At that moment durung the battle the French columns had still been beaten off and the line was holding. Even when it had been massively charged by French cavalry, that was simply warded off by forming squares. Hougoumont had had a rough time, but was still in British hands. Only in the centre the forward position of La Haye Sainte had fallen and French troops were finally getting a foothold in the Allied lines. From there is became possible to storm the plateau and destroy the british troops with short range artillery fire. The battery of captain Mercer was almost destroyed; the British firepower at this position was severely deminished. At that time six battalions of the French Imperial Guard start to move forward between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, ready to finish off Wellingtons troops there. The situation is most critical! Will the exhausted British troops, who have held the line during the entire day, now succumb? Chass? doesn't hesitate a moment and quickly handles on his own initiative; the two batteries of his division are sent forward to increase the shrunken firepower. The horse battery of captain Krahmer rushes ahead and immediately takes position to silence the French artillery at the ridge just north of La Haye Sainte. Right after that the six guns are turned towards the approaching Guard troops, that are pounded with grape-shot.