FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE



JULY 1809 FRENCH TURN

Soult declines the opportunity to crack a very tough British nut at Oporoto. Instead, he heads south where he combines with Spanish forces commanded by Pallofox to rout Hill as the former tries to withdraw from Spain. Lannes enters Madrid to secure the French supply lines.

With the troops depots empty and the political situation secure, Napoleon leaves Paris to join his armies in Spain.

Date Name Attacker Defender Description Victor Casualties
July 1809 Orinoco
Soult
90,000

Pallafox
35,000
Hill
30,000 		Coming from the north, Soult's 90,000 Frenchmen combine with Pallafox's 35,000 Spaniards marching from the south to catch up with Hill's 30,000 men retreating down the Tagus River on the Portuguese border. The French cavalry is able to overtake the heavily laden British columns confined in the narrow river valley. With virtually no cavalry of his own, Hill cannot drive then off. Only with great perseverance and discipline can any of his men escape. The French pursue Hill into Portugal but the Spanish militia refuse to cross the border.
France

Spain 		5,000 French
20,000 English




JULY 1809 ALLIED TURN

Russian armies surge out of the Pripet Marshes. Kutusov falls upon Murat in Warsaw, takes the city and captures the Imperial brother-in-law. Poland once again vanishes from the map of Europe.

With one eye on La Romana and the other on Soult, Wellington creeps down the Portuguese coast from Oporoto in the direction of Lisbon.

Date Name Attacker Defender Description Victor Casualties
July 1809 Warsaw
Kutusov
60,000
Murat
15,000 		Kutusov attacks the capital of Poland with 60,000 men catching Murat and his 15,000 defenders in a state of uneasiness. Murat retreats behind the city walls but the fortifications have not been maintained. The French manage to beat back the first attacks but when a huge mine demolishes a large section of wall, the Russian assault is irresistible. The city falls and is thoroughly sacked. Murat is captured trying to escape but has a grand time with his Cossack captors before having an audience with Kutusov.
Russia 		10,000 Russian
15,000 French