North Germany - Introduction

Brunswick Military Region

Background

Napoleon considered the Prussians to be allies, and they had agreed to hold the Russian Army east of Berlin at the river Oder, whilst he reorganized the French Army behind the river Rhine.   He was unaware of the secret allied treaty.    He was also unaware that the Russians had crossed the river Oder on 20 January 1813.

On 10 February 1813 Generalfeldmarschall Blucher took command of the Prussian Army, which was concentrated to the west of Berlin.   He issued orders for them to move west, cross the river Elbe and secure the city of Brunswick.   They crossed the border into Brunswick Region on 20 February 1813.

Napoleon had ordered the First French Army to be formed at Osnabruck.   On 26 February 1813 he arrived there and took command.   He was determined to teach the Prussians a lesson for their betrayal.

The map shows the deployment of both armies at first light on 1 March 1813

First French Army

Napoleon commanded four corps.   

1^st Old Guard corps

3^rd French corps

4^th French corps

13^th Polish corps

Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery. 

He also had a reserve corps of four conscript infantry brigades for garrison duties

Prussian Army

Blucher commanded four corps

1^st Prussian corps

2^nd Prussian corps

3^rd Prussian corps

4^th Prussian corps

Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.  

He also had a reserve corps of four conscript infantry brigades for garrison duties