Start of hostilities (15 June) Waterloo Campaign
a portion of belgium places marked in colour indicate initial deployments of armies before commencement of hostilities on 15 june 1815: red anglo-allied, green prussian, blue french map of waterloo campaign napoleon moved 128,000 strong army of north belgian frontier. left wing (i , ii corps) under command of marshal ney, , right wing (iii , iv corps) under marshal grouchy. napoleon in direct command of reserve (imperial guard, vi corps, , i, ii, iii, , iv cavalry corps). during initial advance 3 elements remained close enough support each another. napoleon crossed frontier @ thuin near charleroi on 15 june 1815. french drove in coalition outposts , secured napoleon s favoured central position – @ junction between wellington s army north-west, , blücher s prussians north-east. wellington had expected napoleon try envelop coalition armies moving through mons , west of brussels. wellington feared such move cut communications ports relied on supply. napoleon encouraged view misinformati