Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 19 May 1813

Regional map of Northern Spain

There are three regions in Southern Spain

But unlike Germany, the French do not have a secure rear area

All of Spain is in revolt against the French, who only control the area they occupy

Fourth French army are in Burgos

Their main depot is in Santander

The Anglo/Portuguese army is in Salamanca

Their main depot is in Oporto

 

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 Northern Spain Campaign

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

20 February 1813    Anglo/Portuguese army operational in Oporto Region

27 February 1813    Fourth French army operational in Burgos Region

22 March 1813        Start of Valladolid campaign phase

29 March 1813        British win Valladolid campaign phase

19 May 1813           British win Llanes 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

40 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Spain

41 – French Army order of battle

42 – Anglo/Portuguese Army order of battle

43 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Spain

44 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Spain

45 - Summary of campaign in Northern Spain