The Battle of Ligny was Napoleon's last military victory, though the surviving Prussian army later contributed to his decisive defeat at Waterloo two days later.
Key Facts
- Date
- 16 June 1815
- Conflict
- War of the Seventh Coalition
- Napoleon's last victory
- Final battlefield win of Napoleon's military career
- Blücher's fate
- Wounded and removed from command during battle
- Days before Waterloo
- 2 days
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Hundred Days campaign, Napoleon sought to defeat the allied forces piecemeal before they could unite. He directed the Armée du Nord against the Prussian forces under Field Marshal Blücher near Ligny on 16 June 1815, hoping to eliminate them as a fighting force before turning against Wellington's Anglo-allied army.
French forces under Napoleon attacked and defeated part of the Prussian army at Ligny on 16 June 1815. In the climactic phase of the battle, Blücher was wounded and temporarily replaced by his chief of staff, Lieutenant General Gneisenau. The French won a tactical victory, but failed to destroy the Prussian army, which retreated in good order.
Although France secured a tactical victory, the bulk of the Prussian army survived intact and was subsequently reinforced. Two days later, these Prussian forces joined the Anglo-allied army at the Battle of Waterloo, contributing directly to Napoleon's final defeat. Ligny proved to be the last battle Napoleon ever won.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Napoleon I.
Side B
1 belligerent
Field Marshal Blücher, Lieutenant General Gneisenau.