Division of the North
Encyclopedia
The Division of the North was a 19th century Spanish
division
.
The division was composed of 15,000 men, and commanded by Pedro Caro y Sureda. Spain
being an ally of France
, the unit spent 1807 and 1808 performing garrison duties in Hamburg
under Marshal Bernadotte. In March 1808, along with a Franco-Belgian unit of approximately the same size, it was sent to Denmark
with the goal of protecting the country, another ally of Napoleon. It was also hoped that it be used in a planned invasion of Sweden
.
While in Denmark, the Peninsular War
broke out (May 2, 1808). Once he learnt about the new alliances, Caro y Sureda made plans with the British to repatriate his men to Spain. At least 9,000 men of the 15,000-strong division were immediately able to board British ships
on August 27 and escape to Spain. Their defection reduced Bernadotte's "Hanseatic Army" to a string of glorified coastal garrisons, severely sapping Napoleon's left (north) wing in the contest with Austria
for mastery over Central Europe in 1809.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
.
The division was composed of 15,000 men, and commanded by Pedro Caro y Sureda. Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
being an ally of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the unit spent 1807 and 1808 performing garrison duties in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
under Marshal Bernadotte. In March 1808, along with a Franco-Belgian unit of approximately the same size, it was sent to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
with the goal of protecting the country, another ally of Napoleon. It was also hoped that it be used in a planned invasion of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
.
While in Denmark, the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
broke out (May 2, 1808). Once he learnt about the new alliances, Caro y Sureda made plans with the British to repatriate his men to Spain. At least 9,000 men of the 15,000-strong division were immediately able to board British ships
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
on August 27 and escape to Spain. Their defection reduced Bernadotte's "Hanseatic Army" to a string of glorified coastal garrisons, severely sapping Napoleon's left (north) wing in the contest with Austria
War of the Fifth Coalition
The War of the Fifth Coalition, fought in the year 1809, pitted a coalition of the Austrian Empire and the United Kingdom against Napoleon's French Empire and Bavaria. Major engagements between France and Austria, the main participants, unfolded over much of Central Europe from April to July, with...
for mastery over Central Europe in 1809.