Nap Campaign: Map Moves 3rd - 13th April 1808

There follows a lull in the fighting as all 3 French thrusts are held. The French had enjoyed a significant amount of success until these simultaneous setbacks. Had any one of them achieved victory freeing up resources for the other two, the allies may well have been facing defeat in the campaign. Victory is not assured for the allies yet though with the French switching to defence.

I will begin with the strategic maps giving an overview before zooming in one each theatre for more detail. I have not included every day's movements to avoid being swamped in maps, but it should be sufficient to indicate what has happened. 

3rd April

Continued -

6th April

10th April

13th April

NORTH WEST

3rd April

This is the situation at the end of the day following the battle of Holbrook at the top of the map. The French attempt to drive onto the British disembarkation port (beneath yellow N1) has failed utterly with heavy loss. 

5th April

Grouchy now disengages seeking suitable terrain where he can make maximum use of his cavalry and artillery. His numbers have grown a little with the arrival of a new draft of recruits. A messenger is sent to D'Erlon (blue 6), who had been pursuing Col Best's Hanoverians (yellow 4) with 2 infantry and 1 cavalry division, to reunite with the French main force (blue 7).

8th April

Grouchy's recombined army now camps with the large town of Newton-Minster to his rear. The allied army under the command of General Hill has received more reinforcements and is confident that he will soon be able to take the fight to the French.

13th April

Hill waits it out as more reinforcements arrive. Red 4 is Blantyre's newly disembarked 11th Infantry Brigade with a regiment of KGL dragoons in support who moves to defend a river crossing should the French attempt a flanking move.

NORTH EAST

3rd April

Napoleon (blue 1) continues to retreat seeking advantageous terrain to make a stand. Blue 11 is Domon's cavalry brigade that had been transferred from the south to rejoin the 3rd Corps. The Prussians have reformed their corps and now each label corresponds with their respective corps number. Blucher with the 1st and 2nd Corps follow Napoleon leaving the battered 4th Corps in reserve. The 3td Corps will be fully mobilised later in the month.

6th April

The Prussian 4th Corps fell back to Grazzbenn as Blucher continues to follow Napoleon south.

10th April

Napoleon finally makes halts his retreat and prepares for a Prussian attack. Blucher though is content to wait - time is on his side! Blucher decides the 4th Corps has had enough rest and is ordered to move out of Grazzbenn towards his position.

13th April

The Prussian 4th Corps takes up position to threaten Napoleon's left flank. Neither side decides to make a move and gaze at each other across the Prussian terrain.

SOUTH WEST

3rd April

Having failed to capture Portugal, Marshall Soult (blue 5) with the Army of the South goes onto the defensive. Although Lobau (blue 2) has eliminated any immediate threat to the flank at the Battle of Sanlucar, the Spanish amassing to the north present a more serious threat. The French will therefore consolidate their forces and aim to defeat the Anglo/Portuguese/Spanish army utilising their advantage in cavalry, artillery and quality.

Wellington (red 10) for his part is more than happy to shadow the French as they retreat into Spain.

4th April

The main French force, consisting of the 4th and 6th Corps with the 2nd Cavalry Corps were now joined by the 20th Division pulled out of the Spanish capital. Grouchy is intent on holding at least part of Spain hoping the approaching 22nd (Confederation of the Rhine) Division from the north east joins them in good time.

The last of the British reinforcements had disembarked (red 12) and moved to join Wellington. They consisted of 3 infantry and 1 cavalry brigade.

7th April

It soon becomes obvious to Grouchy that the 22nd Division will not make it in time and there is a danger he will be cut off by the Spanish forces to the north (grey 2).

9th April

Grouchy steals a march on Wellington taking the roads to the north. The 22nd Division (blue 8) have collected the remnants of 3 Swiss battalions that had taken a mauling at the hands of the Spanish Guerillas (see 'Skirmish at Rock Valley').

11th April

Grouchy pulls back into France having completely abandoned Spain. Now merged with the 22nd Division that has been placed in the 6th Corps, he seeks to find a suitable location to make a stand. The two blue counters represent each of the Corps.

To the north west is the small band of Spanish Guerillas that had ambushed the Swiss (grey 4).

I should add that I limit the number in each square to 1,500 although occasionally lapsed slightly on that.

13th April

Grouchy decides he will retreat no further and so sets the scene for the next battle of the campaign, and the first in France, the Battle of Presscot (the village to the rear of the French position).

NEXT: The Battle of Presscot.