In 1813, after an initial victory, the French under Marshal Macdonald were beaten by the Prussians under Gen.

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Known as Aix-la-Chapelle in French, it changed hands between Napoleon and the Prussians.

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Although the Prussians were losing battles, they recognized a transformation in the operating environment before anyone else, and they adapted accordingly.

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In 1871, Paris surrendered to the Prussians in the Franco-Prussian War.

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As the Prussians fought the French in the middle of the nineteenth century, they were forced to completely overhaul their military organization, tactics and doctrine in response to their defeats.

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But as a member of the audience asked Paddy Ashdown at the fringe, who is going to be the equivalent of the Prussians at Waterloo, riding to the rescue of Clegg's beleaguered troops?

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