Der längste Nachmittag

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In 1815, the deposed Napoleon returned to France, threatening Europe with another war. Near Waterloo, two hastily mobilized armies prepared to clash—Napoleon’s forces and the Duke of Wellington’s troops. The battle would unexpectedly hinge on the actions of the Second Light Battalion, King’s German Legion, tasked with defending the Haye Sainte farmhouse, a crucial crossroads. In "The Longest Afternoon," Brendan Simms details how these 400 riflemen repelled relentless waves of French infantry, ultimately delaying Napoleon long enough to alter the battle's outcome. Utilizing previously untapped eyewitness accounts, Simms vividly captures the chaos and strategy of Waterloo: the advances, retreats, and the spectrum of human behavior from heroism to cowardice. He highlights the bravery of the French infantry, who valiantly charged despite heavy losses, and contrasts it with the determination of the Second Light Battalion, driven by a mix of loyalty to the King, German patriotism, and camaraderie. Despite suffering significant casualties, they held their ground until the Prussians arrived, turning the tide. By focusing on Haye Sainte, Simms provides a fresh perspective on Waterloo, illustrating that Napoleon came closer to victory than commonly believed. This compelling narrative of 400 soldiers who shaped history promises to be a classic in military literature.