The French armies, led by Napoleon, dominated Europe through the early 19th century. The all conquering French line infantry ‘Les Bleus’ used a combination of massed columns, fast manoeuvre, and firepower to shatter the armies of Prussia, Austria, Spain and Russia, culminating in a death struggle against Wellington and Blucher’s alliance at Waterloo in 1815. Well led and confident of victory, the average French soldier swept almost all foes before them.
