5 March 1813 - Central Germany - Kassel Campaign

Kassel Strategic Map

Kassel is the first phase of the 1813 campaign in Central Germany

The white square is the tactical area for the Kassel campaign

 Kassel Tactical Map

The Russians left Dresden on 20 February and reached Gotha eight days later, on the same day that Marshal Davout confirmed to Napoleon that his Second French Army was operational and ready to advance.   Wittgenstein ordered his army to halt and rest at Gotha to recover from their long march from Dresden.

This delay allowed Davout time to march his army from Dusseldorf to Dortmund, where he arrived on 4 March 1813.

The next morning both armies marched towards Kassel.  

The map shows the location of each corps and detachment at midnight on 5 March 1813