Sorry John, as usual you have shown a rather narrow view. There are alternatives:
Even Wellington, in his personal despatch after the battle.
The Britsh were even in a minority in their own army, there were more german, dutch and Irish troops.
“I should not do justice to my own feelings, or to Marshal Blücher and the Prussian army, if I did not attribute the successful result of this arduous day to the cordial and timely assistance I received from them. The operation of General Bülow upon the enemy’s flank was a most decisive one; and, even if I had not found myself in a situation to make the attack which produced the final result, it would have forced the enemy to retire if his attacks should have failed.
Others agree, Peter Hofshroer for example:
It was Blücher’s personal charisma and Gneisenau’s organisational ability that had rejuvenated the previously defeated Prussian army. Their unexpectedly determined advance from Wavre to Plancenoit had attracted Napoleon’s attention from early in the day, and deprived him of much of his vital infantry reserves, and it was the capture of the strongpoint at Plancenoit in the right rear of the French position that was the decisive final blow on Napoleon’s wavering army. The Prussian intervention determined the result of the battle.
Actually of course, both narratives have merit, without the defence of Hougemont and Le Quatre Bras, there would have not been a position for the prussian corps to start the rout, but Without the Prussians, Wellington would not have won, he would have achieved a stalemate at best.
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