Introduction to 1813 Campaign in Spain

Map of Spain

There are two campaign areas in Spain

North – 4^th French Army v Anglo/Portuguese Army

South – 5^th French Army v Spanish Army

Military regions of Spain

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 met to plan for the declaration of war on France.

It was agreed that the Anglo-Portuguese army would cooperate with the Spanish army to drive the French out of Spain.   The English would operate in the north and the Spanish in the south.

 

French plan of campaign

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

In January 1813 Napoleon 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.

On 10 January King Joseph was ordered to transfer of 50% of troops in Spain to Germany to help form the new Army of Germany. They would be replaced with an equal number of conscripts.   This would greatly reduce the combat efficiency of the Army of Spain.

During the reorganisation 4^th French army would concentrate at Burgos.  

5^th French army would concentrate at Toledo

Start of the 1813 Campaign

The allies declared war on France on 1 February 1813