Nap Campaign: Map Moves 21st March - nightfall 22nd March 1808

Nightfall 21st March

Nightfall 22nd March

A closer look starting with the North West:

Nightfall 21st March

Nightfall 22nd March

Nightfall 22nd March

The allies are now in full flight north towards the Dutch/Belgian border. Ziethen (green 5) has not yet been able to rally his troops to march to Blucher and therefore continues northwards. In the far northwest the British continue to disembark. 

The South West:

Nightfall 21st March

Nightfall 22nd March

In the South West, the Spanish commander, Morillo (grey 1) disobeys Wellington's orders. He cannot wait any longer as French troops trample over his country. He takes his division across the border into Spain. Wellington awaits the arrival of more British troops before moving on Lobau.

Lobau (blue 10) receives a message that Marshal Soult is on his way to take over command with the newly mobilised 4th Corps of Gerard and the 2nd Cavalry Corps of Exelmans (blue 5). The 3 Swiss battalions (blue 4) continue to make their way to join Lobau. The 3rd Cavalry Division of Domon (blue 11) is ordered to return to it's parent unit, the 3rd Corps with Napoleon in the North East.

The North East:

Nightfall 21st March

Nightfall 22nd March

Blucher's army has now rallied on the capital Grissburg (17A7 & 8). The French 3rd Corps (blue 9) had been manoeuvring to surround Blucher when it intercepts Ryssel with the 14th Brigade (green 7) who were en-route to join Blucher. The scene is set for the Battle of Erfurt.

Napoleon aims to hold off his attack until the 3rd Corps is in position. He has some reservations however, as an attack on a large urban area could prove costly with no guarantee of success despite the shaky morale of the Prussians. They are now defending their capital which may well boost their determination to hold out.

Blucher's instinct is to hold the capital but he must also preserve his army. In 3 more days the remainder of his 2nd Corps will have been mobilised at the main Prussian military base of Grazzbenn (13A9) to the north. His Generals urge him to retire on Grazzbenn and then attack Napoleon with the new reinforcements. He is not convinced! 

Nightfall 22nd March

At sea off the west coast of the continent a British fleet (red N1) gradually moves up the French coast looking for targets. To the north a Prussian fleet (green N1) has moved south to protect Nassau from any seaborne threats.

That brings the Napoleonic campaign up to date with the Battle of Erfurt yet to be played out. I do not have a date as yet when this will be done but will hopefully be within the next couple of months. I hope to add a little more detail to future after action reports similar to that of my Waterloo game. 

NEXT: The Battle of Erfurt (Prussia)