Gera Campaign Summary

Master map at start of campaign

Napoleon ordered 3^rd corps to hold the northern flank at Bad Kosen

2^nd and 4^th corps would cross the river Saale in the centre and south

1st corps was is approaching Gera soon

Wittgenstein ordered his three corps to hold their position

They are to attack any enemy who cross the river

4^th corps is approaching Altenburg

14 August 1813

Three battles were fought on the first day of the campaign.

3^rd French corps held the river line against 1^st Russian corps at Bad Kosen

1^st Russian corps defeated 4^th French corps at Domburg.

2^nd French corps drew with 3rd Russian corps at Possneck

15 August 1813

1^st Russian and 3^rd French corps (north) skirmish across the river Saale

4^th French corps (centre) rout towards Erfurt

3^rd Russian corps (south) attack 2^nd French corps as they retreat towards Saalfeld

Outnumbered, and cut off from the bridge, 2^nd French corps is forced to surrender

16 August 1813

Napoleon must decide whether to retreat or attempt to hold the river line

He decides to hold the river, and reorganises his battered corps

3^rd corps will hold the north with three divisions at Bad Kosen

1st corps will hold the south with two divisions at Saalfeld

A new 5^th corps is created to hold the centre with two divisions at Saalfeld

4^th corps will remain at Erfurt until they have recovered and are operational again

The Russian army is badly in need of rest and resupply

Wittgenstein orders 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd corps to hold their present position

4^th corps is ordered to Domburg where it will form the army reserve

17 August 1813

The Russian army spent the day resupplying and reorganising in preparation for the next attack.   Wittgenstein allocated each of the three divisions of 4^th corps to support the other three corps in their advance west.

Napoleon took advantage of the unexpected lull in fighting to rest and resupply his army

15^th division was withdrawn from 3^rd corps to form an army reserve at Weimar

4^th corps was urged to send at least one operational division to Jena

18 August 1813

Wittgenstein attacked again

1^st corps (3 divisions) defeated the two French divisions holding Bad Kosen

2^nd corps (3 divisions) secured a bridgehead but was unable to take Jena

3^rd corps skirmished with the two French divisions at Saalfeld

Napoleon held Jena with the old guard and one line division

As night fell 4^th corps arrived at Jena with two reduced divisions

This decided him to counter attack at Jena next day 

19 August 1813

3^rd French corps attempted to rally on 15^th division at Weimar

1^st French corps held Saalfeld, which was not attacked

Napoleon fought, and lost, a desperate battle at Jena

At midnight he ordered a general retreat

20 August 1813

By first light the whole of the French army was in retreat

The Russian Army crossed the river Saale at Bad Kosen, Jena and Saalfeld

Napoleon had failed his campaign objective of taking Gera

Wittgenstein had achieved a notable victory by crossing the river and defeating Napoleon