Summary of Southern Spain Campaign – 15 June 1813

Regional areas of Southern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

Lisbon region is a safe rear area for the Spanish army

Valencia region is the rear area for the Fifth French army

Seville region is the disputed area between them

 

The main French depot is at Valencia

The main Spanish depot is at Seville

 

French Strategy in Spain

King Joseph is the commander in chief of all French troops in Spain.

However he commands no respect from either his army commanders

Both Soult and Suchet are determined to remain independent commanders

Suchet wants to invade southern Spain and become King of Andalusia

Soult wants to defeat Wellington and become King of Portugal

 

All three agree that Soult will drive Wellington out of Spain

Suchet will invade Andalusia and take Seville

He will then detach two of his four corps to support Soult

Soult will invade Portugal and drive Wellington out of the Peninsula

 

Anglo-Spanish Strategy in Spain

Wellington is the commander in chief of all allied troops in the Peninsula

However all Spanish generals deeply resent this appointment

Giron is determined to take Madrid and become the hero of Spain

 

Wellington is well aware that he cannot rely on his Spanish generals

To defeat the French he must first take Madrid

To do so the Spanish army must hold southern Spain to pin Suchet

Most importantly the Spanish must avoid a comprehensive defeat

This would allow both French armies to concentrate against Wellington

         

Diary of North Spain Campaign

01 February 1813    Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Spain declared war on France

04 February 1813    Spanish army operational n Saville region

28 February 1813    Fifth French army operational in Madrid Region

09 March 1813        Start of Toledo campaign phase

13 March 1813        Spanish win Toledo campaign phase

20 April 1813           Start of Cuidad Real campaign phase

30 April 1813           French win Cuidad Real campaign phase         

08 June 1813          Start of Merida campaign phase

15 June 1813          Spanish win Merida campaign phase

 

Reference

The campaign diary contains comprehensive details of the whole campaign.   The labels on the right are an index to various parts of the campaign.

 

01 - Introduction to the1813 campaign

02 - Five campaign areas

50 - Introduction to the campaign in Southern Spain

51 - 5^th French Army order of battle

52 - Spanish Army order of battle

53 - Daily diary for the campaign in Southern Spain

54 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Southern Spain

55 - Summary of campaign in Southern Spain