Alternate Napoleon Invasion of Russia

Napoleon in 1812 made the decision to invade Russia as Czar Alexander I was showing no sign of willingness to co-operate. The decision to drive toward Moscow combined with a number of other bad decision resulted in a giant disaster for both Napoleon and France.
However, I have always wondered if some changes were made might it have been a success.
Let start with a few changes and see if they might help to alter the course. Napoleon was finally convinced by his advisers that there was a need to bring the fighting in Spain to an end. The Spanish Ulcer was just draining resources from France that could be better used elsewhere. For this reason he finally gave an approval by his foreign Minister to reach some sort of a settlement with the Spanish Bourbons that would allow France to remove itself from the war there. His brother might not like the fact that he was having to give up his throne but it would take place.
The Emperor had begun to think that another invasion plan might be better. A thrust to the north aimed at the Imperial Capital of St Petersburg.. He could dangle Finland at the Swedes . The Swedish Government was still feeling the loss of Finland and if the could be assured of a French Victory then they would join the war and Alexander would have to face a threat from both the French and from the Swedes advancing from the west.
Another proposal was one that he kept hearing from Poles restore the Kingdom of Poland. He had created the Grand Duchy of Warsaw so it was possible and it might bring him more troops.
He would make sure that the Czar is kept guessing as to what his target was to be but he would make sure that Davout and some of his other Marshals was aware of the true target
 
He still has to contend with the Russian winter. Then there's the Cossacks to deal with. But maybe if he allied with the Swedes, Napoleon might do better.
 
The problem with Spain is that the point of the Peninsular war was not to subjugate Spain, necessarily, but rather to deny the British.

Pulling out is much more of a problem than it seems in hindsight. To guarantee France's southern border, not only would a peace be needed, but on top of that Napoleon would have to secure Spanish support -against- Britain (or at the very least, neutrality), which, as I see it, is downright impossible.

No, for the fighting with Spain to cease, Napoleon needs to decisively win the Peninsular war, install his brother or whomever (Murat might be a good choice, especially given his predilection toward brutal crackdowns---he could just stay there with an army, declare a martial republic under the French Empire, silence the republicans AND the royalists), and then he can move forward with his plans elsewhere.

I'm still not entirely sure how to accomplish this. Any occupation will be met with fierce resistance, and a client state might not be any more feasible than was the French occupation during the war. Napoleon can win all the battles he wants, but if he can't enforce his rule than there's no point in it. He was a tactical genius...less of a strategist.
 
I have always thought that it was a big mistake on Napoleon's part to get involved in Spain. Napoleon was tired of the constant bickering between the King and the Crown Prince. I don't know if Murat would have been any better at controlling Spain but definitely an effort should have been made that would have allowed the French to withdraw while assuring the safety of Southern France. It might have been possible to do this in 1812 while the French were far stronger. still the effort needed to be made.
As for Russia the benefit with attacking St Petersburg rather than Moscow is it easier to maintain the lines of communication. The fighting had to be over before the end of October. One can't fight in Russia during the winter without facing the prospect of losing all too many troops.
The advantage with attacking St Petersburg is that it increases the chance of Sweden entering the war. As I pointed out Sweden was still angry at having lost Finland to Russia so it would be eager too get it back.
 
Problem with Saint-Petersbourg offensive is that it would have required to cross big marshes, forests and rivers. That would definitely be a problem for maintaining communication lines.
And forget about using Baltic Sea for that, giving the Royal Navy and Russian navy there.

At this point, Napoléon should just have withdraw on Smolensk and stay in Bielorussia and Ukraine, helding the provinces hostage long enough to force a compromise.

Eventually, don't forget that the emperor didn't wanted to capture cities, but annihilate armies : he followed the Russian troops more than searching to target Moscow itself.
 
Some sources posit that if Nap had listened to Davout (who I believe to be superior militarily to Nap) Russia would have gone far differently.
 
Some sources posit that if Nap had listened to Davout (who I believe to be superior militarily to Nap) Russia would have gone far differently.

Hell, if Boney had done as planned and sat out the winter in Smolensk whilst he reorganised his supply lines behind him, before going for Moscow in 1813, he might possibly have not lost as badly.
 
For Sweden to join with Napoleon there has to be no seizure of Swedish Pomerania. With the seizure there's no way in hell to get Bernadotte back on sdie.

