Introduction to 1813 Campaign in Germany

Map of Germany

There are three campaign areas in Germany

 

North – 1^st French Army v Prussian Army

Centre – 2^nd French Army v Russian Army

South – 3^rd Bavarian Army v Austrian Army

Military regions of German

Each campaign area consists of three military regions

In each area the French occupy the western region, and the allies the eastern one

The centre region is where the 1813 campaign will be fought

 

This map shows the location of each army at the start of the campaign

 

Allied plan of campaign

On 1 January 1813 the allied nations of Austria, England, Prussia, Russia and Spain meet to plan for the declaration of war on France.

 

It was agreed that Prussia, Russia and Austria would combine to drive the French out of Germany and then invade France.

 

The Prussian army would concentrate in the Berlin region in preparation for the invasion of the Brunswick region.

 

The Russian army would concentrate in the Dresden region in preparation for the invasion of the Erfurt region.

 

The Austrian army would concentrate in the Vienna region in preparation for the invasion of the Munich region

 

French plan of campaign

The French Grande Armee had been destroyed in the Russian campaign of 1812.

 

In January 1813 he issued orders for the creation of a new Army of Germany.   It would consist of the survivors of the Russian campaign, half of the Army of Spain and the rest would be made up of conscripts.

 

The Army of Germany would be divided into three army groups, to meet the threat from Prussia, Russia and Austria.

 

First French army would be formed in the Osnabruck region.

 

Second French army would be formed in the Dusseldorf region

 

Third French army would be formed in the Freiburg region

 

Start of the 1813 Campaign

The allies declared war on France on 1 February 1813