Well, this will be my first AAR, it will be a one-shot, short but hopefully sweet. I hope you like it, and its not too dry or boring...
A Short Analysis of the Davoutionic War
Many, many shiploads of volumes have been written about the infamous Davoutionic War. It is estimated that over 750,000 men died in this horrible conflict lasting from 1795-1808.
The war's greatest figure, and perhaps the greatest military genius of all time, was Marshal Louis Davout, later President Davout. It was his victories, and the cult of personality that developed around him that brought France to its current Superpower status.
Although, the history of the war is well known today, and its outcome seems almost predestined , we must remember that in 1795 things seemed bleak for the fledgling French Republic.
France was beginning to emerge from a period of unrest, and the orgy of violence that was the "French Revolution." France had been at war for three years now, against the Hapsburg monarchy, Spain, Prussia, England, and Sardinia.
France took the offensive, ready to spread its new ideals to all of Europe. Hoche, a competent commander, went south and waged a brilliant strategic campaign against the Spanish. Though admittedly the Spanish army was in poor condition, Hoche's near lightning war was still a great accomplishment. His 65,000-man army engaged the much smaller 17,000 strong Spanish in the Battle of Navarra, scoring a complete victory. Hoche then assaulted the strong fortifications of Navarra, winning again despite heavy odds. In the next year, Hoche would again meet the Spanish at Catalonia, and before the end of 1796, Madrid was in French hands. Spain became a mere satellite nation of France, and France was free to focus on the East.
In Sardinia, the young Louis Davout was about to begin his long road to fame. His army, numbering 65,000 men crossed into Northern Italy, and smashed a smaller Sardinian army, in what became known as the Battle of Piedmonte. Though, Piedmonte was heavily defended Davout led a brilliant assault. The attack was one of the bloodiest battles of the early war. It is estimated that 30,000 French infantry and cavalry died attacking the fortress, in the sweltering August Mediterranean heat.
Davout was reported to have said to his demoralized men after the battle,
"Come now, the enemies of France fall back in fear. Their mightiest fortress has fallen. Let us not dwell on the dead. Their time will come, for now we must push on."
Push on they did. The capitol of Sardinia was taken after a small battle. The Sardinians are said to have lost around 5000 men, the French around 2,000. Sardinia, seeing itself without an army and its two main provinces occupied by Frenchmen, would have accepted nearly any terms. Davout, realizing the strategic importance of a link to Austria, simply asked for military access through Sardinia in the future for war.
Davout returned to Paris, and a victory parade was held in his honor.
A soldier of his Old Guard would recall
"It was one of the most glorious moments of my life. Even though we would face hard times ahead, that parade made me forget for a brief while, the horror of Sardinia, seeing the dead bodies piled high. How I wish my brother could have been there to see it."
Davout and his army rested in Paris, while a young Corsican general named Bonaparte defeated the British in Holland and Northern Germany. Bonaparte's campaign recieved little attention, for Davout was the hero of the moment. Nonetheless, 20,000 good men died in the campaign.
Hoche died soon after the North German campaign ended.
Davout spoke to the Directory, in his usual serious manner, "My army is growing soft. Every minute we waste the enemies of France grow stronger, I suggest that we raise several thousand more troops, and begin the conquest of the hated Prussians."
The French army was expanded considerably in 1798. Davout and his senior Lieutenant Napoleon Bonaparte planned to invade Prussia from the conquered British portion of North Germany.
In 1799, three French armies each roughly consisting of 75,000 men set out for Prussia. Bonaparte's army was the first to come into contact with the main Prussian army of 66,000 men. His attack was costly and ineffective. Davout was later to have said of Napoleon "I think the man was ambitious, and talented. But, his poor strategy nearly cost us the battle that day. Napoleon should thank his lucky stars I was there to help him. God knows he couldn't have won a real battle on his own."
