Nap Campaign: Map Moves 25th March - nightfall 27th March 1808

Starting with an overview of the entire campaign area over the 3 days:

Nightfall 25th March

Nightfall 26th March

Nightfall 27th March

I will now zoom in on the 3 theatres: North West, North East and South West.

Continued -


North Western sector:

Nightfall 25th March

Nightfall 26th March

Nightfall 27th March

The routing Dutch, Brunswickers and Hanoverians are pursued by Grouchy (blue 7) deep into Dutch territory. The Hanoverians successfully rallied but with the others continuing to rout they have no choice but to continue north.

Chasse (Orange 2) with Col Best's Hanoverians decide to make a stand at the neck of a peninsular. Col Best argued that they should continue north as per his orders to link up with the British. Chasse however believed they could hold up any approaching French forces and may even gain an opportunity to threaten the rear of the main French force. As the senior officer present his decision was final! D'Erlon (blue 6) received reports of Chasse's move and sees no option but to follow.

North Eastern Sector:

Nightfall 25th March

Nightfall 26th March

Nightfall 27th March

Napoleon, uncharacteristically, does not take the opportunity of destroying the Prussians in detail. The infantry of the 2nd and 3rd Corps have suffered heavily over several engagements with the assault on Grissburg taking a particularly heavy toll. With the capture of Grissburg he is content for the time being to allow his troops to recuperate and await newly recruited reinforcements to replace some of his losses. Reille (Blue 3) is reinforced though as reports are received of the approach of a Prussian force from the south west.

Blucher now has a dilemma. He needs to consolidate his forces but at the same time he is aware that several strategically important ports and towns will be vulnerable should the French break out north. He takes the risky decision of placing the survivors of 5 Brigades under the command of Pirch (green 1) with orders to head north initially for the large town of Daura (2A22). He is to await further orders and allow his troops to reorganise and rest. Blucher escorted by Watzdorf's cavalry brigade (green 4) heads towards the newly mobilised brigades of the 2nd Corps (green 2) to begin the process of rebuilding his main army to deal with Napoleon.

Ziethen with a little over half of the 1st Corps (green 5) is now aware that Blucher has been defeated with the loss of the capital. He must navigate his way north to link up with whatever is left of the Prussian army hoping to avoid contact with the main French army.

South Western sector:

Nightfall 25th March

Nightfall 26th March

Nightfall 27th March

Marshall Soult has now arrived with the 4th Corps and 2nd Cavalry Corps which, together with the 6th Corps form the Army of the South (blue 5).

Wellington (red 10) falls back in the face of the much larger French force. The remainder of his command are still on ships en-route. He must buy time until reinforced. A piece of good news for him being that the commander of the newly mobilised Spanish 2nd Division, Iglesias (grey 3) has responded to his call and are moving in his direction. Morillo (grey 1) stubbornly refuses to obey Wellington's order to abandon his capital, Brandenlea, having just re-occupied it. Repeated messengers sent appealing for him to see sense has had no effect. He will defend his capital to the last! As reports of the French movements are received, Morillo moves his small force out to the mountainous terrain to the north of Brandenlea intending to block any attempt by the French to seize the capital.

With French scouts reporting to Soult of Spanish troops seen to the north of Brandenlea, he detaches Lobau with the 6th Corps (blue 9) to capture the capital and deal with any Spanish resistance.

As Lobau moves towards Brandenlea he sees Spanish troops ahead of him. So begins the 2nd battle of Brandenlea.

I have broadened the last map to include red N1 being the main British fleet which is now blockading the main French port. The French fleet are holed up!

NEXT: The 2nd Battle of Brandenlea.