In the early stages of guerrilla warfare in Spain, guerrilla units focused most of their attacks on French communications. Rather, Spanish guerrillas attacked targets of opportunity with great effect. They also had the advantage of not having to engage French forces in open combat. Spanish guerrillas chose when and where to attack the French. Guerrilla tactics included operating in small, local bands. The employment of unconventional warfare by the people of the Iberian Peninsula allowed them to take and hold the initiative. Guerrilla Tactics Used Against Napoleon’s Army Others formed guerrilla units of their own. To make up for the lack of regular forces, many took command of guerrilla units.

Former officers of the defeated Spanish army no longer had their regular unites to command. Bandits throughout the peninsula seized opportunities to raid French supply lines in the hopes of gaining valuable war material and food supplies.

French occupation of cities resulted in urban populations of varying social status to provide aid and recruits for guerrilla fighters.įor others, unconventional warfare provided opportunity. The French brutality motivated many peasants throughout the countryside to join guerrilla units. Mountaineers, who held suspicion and hate of anyone from outside the mountain areas, made up some guerrilla unites. Guerrilla fighters varied in their composition and motivation. One observer remarked, “…the priest girded up his black robe, and stuck a pistol in his belt the student threw aside his books, and grasped the sword the shepherd forsook his flock the husbandman his home.” Such efforts resulted in guerrilla bands gaining fresh recruits and increased support from the population. In an effort to quell resistance, the French intensified their efforts at retaliation. Shortly after Napoleon’s invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, organized, regional guerrilla bands emerged. Peasants and Guerrilla Warfare During the Napoleonic Wars Guerrilla tactics employed by ordinary peasants resulted in French forces precariously controlling only the ground they physically occupied. In response to the demands of unconventional warfare, Napoleon’s initial invasion force of 50,000 swelled to 80,000 by 1808. Shortly after his successful invasion and defeat of conventional forces, guerrilla warfare ensued. Napoleon did not anticipate the will of the people to resist a foreign invader. If successful, Napoleon could exploit Spain’s resources and expand his Continental System, denying the British another important trading partner. Napoleon calculated that such a military operation would be be relatively easy due to perceived Spanish weakness and inept leadership. In July 1807, Napoleon invaded the Iberian Peninsula. During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon’s occupation of the Iberian Peninsula prompted one of the greatest outbreaks of unconventional warfare in military history.

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