When I move on to the regional maps I will also include the moves on 10th March as a refresher. You will then be able to scroll through 3 days of moves to see more clearly what is happening.
The overall situation by nightfall 11th March 1808:
There were no actions on 12th March so we will progress to
The overall situation by nightfall 12th March:
I will break this down to regions for a closer examination of the moves that took place over these 2 days and also the previous day (10th March).
North West (Holland):
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| 10th March |
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| 11th March |
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| 12th March |
In the north west the Prince of Orange (orange 1) has continued to retreat with the intention of joining forces with the Prussian 1st Corps before making another attempt at forcing the French out of Holland and Hanover.
For Grouchy (blue 11) he had a similar problem in that to continue pursuing the Prince of Orange he risked being drawn into Holland and then defeated by a much larger force. He knew reinforcements were on the way and decided it would be prudent to wait for their arrival before making further progress. He recalled Durutte with Pegot's brigade (blue 15) and instructed Marcognet (blue 13) to cease the pursuit of Col Best (orange 2) and hold his position.
A combined Dutch and British fleet (red N5) approach the Dutch port of Gorizia (5A2) to disembark the first of the British Expeditionary Force.
North East (Prussia and Nassau):
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| 10th March |
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| 11th March |
Reille with the 6th Division and 3rd Cavalry Corps (blue 3) pursued the Prussian 2nd Corps (green 1) but due to the terrain was unable to position themselves between that and Blucher's force. Realising that the opportunity to destroy the Prussians in detail was rapidly passing, Reille saw an easy target in the Nassauers pursued by Foy (blue 8) and the 9th Division.
Saxe-Weimar (light green 1) was faced by Reille blocking his escape route in the north and Foy behind him. He had run out of options and facing certain destruction he surrendered the Nassau 2nd Brigade to the French.
Losthin's Prussian 15th Brigade (green 4) continued retreating towards Blucher pursued by Bachelu's 5th Division (blue 6).
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| 12th March |
Napoleon (blue 1) falls back in order to re-unify his forces before he challenges Blucher once again. Blucher (green 2), for his part, now rallied his troops on the capital and, reinforced, contemplated another attempt at removing the French from Prussian soil.
South West:
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| 10th March |
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| 11th March |
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| 12th March |
The Spanish commander, Morillo (grey 1) prepares a final defence of Spain. Lobau's 6th Corps (blue 10) makes camp overnight and the following morning engages Morillo in The Battle of Croxley-Valle.
A British transport fleet (red N1) prepares to disembark the first of the British Expeditionary Force.
France:
A brief look at the situation in France with two forces making their way to reinforce Napoleon and Grouchy. In the east, the 3rd Corps (blue 9) is making steady progress and should be with Napoleon within a few days. In the west, the Young Guard with the 7th Division (blue 7), are a little further away from Grouchy but also making steady progress.
NEXT: The Battle of Croxley-Valle (Spain)
The French Coast would appear vulnerable to landings by additional expeditionary forces courtesy of the Royal Navy...
ReplyDeleteThe French need to finish off the Spaniards before the BEF can reach then in support!
That's Lobau's plan. He needs to get a move on though. He spent valuable time in amassing his corps some of which had been scattered across the south of France.
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