Battle of Waterloo

[Jock Scot]

June 18th 1815 was the date of the Battle of Waterloo, a momentous day for Europe. 194 years later we do not forget the brave men who fell that day.

[Colin]

Welcome back

[Sir William]

Aye, welcome back Jock.

It is always well to remember those who have fought against tyranny.

I noted the date last week when I was rereading a novel about Richard Sharpe at Waterloo. I quickly dug out several books I have on the Napoleanic Wars so I could refresh my memory as to the true events.

I visited the battlefield many years ago when I was in university. Now that I've learned a bit more about the battle, I'd like to make another visit. One of these days...

[turpin]

Who can forget the Charge of the Scots Greys, with the Gordons hanging onto their stirrups!. A classic example of bravery.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Who can forget the Charge of the Scots Greys, with the Gordons hanging onto their stirrups!. A classic example of bravery.

Actually, when Sergei Bondrachuk was directing his film version of Waterloo, he was less than credulous concerning the charge of the Greys. (For those of you not au fait with the legend, the Gordon Highlanders grabbed onto the stirrup leathers of the cavalry and were carried into the French lines.) This really got up the nose of one of the (Scottish) members of the crew.

As Bondrachuk was setting up his shot, he was surprised to see a Scots Grey trooper gallop past with a kilted Gordon Highlander clinging to his saddle. Surprise turned to amazement as they galloped past, especially when he heard what he thought was the Gordon's famous battle cry, "Stop this bleedin' horse or I'll kill ya, ya cossack commie sonnovabitch!!!!!"

If you've never seen Waterloo I can highly recommend it. The plot is turgid, but the action sequences are amazing. And the charge of the Scots Greys is a nearly religious experience. The US version of the film runs for about 2 hours, while the Russian version ran for almost four hours, later cut to three.

In the same vein, Abel Gance's Napoleon is also fantastic.

[Colonel MacNeal]

Present Arms!