8,000 artillery and 250 guns.

Wellington’s army was 68,000-strong but was supported by 48,000 Prussian troops who arrived in mid-afternoon.

The French suffered more than 41,000 casualties compared with Wellington’s combined forces suffered 24,000 wounded, killed and missing.

On the model, Wellington has 1,946 infantry, 377 cavalry and 24 guns; Napoleon 2,126 infantry, 440 cavalry and 32 artillery; the Prussians 1,337 infantry and 200 cavalry. There are 400 casualties and prisoners.