The Battle of Magdeburg was swinging against the French when Davout arrived. His army encircled and completely destroyed the now significantly outnumbered Prussians. It was a brilliant strategy. The Battle of Magdeburg was the largest single engagement of the Davoutionic Wars, and has been studied ever since. The French lost around 30,000 men, and the Prussians suffered 66,000 casualties.
The Prussians no longer had a real army. Napoleon's mauled force was given the easy task of besieging and capturing Berlin. What followed for the next year was the complete subjugation of Prussia. Through siege after siege, the whole of Prussia was conquered. The Prussians, war weary and suffering from revolt, eagerly agreed to become vassals of France.
Davout later said of Prussia, "Their soldiers were brave, and they fought hard. They were simply on the wrong side of the war."
Prussia would suffer a long period of instability, but their suffering was light compared to Davout's next target.
Davout was convinced that victory could never truly be achieved until France's ancient enemy was defeated. Davout was about to embark on his most brilliant campaign.
The French admiral Villaneuve knew that the French navy was outnumbered when facing the combined force of Britain's navy. He set about engaging small groups of ships, with the full bulk of his navy. Through this slow process, the British navy was virtually annihalated, and the stage was set for the invasion of Britain.
Davout crossed the channel in 1803, and set about subduing all of Southern England. His men were proud, and knew that victory was at hand. Britain's largest army, 30,000 strong stood ready to defend London against Davout's 50,000 men. As happened in nearly all his battles, Davout outthought and annihalated the opponent. His opponent, Sir Aurthur Wellesley would later say, "Had I won the battle that day, I would be the greatest hero in England. But I could not deny Davout that day. He was the man of destiny. His presence on the field alone was worth 30,000 men." The French suffered 10,000 dead and wounded, to Britain's 30,000.
Paris was gleeful of the news the following week that London was captured. Meanwhile, Napoleon Bonaparte was on the move. He met the Austrians in the fields of a small town called Waterloo, and won a heavy victory, saving the Netherlands from Austrian hands. Napoleon said "Waterloo was my greatest victory of the war, nonetheless I could have conquered the moon and people would not have noticed, because of what Davout was doing."
England soon accepted peace, though its stubborn refusals at first caused resentment from the population. England was forced to pay an enormous sum of money, and was forced to vow to never make war with France again.
Davout dictated the terms of the peace to King George III himself. Davout later said "It was the greatest moment of my life. Had I wanted to, I could have reached my hand across the channel and declared myself Emperor that day, and the people would have loved me for it. Perfidious Albion, our greatest enemy, was reduced to a second class power. We alone would be masters of Europe."
England was broken, its many colonies in open revolt, and Scotland would soon win its freedom. In Canada, Quebec declared its independance. A rebellious army of English citizens rose up and besieged London itself.
The only power left on the continent was Austria. Davout, brimming with confidence, returned to Paris, and began planning. He would make use of his access through Sardinia, and finally end the war.
Davout, with Napoleon by his side, marched into Northern Italy. He easily defeated the main Austrian army in the Battle of Lombardia. Then, he besieged and captured the enormous fortress of Mantua. Napoleon would take Salzburg, and Davout marched on Vienna. The Austrian army put up little resistance. After a 6 month siege, Vienna surrendered. Austria would not admit defeat however.
In the final great battle of the Davoutian Wars, Davout led thirty thousand men into Odenburg, and completely destroyed the Austrian army of equal size. The bleak winter setting of the battle only added to the nightmarish feeling of the entire scene. Austrian bodies were said to have been piled so high, that they themselves were used as cover for the entrenched Austrians. With Russia joining the war on Davout's side, Austria had no choice but to sue for peace. France gained Lombardia, and a large reperations.
Davout returned to Paris with Napoleon by his side. Davout used his power and influence to overthrow the inefficient Directory. Though, Napoleon suggested that he should declare himself Emperor, Davout vowed that France would remain a Democracy. Davout became the First President of the French Republic. He would lead France through many years of Peace after that.
