Waterloo

THE PRUSSIAN MONUMENT

This monument, which was erected in l 8 l 9, consists of a four-faced iron spire, surmounted by a gilt cross and stands on a foot of blue stone.

On one of the faces there is the following inscription in German: "The King and the Country honour with gratitude the fallen heroes. Let them rest in peace. —Belle-Alliance 18th of June 1815''.

Situated on the territory of Plancenoit, the Prussian monument commemorates the fierce fight of which the village was the theatre. There it was that the desperate fight took place between the young guard, the 1st and 2nd battalions of chasseurs and the Prussian army. (The French were one to five). To take this village, the Prussians had to besiege each house separately, room by room; everywhere they butchered each other and soon afterwards an immense fire burnt up the scene of this slaughter.
 


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