Spanish Campaign History

British Gunners fight head to head with French gunners at close range, the result is  total destruction for the gunners on both sides from canister 

French Troops in the South hold the bridge fort.

 Portuguese's Forces charge over the Bridge West of Madrid 12th August

Talavera 

Battle of Talavera.

MAWS Black Panthers Spanish Campaign History

1808

Build Up to Invasion.

After the French and Spanish defeat at Trafalgar the alliance between the two countries began to brake up. Napoleons hold on the Royal Family of Spain began to slip.

Prince Ferdinand plotted to dethrone his father Charles IV and was arrested. In 1808 Napoleon used the internal dissent to his advantage. Charles was induced to abdicate and retire to Rome with his Queen, which left Napoleon free to proclaim Joseph Bonaparte as the new king of Spain.

Napoleon sent troops into Spain to support the new king Joseph, which led to insurrection and war between the two Nations.

None Historic Campaign Game History

Portugal had surrendered to the Continental system and declared themselves Neutral in 1801, after a brief war with Spain. In secret they still traded with the United Kingdom.

In 1807 Napoleon sent a force into Portugal to enforce the ban on trade with Britain, the British reacted by sending a force to instate neutrality back to Portugal.

A treaty was made and the French force was allowed to retire back to France (one year earlier than in history) in British ships.

The British then left two forces in Portugal at Lisbon and Oporto.

April 1808

French forces march into Spain with 4 corps, two in the North and two in the South. Spanish garrisons at Lerida, Tarragona and Barcelona surrender without a fight to the 2^nd and 4^th corps,

13^th April

In the North Spanish resistance is crushed by the 1^st and 3^rd corps, a Battle takes place outside Burgos at Gamonal against the 1^st Spanish Corps controlled by General Castanos and the 3^rd French corps controlled by General Mermont. Over 27000 Spanish confront 28000 French. The battle is a disaster for the Spanish.

14^th April

Burgos is captured by the French who leave a garrison and continue to give chase to the retreating Spanish force heading south towards Valladolid, meanwhile the 1^st corps moved along the north coast capturing Santander, Bilbao and San Sebastion.

May 1808

Most of the North East coast and North coast are now under French control, British forces in Portugal begin to march into Spain heading North towards Corunna and East towards Madrid. The 1^st Spanish corps camps outside Madrid but does not construct defenses around the city.

4^th May

French forces attack the city of Valladolid, which is only defended by a small group of civilians; a blood bath takes place within the city raising the Spanish hatred of the French.

6^th May

At sea a Russian fleet under a French flag attacks a small British fleet leaving Lisbon, the British ships escape but Lisbon harbor is attacked and the docks are fired. War is declared between Portugal and France as a result.

9^th May

French 4^th Corps march towards Madrid from the North East from Saragossa and take up camp at Alcala North of Madrid.

June 1808

15^th June

Spanish and British forces engage the 4^thFrench corps forces controlled by General Soult at El Goloso five miles North of Madrid, 24000 French attack 27000 Spanish and 21000 British, the result an Allied victory. The French forces retreat back to Alcala where they prepare to defend the town. They are attacked 3 days later by the 1^st British corps controlled by General Moore and 3^rd Spanish corps controlled by General San Juan, the British force the French out of the town in hand to hand combat.

20^th June

The French retreat back to Burgos followed by the Allied forces and another battle takes place South of Burgos at Saldana de Burgos. Only British and French forces are engaged in this battle, the British are given a bloody nose and are forced to retreat back to Madrid.

29th June

15 miles South of Madrid the Spanish 2^nd Corps controlled by General Palafox and French 2^nd Corps controlled by General Jerome Napoleon confront at Fuentiduena de Tajo, 19000 French attack a force of 22000 Spanish and force the Spanish to retreat back towards Madrid.

29^th June

To the North West of Madrid General San Juan marches his army towards Valladolid and engages French forces at Villacastin. Spanish forces are beaten back from the town by French fire power. Spanish forces retreat out of gun range and dig in.

July 1808

1^st July

General Soult makes camp in Burgos and awaits reinforcements, meanwhile General Barron Bachelu advances his army and captures Lugo after the British 2^nd abandon the city. The British 2^nd corps under the young General Wellesley retreat to Santiago and fortifies the city.

1^st July

At Villacastin another battle takes place between the Spanish, British and French. 28000 French engage 55000 Allied troops, General Mermont is forced to retreat from the town and regroup in the mountains.

5^th July

The Spanish forces at Villacastin retreat back to Madrid leaving the British to hold the pass through the mountains, British forces are attacked again by Mermonts force and manage to hold the French back.

6^th July

South of Madrid at San Fernando de Henares the French 2^nd Corps launch another attack on the Spanish held bridge. The battle ends with the French backing away and regrouping.

7^th July

The following day Jerome’s force attacks the bridge again but the bridge is blown and the battle ends with no overall winner. This leaves Jerome to look for another way across the river to Madrid, he sends scouts to find a crossing.

9^th July

North of Madrid French forces under General Soult engage San Juans force at El Pardo, the French try and capture the fort at El Pardo but are beaten to it. They are forced to regroup and head towards Madrid.

9^th July

At San Fernando de Henares the 2^nd French corps forces find a ford by chance, French Scouts discover a Spanish battalion bathing in the river. The ford is captured and French forces cross to flank the Spanish resulting in a Spanish retreat back to Madrid.

12th July

British forces at Villacastin are again attacked by French forces, 25000 French attack15000 British. Moore’s army is beaten out of the town. They are forced to retreat at a fast march back to Madrid.

14th July

Soults force attacks Madrid, which is defended by General Hoyas Travalas and the 1^st Division of the Spanish 3^rd Corps. Hoyas force put up a brave fight and San Juans reinforcements arrive to late to save the city from being captured. San Juan and his army retreat West towards Talavera.

28^th July

General Wellesley advances on the city of Lugo and attacks the city from the East and West, the French retreat into the city and the siege of Lugo begins.

29^th July

At El Carpio de Tajo General Palafox , General Moore and General San Juan’s forces meet, they engage the French 2^nd Corps under General Jerome Napoleon and are pushed back to Talavera.

August 1808

3^rd August

At Talavera the Allies are meet by the Portuguese, they plan to trap the advancing French. The British are reinforced with fresh troops from Portugal. 90000 Allies mass around the city and in the countryside awaiting the 23000 French 2^nd Corps. The French attacked the city but when the Portuguese attacked from the rear and flank the French had to retreat North into the mountains to escape being destroyed.

11th August
General Wellesley's force fall back to the river and the siege of Lugo ends, allied forces continue to patrol the surrounding area with Spanish scouts. French forces within the city begin the search for food and fresh mounts for the horseless cavalry who slaughtered half their horses to feed the army.
12th August
A large Battle takes place West of Madrid between the Spanish, British and Portuguese forces and French Forces. The French 2nd Corps managed to save the right wing of Soults Corp and pushed the Spanish South into the Portuguese lines positioned West of Madrid. French forces in the center held the road to Madrid from the Portuguese giving Soults remaining beaten Southern force time to retreat back into the city. British forces now held the South West plains of Madrid.