Dan Snow's History Hit: The Battle of Waterloo – 10th Anniversary Episode Summary

Release Date: June 17, 2025

Introduction: Celebrating a Decade of History

In this landmark 10th anniversary episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, host Dan Snow reflects on the podcast's journey over the past decade. Beginning with a nostalgic look back to the very first episode recorded in June 2015 with his father, Dan sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of one of history's most pivotal battles—the Battle of Waterloo.

Background: The Dawn of Waterloo

Dan Snow introduces the episode with a heartfelt recount of the podcast's inception. “[...] it was just me and my dad in a cheap hotel room and we went straight to a subject we knew pretty well, and that was the Battle of Waterloo” (02:40). This foundational episode has since blossomed into a rich platform for historical discourse, enabling Dan and his team to delve into diverse historical narratives across the globe.

Key Players: Leaders at Waterloo

The episode meticulously details the primary commanders of the Battle of Waterloo:

• Duke of Wellington (Dan Snow): At 46 years old, Wellington was a seasoned commander with experience from 24 battles and sieges, notably the Peninsula War. Described as “austere, intelligent, remote, but hugely respected” (08:38), Wellington's disciplined leadership contrasted sharply with his counterpart’s charisma.

• Napoleon Bonaparte (Father of Dan Snow): Charismatic and resilient, Napoleon had rebounded from significant defeats in Russia (1812) and Leipzig (1813). He amassed an army of 300,000 men upon his return from exile, embodying both military brilliance and strategic flaws (10:57).

The Battle Unfolds: Strategies and Maneuvers

The Battle of Waterloo is broken down into strategic phases, highlighting key moments and decisions that shaped its outcome.

1. Napoleon's Initial Strategy (June 15-17, 1815):

   Napoleon aimed to defeat the Allied armies sequentially, targeting Marshal Blucher’s Prussians first. His rapid advance surprised the Allies, leading to the Battle of Ligny where Blucher's forces were significantly weakened (12:20). Encouraged by this success, Napoleon dispatched Marshal Grouchy to chase the fleeing Prussians, intending to prevent their aid to Wellington.

   “He was dumb, his strategy was brilliant.” – Napoleon Bonaparte (10:57)

2. Wellington’s Response and Defensive Preparations:

   Upon receiving news of Napoleon’s movements while attending the Duchess of Richmond’s Ball, Wellington ordered General Picton to hold Quatre Bras to facilitate a unified Allied front. Despite being caught off-guard, Wellington orchestrated a tactical retreat to Mont St. Jean, choosing to make a stand at Waterloo, anticipating Prussian reinforcement.

   “Wellington withdrew [...] to hold them on this ridge at Waterloo until the Prussians can come and help him” (14:50).

3. The Night Before Battle: Weather and Morale:

   The Allies endured a torrential downpour on June 17th, bedraggled yet resolute. Letters and messages exchanged between Wellington and Blucher bolstered the anticipation of Prussian support, strengthening Wellington's resolve to make a decisive stand.

   “Men and horses shaking with cold [...] it was a terrible condition to spend the night before a huge battle” – Dan Snow (17:13)

4. The Morning of Battle Day: Exhaustion and Leadership:

   Wellington, exemplifying extraordinary endurance, spent 16 hours in the saddle, barely resting before the battle commenced. In stark contrast, Napoleon remained relatively inactive on the battlefield, delegating critical decisions to Marshal Ney and others, which would later prove detrimental.

   “Wellington [...] had nine hours sleep in the previous 72 and had spent 57 of them in the saddle” (20:10)

Decisive Moments: Turning the Tide

1. Hougoumont: The Strategic Fortification:

   Napoleon’s attempt to capture the fortified farmhouse at Hougoumont aimed to distract and weaken Wellington’s flank. Despite deploying up to 10,000 Frenchmen, the steadfast defense by the Coldstream Guards ensured that this diversion failed, preventing Wellington from reallocating forces to counter Napoleon’s main assault.

   “Had they lost that big anchoring defensive position [...] it might have forced Wellington to send more troops over the west” – Dan Snow (27:02)

2. Cavalry Charges and Infantry Squares:

   The afternoon saw dramatic cavalry charges by both the French and the British. Wellington's cavalry, though initially successful, overextended themselves, allowing the French to mount counterattacks. However, the British infantry’s use of square formations proved impenetrable against cavalry assaults, leading to heavy French casualties.

   “All the French cavalry charge [...] their blood was up, and they decided to charge [...] which never consider the situation” – Wellington (32:35)

3. The Imperial Guard’s Last Stand:

   In the late afternoon, Napoleon led his Imperial Guard in a final, desperate assault on Wellington’s center. Despite their formidable presence, the Guard was met with disciplined volley fire from the British First Guards Division, resulting in a decisive failure and the Guard’s retreat. This pivotal moment shattered French morale and sealed the battle’s outcome.

   “The Imperial Guard was pulling back. [...] Napoleon [...] was an utter and total defeat” – Napoleon Bonaparte (48:21)

Aftermath: The End of an Era

The defeat at Waterloo marked the end of Napoleon’s reign and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe. France's imperial ambitions were quelled, Britain emerged as a global hegemon, and Prussia solidified its position as the leading North German state, setting the stage for future German unification.

“It confirmed Britain as the hegemonic global power [...] and the mighty German state of the late 19th and early 20th centuries” – Dan Snow (52:05)

Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena, where he spent his remaining years writing memoirs until his death in 1821. Meanwhile, Wellington transitioned into a political role, becoming Prime Minister in the late 1820s, though his aptitude for civilian leadership remained questionable.

Reflecting on a Decade of History

Returning to their initial conversation, Dan and his father reminisce about the humble beginnings of the podcast and its evolution into a multifaceted historical resource. Dan acknowledges the invaluable support of their listeners, emphasizing the community's role in sustaining the podcast.

“Without you listeners, this would not be a thing. You've made all that happen, so thank you” – Dan Snow (05:28)

Their dialogue underscores the enduring passion for history that drives the podcast's continued success, as they look forward to exploring new historical narratives in the years to come.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Storytelling

This comprehensive episode not only offers a detailed account of the Battle of Waterloo but also celebrates the rich tapestry of history that Dan Snow and his team have diligently presented over ten years. By intertwining meticulous historical analysis with personal reflections, the episode serves as both an educational deep dive and a testament to the podcast’s enduring legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Dan Snow: “When I recorded that, I just could not have imagined this would become a huge podcast and one that would enable us at Team History to launch all the other podcasts...” (02:40)

• Father of Dan Snow (as Napoleon): “I'm Napoleon Bonaparte. [...] And so poor old Napoleon was sent down there and he was. He lived in a rather smart house called Longwood.” (50:58)

• Dan Snow: “It was a Triumph of British musketry, which was widely regarded as some of the best in the world.” (49:13)

Timestamp References:

• 02:40: Dan Snow introduces the podcast's origins.
• 08:38: Description of Wellington’s leadership style.
• 10:57: Napoleon’s strategic overview.
• 12:20: Napoleon’s strategy against the Allies.
• 14:50: Wellington’s tactical withdrawal.
• 17:13: Conditions on the night before the battle.
• 20:10: Wellington’s endurance contrasted with Napoleon.
• 27:02: Importance of Hougoumont.
• 32:35: Cavalry charges and command issues.
• 48:21: Imperial Guard’s retreat and Napoleon’s defeat.
• 52:05: Geopolitical consequences of Waterloo.
• 50:58: Napoleon’s exile narrative.

This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the Battle of Waterloo while celebrating the podcast's decade-long journey in bringing history to life.