at 13:30 napoleon launched an infantry attack against wellington’s centre. men of the king’s german legion resolutely defended the farm of la haye sainte. this disrupted the french attack. british artillery and musketry succeeded in checking the french assault and the british household and union heavy cavalry brigades charged after the wavering frenchmen. elated by their success, the british cavalry pursued their enemy too far and in turn suffered terrible casualties at the hands of the french lancers and light cavalry.