Warburg (Seven Years' War).
Fought July 31, 1759, between the French, 35,000 strong, under the Chevalier de May, and a largely superior force of Prussians and British, under Prince Ferdinand. The French were in danger of their flanks being turned, and after a brief engagement, retired, having lost 1,500 killed and wounded and 1,500 prisoners.
Warsaw (Second Polish Rising).
This city, which was held by a garrison of 30,000 Poles, under General Dembinski, was attacked by the Russians, 60,000 strong, under General Paskiewitsch. The first onslaught on the Polish entrenchments was made on the 6th September, 1831, and the Poles[Poles] were driven from their first line. On the 7th a further assault was made, notable for the defence of the Wola redoubt, where, when it was finally captured by the Russians, only eleven men remained alive out of a garrison of 3,000. On the 8th the last defences were overcome, and the city capitulated. The Poles had 9,000 killed in the defence. The Russians admitted a loss of 63 officers and 3,000 men killed, and 445 officers and 7,000 men wounded.
Wartemberg (Campaign of Leipsic).
Fought October 3, 1813, when Blucher, with 60,000 Prussians, defeated 16,000 French, under Bertrand, posted in a very strong position, protected by a dyke and a swamp. Aided by the ground, the French withstood the Prussian attack for over four hours, but finally Blucher turned their right flank and drove them from their position. The Prussians lost about 5,000. The French admit a loss of 500 only.
Wartzburg (Wars of the French Revolution).
Fought 1796, between the French, under Jourdan, and the Austrians, under the Archduke Charles. The Archduke interposed between the armies of Jourdan and Moreau, who were endeavouring to effect a junction, and inflicted a severe defeat upon Jourdan, forcing him to retire to the Rhine.
Waterloo (Hundred Days).
Fought June 18, 1815, between 24,000 British, and 43,500 Dutch, Belgians and Nassauers, in all 67,655 men, with 156 guns, under the Duke of Wellington, and the French, 71,947 strong, with 246 guns, under Napoleon. Wellington posted his troops along the line of heights covering the road to Brussels, with advanced posts at the farms of Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte. Napoleon attacked this position with the utmost resolution, but the British squares held their ground against the French cavalry and artillery throughout the day, and though the French captured La Haye Sainte, and obtained a footing in Hougoumont, the arrival of Blucher, with the Prussian army, on the French right, enabled Wellington at last to assume the offensive, and drive the enemy headlong from the field, utterly routed. The British lost about 15,000, the Prussians 7,000 in the battle. The losses of the Dutch and Belgians were very small, as they left the field early in the day. The French loss was never officially stated, but it was doubtless enormous, and the army practically ceased to exist as an organized force.