Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did Napoleon delay his attack at the Battle of Waterloo?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st duke of Wellington, oil on canvas by Sir Thomas Lawrence.
At the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte delayed the start of his attack against the Duke of Wellington from the morning until midday because the ground was sodden from a torrential thunderstorm.12
Napoleon chose to wait for the terrain to dry, believing that the improved conditions would better facilitate his military maneuvers. This tactical decision proved to be a major blunder, as the delay provided the necessary time for the Prussian forces under Gebhard Leberecht von BlĂŒcher to reach the battlefield and support Wellington, ultimately turning the tide of the engagement against the French.12