19 July 1813 – North Spain – Santander Campaign

Map of Europe

There are five campaign areas in Europe

North Germany – French v Prussians
Central Germany – French v Russians
Southern Germany – French v Austrians
North Spain – French v British
South Spain – French v Spanish

This is the 17th campaign phase
Each star shows the location of a campaign phase
Santander is the white star

Map of Spain

There are two campaign areas in Spain
North Spain – Fourth French and British Armies
South Spain – Fifth French and Spanish Armies

This is the seventh campaign to be fought in Spain
Santander is the white star

Map of North Spain

There are three regions in North Spain
Oporto Region – British rear area
Madrid Region – campaign area
Barcelona Region – French rear area

This is the fourth campaign phase to be fought in North Spain
Each star shows the location of a campaign phase
Santander is the white star

Map of Madrid Region

There are nine districts in Madrid Region
There have been sixteen battles fought in this region
The French have won 8 and the British 6
Each star shows the location of a battle fought

Campaign Map

The Santander campaign is fought between the cities of Santander and San Sebastian
The French Army of North Spain is deployed to the right of the district border
The British Army is deployed to the left of the district border
The French objective is to take and hold the city of Talavera
Each block represents one corps

The French objective is to take the city of Santander

Typical British corps

Each corps has 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery


British Army – Duke of Wellington
1st British corps
2nd British corps
3rd British corps
4th British corps
5th British corps
6th British corps
7th Spanish corps
8th Spanish corps
9th Spanish corps

British - 96000 infantry, 6000 cavalry, 180 guns
Spanish - 48000 infantry. 3000 cavalry, 90 guns
Militia - 24,000 infantry

Typical French corps

Each corps has 4 infantry brigades, 1 cavalry brigade and corps artillery


Fourth French Army of North Spain – Marshal Soult
28th Young Guard corps
29th French corps
30th Polish corps
31st French corps
32nd Westphalian corps
33rd Italian corps
34th French corps
35th French corps
36th Vistula corps

168000 infantry, 9000 cavalry, 270 guns

Campaign Diary

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
10 May 1813 - Start of Llanes campaign phase
19 May 1813 - British win Llanes campaign phase
25 June 1813 - Start of Talavera 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 - Fourth French Army order of battle
42 - British 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