Introduction to the Burgos Campaign

Map of Spain

The campaign is set in north west Spain.

The large white outline is the strategic area

The smaller white outline is the tactical area.

 Strategic Map

This map shows the strategic area in more detail

The while outline is the tactical area

It is divided into three, one for each corps operational area

There are three French and three Allied corps in the campaign

Each corps is confined to its operational area

It can only move into an adjacent area when ordered by the CinC

This map is used for movement outside the tactical area

Tactical Map

This map shows the southern operational area

This map will be used by the two southern commanders

All combat is confined to the operational area

Campaign Diary Map

This map will be used for the campaign diary

It covers the same area as the strategic and tactical maps

Information on the campaign diary is available to all players

Therefore the map shows approximate locations only

The movement grid has also been removed

Campaign Background

This is the fourth campaign in Spain
It is the second campaign in the north west.

The previous campaign covered Wellington’s capture of Valladolid

He has now regrouped his army and is ready to advance on Burgos

He has four British and two Spanish divisions

Soult has dispersed his army to cover all options

His first priority is to hold the city of Burgos

He must also protect the northern ports and the road to Bayonne

There is a lot of guerrilla activity throughout his area of operations

He has one Westphalian, two Polish and three French divisions.

Campaign Notes

Corps commanders have more freedom than in previous campaigns

There will much less control by CinC

Each area of operations is much larger than before.

It will not be possible to cover the whole area with the troops available

Command and Control will be much more difficult

There will be less need for cooperation with adjacent commanders.

1813 Campaign Diary - Part 8 - Gera

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.

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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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.   4^th 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.   4^th 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       2^nd 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

http://1813geracampaign.blogspot.com/