A Short Analysis of the Davoutionic War
Many, many shiploads of volumes have been written about the infamous Davoutionic War. It is estimated that over 750,000 men died in this horrible conflict lasting from 1795-1808.
The war's greatest figure, and perhaps the greatest military genius of all time, was Marshal Louis Davout, later President Davout. It was his victories, and the cult of personality that developed around him that brought France to its current Superpower status.
Although, the history of the war is well known today, and its outcome seems almost predestined , we must remember that in 1795 things seemed bleak for the fledgling French Republic.
France was beginning to emerge from a period of unrest, and the orgy of violence that was the "French Revolution." France had been at war for three years now, against the Hapsburg monarchy, Spain, Prussia, England, and Sardinia.
France took the offensive, ready to spread its new ideals to all of Europe. Hoche, a competent commander, went south and waged a brilliant strategic campaign against the Spanish. Though admittedly the Spanish army was in poor condition, Hoche's near lightning war was still a great accomplishment. His 65,000-man army engaged the much smaller 17,000 strong Spanish in the Battle of Navarra, scoring a complete victory. Hoche then assaulted the strong fortifications of Navarra, winning again despite heavy odds. In the next year, Hoche would again meet the Spanish at Catalonia, and before the end of 1796, Madrid was in French hands. Spain became a mere satellite nation of France, and France was free to focus on the East.
In Sardinia, the young Louis Davout was about to begin his long road to fame. His army, numbering 65,000 men crossed into Northern Italy, and smashed a smaller Sardinian army, in what became known as the Battle of Piedmonte. Though, Piedmonte was heavily defended Davout led a brilliant assault. The attack was one of the bloodiest battles of the early war. It is estimated that 30,000 French infantry and cavalry died attacking the fortress, in the sweltering August Mediterranean heat.
Davout was reported to have said to his demoralized men after the battle,
"Come now, the enemies of France fall back in fear. Their mightiest fortress has fallen. Let us not dwell on the dead. Their time will come, for now we must push on."
Push on they did. The capitol of Sardinia was taken after a small battle. The Sardinians are said to have lost around 5000 men, the French around 2,000. Sardinia, seeing itself without an army and its two main provinces occupied by Frenchmen, would have accepted nearly any terms. Davout, realizing the strategic importance of a link to Austria, simply asked for military access through Sardinia in the future for war.
Davout returned to Paris, and a victory parade was held in his honor.
A soldier of his Old Guard would recall
"It was one of the most glorious moments of my life. Even though we would face hard times ahead, that parade made me forget for a brief while, the horror of Sardinia, seeing the dead bodies piled high. How I wish my brother could have been there to see it."
Davout and his army rested in Paris, while a young Corsican general named Bonaparte defeated the British in Holland and Northern Germany. Bonaparte's campaign recieved little attention, for Davout was the hero of the moment. Nonetheless, 20,000 good men died in the campaign.
Hoche died soon after the North German campaign ended.
Davout spoke to the Directory, in his usual serious manner, "My army is growing soft. Every minute we waste the enemies of France grow stronger, I suggest that we raise several thousand more troops, and begin the conquest of the hated Prussians."
The French army was expanded considerably in 1798. Davout and his senior Lieutenant Napoleon Bonaparte planned to invade Prussia from the conquered British portion of North Germany.
In 1799, three French armies each roughly consisting of 75,000 men set out for Prussia. Bonaparte's army was the first to come into contact with the main Prussian army of 66,000 men. His attack was costly and ineffective. Davout was later to have said of Napoleon "I think the man was ambitious, and talented. But, his poor strategy nearly cost us the battle that day. Napoleon should thank his lucky stars I was there to help him. God knows he couldn't have won a real battle on his own."