Keeping Turkey against Russia simply requires a firm commitment of support by Napoleon.
 
As the French Allied Grand Army prepared to launch its offensive into Russia the Emperor awaited word from Sweden. A secret offer had been made to return Swedish Pomerania . In return Sweden would launch an offensive toward St Petersburg. The Emperor had had a discussion with His Marshals. He had been convinced not to drive deep into Russia.. The experience of the battles in 1807 had shown that a campaign in the east could be very costly to an army. The Emperor was well aware that it would be a mistake to take too many chances.
After debating things with his advisers he had decided that the Proclamation of the Kingdom of Poland would gain him what he needed the most a source of additional manpower.
There was word that progress had been made in a deal to end the fighting in Spain. The French were still strong in Spain so the deal that appeared to be made would allow the Bourbons to retake the throne and would ensure the safety of Southern France. Spain would not likely be a French ally but would become a neutral. Napoleon was well aware that Spain was going to have problems in the New World and perhaps that might convince the Spanish King to keep any deal with France.
 
No, for the fighting with Spain to cease, Napoleon needs to decisively win the Peninsular war, install his brother or whomever (Murat might be a good choice, especially given his predilection toward brutal crackdowns---he could just stay there with an army, declare a martial republic under the French Empire, silence the republicans AND the royalists), and then he can move forward with his plans elsewhere.

I'm still not entirely sure how to accomplish this. Any occupation will be met with fierce resistance, and a client state might not be any more feasible than was the French occupation during the war. Napoleon can win all the battles he wants, but if he can't enforce his rule than there's no point in it. He was a tactical genius...less of a strategist.

I don't think there could be a decisive way to win the Peninsula War. Spain would never stand for long to be an occupied power with its territorial integrity destroyed (the annexation of Catalonia in violation of Joseph's promised, the proposed annexation of Navarre in violation of Napoleon's promises). The French desecrated churches, they destroyed cities, they raped and looted Spanish women and properties, the Spanish had to PAY for the occupation of French troops with their taxes priceless treasures of art were shippped to France as booty (along with everything else - remember Joseph was BURIED with the insignia of the Golden Fleece, a dynastic order he was never in control of or awarded and he lived in America off proceeds from stolen Spanish crown jewels).

At some point the French Empire would combust. Napoleon and the French themselves had set off the dynamite of nationalism. How long do you think a unfited Italy, the Confederation of the Rhine, or annexed Holland (which didn't even speak French) would tolerate being controlled from Paris and having to pay with blood and manpower for France's glory.

The Spanish ulcer and the Russian invasion were all elements of Bonaparte's innate hubris. At some point it would happen again and replacing the well-meaning and ineffectual Joseph with Murat, who would have slaughtered his "subjects" with a second's thought would have just alienated the the remaining afrencscos/josefinos who collaborated with France, and set up a future bloodbath for "King" Murat and the French.
 
Napoleon had finally decided that a correction needed to be made. His brother was a disaster and there had been too many miscalculation . The peace agreement would have to be made now while the French were still strong. The Spanish Bourbons would regain the throne and Napoleon would honor the past agreement. Thus Spanish lands would be restored to Spain. In return Spain would stay neutral during the conflict.
The Emperor was now concentrating on the future invasion of Russia.
He was sure that the Czar and the Russian Military would never expect a thrust toward St Petersburg but his Chief engineer said that while it would be difficult it was not impossible. He would also make some thrust to convince the Russians that his target was Moscow. But he now believed that a thrust toward that city was impossible to safely accomplish in one campaign season. He did not want to have the Grand Army worn out and too deep in Russia. He had been reminded that the 1807 campaign had been difficult and this one could be much worse.
 
While French diplomacy was attempting to reach an agreement with the Spanish Bourbons Napoleon was setting the launch date for the offensive into Russia. The thrust would be in several directions. The Thrust toward St Petersburg would receive additional French Engineers.
As much as possible needed to be captured intact so that it could be repaired and used for depots. Napoleon now believed that to knock out Russia would require a two year campaign. The secret agreement with Sweden would bring the Swedish Army into Finland opening a second front. Thus Alexander would find that he would have to make a choice of where to defend.
No matter what the French thrust into Russia would need to be over by the 15th of September. This would allow the French allied army to be totally prepared fro the winter.
Napoleon had also encouraged the Ottomans to make war on Russia. Once again it would force Alexander to make a choice and no matter which one he made it would create problems for him.
 
