Yes, going from column into extended line in one move would seem very quick and smooth. But if a turn is 15 minutes it seems well in range of what was possible (well, on the parade ground anyway): Nafziger gives 1.1 to 3.9 minutes to go from column into line. In the game a unit would be able to quickly fill a hole by going into (extended) line, though it would at least draw fire in automatic defence mode. This lateral shifting remains a weakness, I think: it would be very hard for the other side (the French) to anticipate, especially if there are a lot of units that have this capability. This is where we bump into the disadvantages of a turn-based game sequence. So you see splitting battalions is not so bad — though it is certainly not ideal. But I wouldn't know what would be. Perhaps two units that have to be adjacent (or stacked) all the time.
My knowledge about the internal Belgian issues of the time is sketchy at best. I don't know if there was such a distinct difference yet between the Flemish and the Walloons, for example. I think French was the official language for both. I know that Dutch (Flemish) only became an official language after World War I... Before that, Dutch was not taught in school, not accepted in court, etc. Belgian units in 1815 were indeed predominantly Belgian, and they included many officers and NCO's who had served with Napoleon. This did not stop the 5th Dragoons, for example, from charging their former brothers-in-arms at Quatre Bras. But, as I recall, the Dutch regarded Belgian militia battalions as unreliable because they were plagued with desertion. Which may well have been caused by bad feeding, clothing etc. The Army of the Netherlands was young and still had many problems, one of which was a severe shortage in horses (thanks to the French). Bijlandt's brigade at Waterloo had hardly been fed. Regarding names, what about Chassé, Ghigny, d'Aubremé, Perponcher? Orange? Anyway, no conclusions can be drawn from names. Vandensande (7th Line) is a Dutch sounding name (though in Dutch it would be Van den Sande) but he did not speak Dutch. And Van Zuylen van Nyevelt (Staff 2nd Netherlands Division) ends his divisional diary at 15 june, noting that he did not have one officer who had mastered the Dutch language to continue it for him.
This old site might be of interest (if it works):
http://www.oocities.org/waterloo1815be/Inhoud.htmlI think the loyalty of soldiers to a common identity should not be overestimated. There is no doubt in my mind that West Germans and East Germans would have fired on each other if the Cold War had turned hot.
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1e Luitenant Hans Boersma (Rtd.)
Former Commandant 1e Brigade
2e Nederlandsche Divisie
I Corps
Anglo-Allied Army
(2001-2004)
Wargaming the Waterloo Campaign