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Historical military prints showing the defence of Hougoumont Farm by the 1st
Foot Guards and Coldstream Guards during the Battle of Waterloo. Military prints
and canvas prints by Ernest Crofts, Robert Gibb and Mark Churms showing the defence of
Hougoumont.
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| Struggle for Hougoumont - The French Assault by Chris Collingwood.
The attack of the French Grenadier Company belonging to the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Line Regiment from Prince Jeromes Divisions at the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815. On the 18th June 1815, at approximately 11.30am, Prince Jeromes 6,500 strong division of French infantry was ordered to attack the chateau of Hougoumont as a prelude to Napoleons main assault, which was targeted at Wellingtons centre. These buildings anchored the right wing of Wellingtons army at Waterloo. The loss of this strategic position would have rendered Wellingtons defensive line untenable. Wellington understood this and, later in the battle, ordered it to be defended to the last man. As the French initial assault drove back the German defenders through The Great Wood, they emerged to face not only the buildings, but the 300 yard long 7 foot high wall of the chateau gardens, defended by detachments from Cookes British Guards division. Charge after charge failed to dislodge the Guardsmen as they poured .........
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| | Item Code : DHM1668 | Struggle for Hougoumont - The French Assault by Chris Collingwood. - Editions Available |  |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | PRICE | OFFERS | PURCHASING | | PRINT | Collectors edition of 450 prints. | Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm) | Artist : Chris Collingwood | £90.00 | | MORE DETAILS... |
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Struggle for Hougoumont
by Chris Collingwood.
Two new paintings depicting the struggle of the French and
British forces over Hougoumont Farm, a key point in the battle of
Waterloo. One painting depicts the attack of the French Grenadier
Company belonging to the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Line Regiment from Prince
Jeromes Divisions at the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815. The other
depicts detachments of the British 2nd (Coldstream) and 3rd Foot Guards
Regiments opening fire from Hougoumonts solid brick garden wall at the Battle
of Waterloo, 18th June 1815.
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On the 18th June 1815, at approximately 11.30am, Prince Jeromes 6,500 strong division of French infantry was ordered to attack the chateau of Hougoumont as a prelude to Napoleons main assault, which was targeted at Wellingtons centre. These buildings anchored the right wing of Wellingtons army at Waterloo. The loss of this strategic position would have rendered Wellingtons defensive line untenable. Wellington understood this and, later in the battle, ordered it to be defended to the last man. As the French initial assault drove back the German defenders through The Great Wood, they emerged to face not only the buildings, but the 300 yard long 7 foot high wall of the chateau gardens, defended by detachments from Cookes British Guards division.

The
scenario at Hougoumont.
Charge after charge failed to dislodge the Guardsmen as they poured a continuous withering fire into their opponents from loopholes in the brickwork and hastily constructed platforms. Furious at having been repulsed and not content with the diversionary role allotted to him, Jerome immediately threw his entire division back to the assault and called on Foys division nearby for support, hoping to smash down Hougoumonts bricks and mortar by sheer weight of numbers. It is precisely this moment of the battle which is the subject of the two paintings.
 The
British Guards - numbered as shown on the painting layout.
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French casualties mounted in the area in front of the wall now known as The Killing Grounds. Throughout the day, Napoleon committed more and more of his reserves, until finally upwards of 15,000 French troops were embroiled in and around the maelstrom of
Hougoumont, which had become a battle within a battle. Indeed, when one of the final French assaults was beaten back, Wellington was heard to say, almost to himself; I believe we shall beat them after all!

The moment of the battle captured in the paintings.
Hougoumont never fell to French assault, although at times the final outcome was in some doubt. It stands today in a very sorry state of disrepair, its walls having suffered from both the ravages of time and blatant neglect. However, by managing to capture the fury of the moment in his two masterpieces, Struggle for
Hougoumont, Chris Collingwood has done justice to those who fought and died among its timeless ruins.

The French Infantry - numbered as shown on the painting
layout.
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The Completed Paintings.. |

| Struggle for Hougoumont - The French Assault by Chris Collingwood.
The attack of the French Grenadier Company belonging to the 1st Battalion of the 2nd Line Regiment from Prince Jeromes Divisions at the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815. On the 18th June 1815, at approximately 11.30am, Prince Jeromes 6,500 strong division of French infantry was ordered to attack the chateau of Hougoumont as a prelude to Napoleons main assault, which was targeted at Wellingtons centre. These buildings anchored the right wing of Wellingtons army at Waterloo. The loss of this strategic position would have rendered Wellingtons defensive line untenable. Wellington understood this and, later in the battle, ordered it to be defended to the last man. As the French initial assault drove back the German defenders through The Great Wood, they emerged to face not only the buildings, but the 300 yard long 7 foot high wall of the chateau gardens, defended by detachments from Cookes British Guards division. Charge after charge failed to dislodge the Guardsmen as they poured .........
More Text... |
| | Item Code : DHM1668 | Struggle for Hougoumont - The French Assault by Chris Collingwood. - Editions Available |  |
| | TYPE | DESCRIPTION | SIZE | SIGNATURES | PRICE | OFFERS | PURCHASING | | PRINT | Collectors edition of 450 prints. | Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm) | Artist : Chris Collingwood | £90.00 | | MORE DETAILS... |
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Detailed sections from each of the paintings:
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Hogoumont by Mark Churms. Depicting Jeromes Infantry attacking the South gate of the Chateau during the
battle of Waterloo.
Hougoumont by Robert Gibb. Showing
the 1st Foot Guards and The Coldstream Guards struggling to close the
gates at Hougoumont Farm against the Heavy French forces at the Height of
the the battle of waterloo. During the Battle of waterloo the 1st Foot
Guards and the Coldstream Guards losses were as follows. 1st Foot Guards,
125 Killed, 352 Wounded, and the Coldstream Guards losses, were 97 killed
and 446 wounded and four missing.
Defence of Hougoumont Farm by Robert Hillingford.
1st Regiment of Foot Guards at Waterloo by Brian Palmer.
The light company of the 1st Foot Guards commanded by Lord Saltoun,
defending the hollow way, behind Hougoumont. |
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