Battle of Quatre Bras

The Battle of Quatre Bras took place on June 16, 1815, near Quatre Bras in Belgium. It was a key clash between the allied forces led by Duke of Wellington and the French army under Marshal Ney, just two days before Napoleon's decisive Battle of Waterloo. The battle was fought to control a vital crossroads and prevent the French from advancing into Belgium. Though intense, the Allies managed to hold their position, delaying the French and setting the stage for the larger battle at Waterloo. It was a strategic engagement that influenced the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars.