Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 5

THE BATTLE OF TROUYS - 5/3/1815

The battlefield at Trouys

Click here to see the Austrian Army involved at Trouys

Click here to see the Spanish Army involved at Trouys

The French Army involved at Trouys:
1st Corps: 3 inf Divs + 1 Light Cav Div 38 guns
4th Cavalry Corps: 2 divs Heavy Cav 12 guns
Young Guard Corps: 3 Inf Divs + 1 Lt Cav Div 60 guns
6th Corps: 2 Inf Divs 30 guns

As a meeting engagement, it meant both sides had to deploy at the same time. I worked out my strategy for the battle, issuing orders to Blake for the Spanish and began deploying.

DEPLOYMENT

I have a large open area to my left which is flanked by a level 5 town (medium size). To my right is a large cluttered area of 2 level 5 towns and some woods and rough fields. I also have a Corps of Spanish which I have deployed to hold the area on the right with the towns and woods.

There is a large hill right in the middle and forward of my open area. I have deployed 1 x Corps on either side of this hill, deploying in depth with brigades all behind each other and 1 brigade wide. On the hill I placed all the Corps artillery for both Corps. That is 4 x Heavy batteries and 4 foot batteries and reinforced it with 1 foot battery from the lead division of each corps on either side. The light division of 1 corps is defending the village on my right flank with its cavalry behind in reserve while the light division of the other corps is defending my gunline with its cavalry on my right flank behind a hill before the Spanish on my extreme right.

 The deployment. The Spanish are yet to deploy. Austrians on the right. French on the left.

 Looking from my commanding position to my left at the town with my light troops in defence. Reserves are in column behind the town.

 Still looking left I see the lead brigades of the lead division of 2nd Korps.

 My central commanding position atop the main hill. In front of me is the artillery from both corps with light troops in support.

 Looking to the right now and we see the lead brigades from 1st Korps.

 Cavalry from the Light Division from 1st Korps holding the right of my line and linking me to the Spanish who start from the woods and town in the picture above.

Looking across at the French and the left shows a brigade of cavalry 

 Moving from left to right we now see massed guns supported by a division of Infantry

 Across from my central command position I can just make out Napoleon himself with his staff and a division of French Infantry covered by a hill and woods.

to the right of the Emperors postion is another mass of French artillery 

To the right of that artillery is another division of French Infantry 

To the extreme right (French left) opposing the built up area I am deploying my Spanish allies into is a divison of French Infantry 

A close up of me encouraging my men as they move into deployment positions.

Click here for Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 6

Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 4

After the battle in the north, the Russians and English withdraw back across the border and out of France. With Ney dead, the French withdraw to reorganise. The Russians eventually move back into France unopposed while the English make a dash for Paris.

In the south, the Austrian and Spanish armies link up in Creuze and then move north into Cher. They are caught up by a fast moving French army which indicates someone very motivating may be in it's presence.

The campaign map with known forces in their locations

 The Russians bypass the remnants of the French forces at the 1st battle and safely enter France

 The English dash for Paris resting just outside of it

The contact between the combined armies of Austria and Spain and the French army in the south

Click here for Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 5



Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 3

The Battle of Fontoy-Flanville

The 1st contact in the 1815 campaign for France occurs in Moselle. The combined Russian and English armies meet a large French army under the command of Marshal Ney.

The battlefield for Fontoy-Flanville with defending French formations shown in blue

Here are a few pictures taken from the battle in which the Russians suffered heavily and were unable to punch through the French defenders. The English fared well after having only lightly been engaged. The French casualties were moderate but included Marshal Ney who was killed outright.

Click here for Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 4

Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 2

 The map of 1815 France with all its departments (provinces):

All 4 armies managed to cross the borders into France in the same week.

The Austrians crossed the border and headed west to link up with the Spanish who had crossed the border and marched north east. Scouts were sent ahead and to the north to ensure a safe link up prior to any interference by the French.

The English had landed in Belgium and marched east to link up with the Russian army as it crossed into France.  The conbined armies cross into Moselle only to be confronted by a French army already partly deployed in front of its route of march. This army had no option but to deploy and fight its way through the French defenders.

Click here for Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 3

Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 1

http://wardepot.blogspot.com/2011/01/campaign-1815-invasion-of-france-part-2.htmlIt is 1815. The allies have forsaken the terms of the "Treaty of Fontainebleau" (primarily due to grave concerns over the military build up by the Emperor Napoleon) and have authorised the invasion of France, commencing on the 10th of February 1815 (the earliest day feasible to all allied members due to the severity of the just past winter).

In the north gathers a large army of Russians. In the southeast a large army of Austrians. A Spanish army gathers on the border of France and Spain and an English army sails for the continent. Can the co-ordinate and use their numbers against Napoleon?

The ultimate objective is Paris, but the destruction of the French army is equally important, the strength of which still cannot be underestimated.

Click here to see Campaign: 1815 Invasion of France - Part 2