The Battle of Magdeburg was swinging against the French when Davout arrived. His army encircled and completely destroyed the now significantly outnumbered Prussians. It was a brilliant strategy. The Battle of Magdeburg was the largest single engagement of the Davoutionic Wars, and has been studied ever since. The French lost around 30,000 men, and the Prussians suffered 66,000 casualties.
The Prussians no longer had a real army. Napoleon's mauled force was given the easy task of besieging and capturing Berlin. What followed for the next year was the complete subjugation of Prussia. Through siege after siege, the whole of Prussia was conquered. The Prussians, war weary and suffering from revolt, eagerly agreed to become vassals of France.
Davout later said of Prussia, "Their soldiers were brave, and they fought hard. They were simply on the wrong side of the war."
Prussia would suffer a long period of instability, but their suffering was light compared to Davout's next target.
Davout was convinced that victory could never truly be achieved until France's ancient enemy was defeated. Davout was about to embark on his most brilliant campaign.
The French admiral Villaneuve knew that the French navy was outnumbered when facing the combined force of Britain's navy. He set about engaging small groups of ships, with the full bulk of his navy. Through this slow process, the British navy was virtually annihalated, and the stage was set for the invasion of Britain.
Davout crossed the channel in 1803, and set about subduing all of Southern England. His men were proud, and knew that victory was at hand. Britain's largest army, 30,000 strong stood ready to defend London against Davout's 50,000 men. As happened in nearly all his battles, Davout outthought and annihalated the opponent. His opponent, Sir Aurthur Wellesley would later say, "Had I won the battle that day, I would be the greatest hero in England. But I could not deny Davout that day. He was the man of destiny. His presence on the field alone was worth 30,000 men." The French suffered 10,000 dead and wounded, to Britain's 30,000.
Paris was gleeful of the news the following week that London was captured. Meanwhile, Napoleon Bonaparte was on the move. He met the Austrians in the fields of a small town called Waterloo, and won a heavy victory, saving the Netherlands from Austrian hands. Napoleon said "Waterloo was my greatest victory of the war, nonetheless I could have conquered the moon and people would not have noticed, because of what Davout was doing."
England soon accepted peace, though its stubborn refusals at first caused resentment from the population. England was forced to pay an enormous sum of money, and was forced to vow to never make war with France again.
Davout dictated the terms of the peace to King George III himself. Davout later said "It was the greatest moment of my life. Had I wanted to, I could have reached my hand across the channel and declared myself Emperor that day, and the people would have loved me for it. Perfidious Albion, our greatest enemy, was reduced to a second class power. We alone would be masters of Europe."
England was broken, its many colonies in open revolt, and Scotland would soon win its freedom. In Canada, Quebec declared its independance. A rebellious army of English citizens rose up and besieged London itself.
The only power left on the continent was Austria. Davout, brimming with confidence, returned to Paris, and began planning. He would make use of his access through Sardinia, and finally end the war.
Davout, with Napoleon by his side, marched into Northern Italy. He easily defeated the main Austrian army in the Battle of Lombardia. Then, he besieged and captured the enormous fortress of Mantua. Napoleon would take Salzburg, and Davout marched on Vienna. The Austrian army put up little resistance. After a 6 month siege, Vienna surrendered. Austria would not admit defeat however.
In the final great battle of the Davoutian Wars, Davout led thirty thousand men into Odenburg, and completely destroyed the Austrian army of equal size. The bleak winter setting of the battle only added to the nightmarish feeling of the entire scene. Austrian bodies were said to have been piled so high, that they themselves were used as cover for the entrenched Austrians. With Russia joining the war on Davout's side, Austria had no choice but to sue for peace. France gained Lombardia, and a large reperations.
Davout returned to Paris with Napoleon by his side. Davout used his power and influence to overthrow the inefficient Directory. Though, Napoleon suggested that he should declare himself Emperor, Davout vowed that France would remain a Democracy. Davout became the First President of the French Republic. He would lead France through many years of Peace after that.
