Summary of Northern Spain Campaign – 25 July 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
10 May 1813 Start of Llanes campaign phase
19 May 1813 British win Llanes campaign phase
25 June 1813 Start of Talavera campaign phase
2 July 1813 French win Talavera campaign phase
19 July 1813 Start of Santander campaign phase
25 July 1813 British win Santander 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