14
to 18 August 1813
Central Germany 14 August 1813
General
This phase covers the period 14 to 18 August 1813 and the fighting in Central Germany between Second French Army and the Russian.
This phase covers the period 14 to 18 August 1813 and the fighting in Central Germany between Second French Army and the Russian.
It was fought during the period May to
October 2012
Corps
positions at start of campaign
Summary of
the Campaign
Napoleon ordered a general advance over the
river Saale.
Although the Russians were not fully
deployed along the western bank of the river, they put up a determined defence. Three major battles were fought on the first
day, and by nightfall two French corps had been defeated and the third fought
to a standstill.
The French withdrew the following day, but
2nd corps was attacked before they could cross the river and the
safety of the west bank. They were cut
off from the only available bridge and had to surrender.
Napoleon never recovered from the loss of 2nd
corps. He was left with just 9
divisions to face 12 Russian.
On 15 August he had to decide whether to
order a retreat west, or to try to hold the line of the river Saale. He choose the second option. He ordered a complete reorganization of his
whole army. Each corps would be reduced
from three to two divisions. 4th
corps had suffered heavy casualties and was sent to Erfurt to recover. He was forced to use the Imperial Garde in
the front line, with the old and young guard divisions forming the backbone of
two of his slimmer corps.
To achieve their remarkable success the
Russian Army had fought and maneuvered without rest, and was now low on
supplies and much in need of a rest to reorganize. They were also unaware of the full extent
of the damage to the French army. So
they were slow to resume the attack.
On 17 August they again attacked at Bad
Kosen and Jena.
They won another decisive victory at Bad
Kosen and established themselves on the west bank of the river Saale.
They were less successful at Jena on the
first day of fighting.
This gave Napoleon his last opportunity to
withdraw. 4th corps was now
operational again and he resolved to risk all in a second days fighting at
Jena. He was unaware that the Russians
had also received a fourth division, and that he was again heavily outnumbered. Even the presence of the Old Guard was not
sufficient, and he lost heavily again.
He had no further reserves. Six
of his nine divisions were broken and in rout.
The Russians were firmly established on the west bank of the river
Saale.
On 19 August he ordered his army to retreat
towards Gotha.
Location of campaign battles
Campaign
History
14 August Start
of campaign
14 August Battle
of Domburg Decisive
Russian victory
14 August Battle
of Possneck Draw
14 August Battle
of Bad Kosen Minor
Russian victory
15 August Battle
of Possneck Day Two Decisive
Russian victory
15 August 2nd
French corps surrender
18 August Battle
of Jena Minor
Russian victory
18 August Battle
of Bad Kosen Day Two Decisive
Russian victory
19 August Battle
of Jena Day Two Decisive
Russian victory
20 August Napoleon
orders general retreat
Link
to Campaign Blog
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