Napoleonic Dutch-Belgian Commanders (Waterloo)

This set contains three famous commanders of the Dutch army during the Hundred Days Campaign: William, Prince of Orange, Baron Chassé, and Baron de Constant-Rebecque.

The Prince of Orange served as a young officer in the Duke of Wellington’s headquarters during the Peninsular Campaign and rose through the ranks. The British, who appreciated his courage and amiability, affectionately called him 'Slender Billy'. During the Hundred Days Campaign, he commanded the I Corps of the Allies at Quatres Bras and Waterloo, where he was wounded by musket fire.

Baron Chassé was a Dutchman who fought for both France and against Napoleon Bonaparte during the wars. Chassé commanded the 3rd Dutch Division, which intervened at a crucial moment in the Battle of Waterloo, launching a bayonet charge against the French as the battle neared its climax. Chassé so favored the bayonet that Bonaparte nicknamed him "General Bayonet" during his time in service to France.

Jean Victor de Constant Rebecque, a Swiss mercenary who had made his mark in Dutch service, was Chief of Staff of the Dutch army. Baron Constant Rebecque famously defied the Duke of Wellington's order to withdraw Dutch troops on the eve of the Battle of Quatres Bras, thereby preventing Marshal Ney's French troops from occupying the strategically important crossroads.