Of course it would make things easier if Napoleon found a solution to the spanish quagmire before the Russian campaign. But it is not necessary.

Just have Napoleon stick to his original plan against Russia, that is a 2 years campaign to snatch greater Poland away from Russia, and he has a very high probability to come out victorious.

This was a good and rational strategic objective.

Going to Moscow or to St Petersburg just is not a strategic objective by itself. There can be no strategic victory in such a long journey since the military capacities of Russia did not depend on those 2 cities.
 
June 6,1812. The Grand Army began its drive into Russia. Napoleon had clearly altered the plan from what had once been a single campaign to a 2 year one. His goal was clear to destroy the Russian Army and ensure the capture of Russian Cities that could be used as depots by the French.
Napoleon issues a Proclamation changing the Grand Duchy of Warsaw into the Kingdom of Poland.. This had brought Poles flocking to the French.
Napoleon was well aware that he could never have too many soldiers. He did not trust the Prussians but as long as he was victorious he was sure that they would not try anything.
He made clear to Marshal MacDonald to press northward. The drive to St Petersburg might not result in a crushing victory for France but it would result in Sweden entering the War on France's side. Sweden was eager to get Finland back ( it would also turn Sweden away from thinking of taking Norway from France's other ally Denmark.
Indeed if he could defeat Czar Alexander he just might be finally able to reach a deal with Great Britain. It might mean bending but it would be worth it. But that was in the future now the demands of the campaign were what concerned him. Marshal MacDonald had his orders as did Davout.
 
Another point; the forces Napoleon massed at the start of the campaign were not only roughly half their paper strength, but also contained significant proportions of green recruits who mostly died off between the Niemen and Smolensk. If Napoleon keeps these boys in reserve, rather than sending them off with the rest of the army, then not only do they not die, there is much less strain on the logistical structure early on, meaning that more experienced troops survive that first section, along with (more importantly) more horses.
 
Even as the Grand Army moved forward Napoleon keep his reserves behind to continue to train. The Poles had not let him down either. With the changing from the Grand Duchy of Warsaw to the Kingdom of Poland there had been thousands of Poles flocking to the colors. These soldiers would take time to arm train and equip. The key to victory would be to inflict the heaviest loses on his opponent while suffering the least possible loses.
Already the Grand Army had caught the Russians by surprise. The Russians had thought that they had nearly another 3 weeks so even though they expected an invasion the timing of it surprised them.The first Major target was Minsk. Napoleon wanted the army to get there before the Russians could destroy or heavily damage the city.
 
Davouts Corp had moved quickly. His goal was to quickly take Minsk before the Russians could do too much damage to it. Napoleons most capable Marshal knew how to get the job done.
In the North Macdonald and the Prussians were pushing North. The Prussians were using any excuse that they could to delay there movements. It was clear that the Prussians would be of little help
unless Napoleon scored a major victory.
The Empore was leaving a sizable amount of troops behind. These troops needed more training and additional equipment. The Empeor made it clear that the Russian Army needed to be destroyed but it was critical that loses in the Grand Army be kept down. Fortifications were being completed in Poland.

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The French/ Polish Cavalry engaged a Division of Russian Infantry in an attempt to prevent it from reaching Minsk and damaging the city.
The destruction of the Russian Army was a priority but at the same time the Emperor made it clear that his soldiers were not to be thrown away needlessly.
And so the pressure was kept on the Russians.

French_dragoons_Polish_uhlans_Russian_infantry_1812.jpeg
 
Marshal Davout's forces had captured the city of Minsk. There had been some damage to the city but not too much. And so the Marshal made sure that French troops patrolled the streets to prevent any attempt to destroy the city . The Emperor arrived and inspected the city issuing orders for repairs and the setting up of supply depots. Marshal Davout had left after speaking with the Emperor. The Advance guard of His corp already pressing on the withdrawing Russians.

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Grey Wolf

Gone Fishin'
Donor
As a note, might a way to sort Spain be to support regionalist movements which would garner their own support - eg the Basques, the Catalans, the Aragonese etc? By breaking up Spain, like he broke up much the rest of Europe as he wanted, he would devalue the IDEA of Spain and Britain might end up only able to influence Leon, or Galicia

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
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