Introduction to the campaign in North Germany

Campaign areas 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 French army v Austrian army

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

North Germany

There are three regions in north Germany

Osnabruck region is the rear area for First French army

Berlin region is the rear area for the Prussian Army     

Brunswick region is the disputed area between them

Brunswick Region

This is the region where the campaign will be fought

 

There are nine military districts in the region.  

Each campaign phase will take place in one region

 

At the start of the campaign First French army is in Hannover district

The Prussian army is in Magdeburg district

The first campaign phase will be Brunswick district      

First French Army

Emperor Napoleon

1^st Old Guard corps

13^th Polish corps      

4^th French corps

Reserve corps

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 11

Prussian Army

General Blucher

1^st Prussian corps

2^nd Prussian corps

3^rd Prussian corps

4^th Prussian corps

Reserve corps

There is a detailed order of battle at Label 12

Campaign Diary

 

The French Grand Army was destroyed during the 1812 Russian campaign

Napoleon had to create a new Army of Germany to fight the 1813 campaign

 

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

1 February 1813 – Napoleon ordered the formation of First French army in Osnabruck region under his personal command

19 February 1813 – First French army declared operational.

20 February 1813 - Prussians moved into the Brunswick region

25 February 1813 - Prussians occupied the city of Brunswick

26 February 1813 - Napoleon advanced into the Brunswick region

28 February 1813 – French occupy the city of Hannover

1 March 1813 - Start of Brunswick 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

10 - Introduction to the campaign in Northern Germany

11 – 1^st French Army order of battle

12 - Prussian Army order of battle

13 - Daily diary for the campaign in Northern Germany

14 - Battle reports of all battles fought in Northern Germany

15 - Summary of campaign in Northern Germany

 

North Germany - Introduction

Brunswick Military Region

Background

Napoleon considered the Prussians to be allies, and they had agreed to hold the Russian Army east of Berlin at the river Oder, whilst he reorganized the French Army behind the river Rhine.   He was unaware of the secret allied treaty.    He was also unaware that the Russians had crossed the river Oder on 20 January 1813.

On 10 February 1813 Generalfeldmarschall Blucher took command of the Prussian Army, which was concentrated to the west of Berlin.   He issued orders for them to move west, cross the river Elbe and secure the city of Brunswick.   They crossed the border into Brunswick Region on 20 February 1813.

Napoleon had ordered the First French Army to be formed at Osnabruck.   On 26 February 1813 he arrived there and took command.   He was determined to teach the Prussians a lesson for their betrayal.

The map shows the deployment of both armies at first light on 1 March 1813

First French Army

Napoleon commanded four corps.   

1^st Old Guard corps

3^rd French corps

4^th French corps

13^th Polish corps

Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery. 

He also had a reserve corps of four conscript infantry brigades for garrison duties

Prussian Army

Blucher commanded four corps

1^st Prussian corps

2^nd Prussian corps

3^rd Prussian corps

4^th Prussian corps

Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.  

He also had a reserve corps of four conscript infantry brigades for garrison duties

North Germany - Introduction

Northern Germany Strategic Map

Background

Napoleon considered the Prussians to be allies, and they had agreed to hold the Russian Army east of Berlin at the river Oder, whilst he reorganized the French Army behind the river Rhine.   He was unaware of the secret  allied treaty.    He was also unaware that the Russians had crossed the river Oder on 20 January 1813.

On 10 February 1813 Generalfeldmarschall Blucher took command of the Prussian Army, which was concentrated to the west of Berlin.   He issued orders for them to move west, cross the river Elbe and secure Magdeburg.   They entered Magdeburg on 20 February 1813.

Napoleon had ordered the First French Army to be formed at Hannover.   On 26 February 1813 he arrived there and took command.   He was determined to teach the Prussians a lesson for their betrayal.

First French Army

Napoleon commanded four corps.   The Old Guard, two French corps and one Polish corps.
Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.   

Prussian Army

Blucher commanded four corps
Each corps consisted of four infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade and corps artillery.