Ep 4. Spanish Ulcer

Napoleon: The Man Who Would Rule Europe season 1 episode 4, titled "Spanish Ulcer," delves into one of the most grueling campaigns of Napoleon's military career: the invasion of Spain. The episode follows the French emperor as he attempts to extend his power further into Europe by taking control of the Spanish peninsula, but instead finds himself facing a formidable enemy in the form of Spanish guerilla fighters.

As the episode begins, we see Napoleon's army making their way through the rugged terrain of Spain, facing harsh weather conditions and dwindling supplies. Despite these challenges, Napoleon remains determined to conquer Spain and adds to his list of military victories by capturing the city of Madrid. However, his success proves to be short-lived, as he soon realizes that the Spanish people are fiercely patriotic and not willing to submit to French rule.

The episode introduces us to the Spanish guerillas, who launched a relentless campaign of sabotage and harassment against the French army. The guerillas used tactics such as hit-and-run attacks and ambushes to pick off French soldiers one by one, making it difficult for Napoleon's army to hold on to any territory they gained. The Spanish people's fierce resistance to Napoleon's rule became known as the "Spanish Ulcer," and the episode shows the toll it took on the French soldiers who were forced to fight on unfamiliar terrain against an enemy that seemed to be everywhere at once.

As Napoleon struggled to maintain control over Spain, cracks began to appear in his empire back home. The episode shows how Napoleon's focus on conquest abroad had left him vulnerable to political opposition in France, which was growing increasingly unhappy with his authoritarian rule. As his army in Spain faced defeat after defeat, his opponents in France saw an opportunity to overthrow him, and we see various factions jockeying for power in the French government.

Despite these challenges, Napoleon remained determined to subdue the Spanish people and extend his empire further into Europe. The episode shows us the various military strategies he employed, such as consolidating his army in key cities and using spies to infiltrate the guerilla network. However, these efforts proved futile, and the Spanish Ulcer continued to plague Napoleon's army.

The episode ends with Napoleon forced to abandon his campaign in Spain and return home to deal with the growing political opposition in France. The Spanish Ulcer had proved to be a costly and devastating defeat for him, one that would ultimately contribute to his downfall. As the episode shows, it was a turning point in Napoleon's career and a testament to the strength of the Spanish people's resistance to foreign rule.

Overall, "Spanish Ulcer" is a gripping episode that highlights the complexities of Napoleon's military campaigns and the challenges he faced in trying to extend his empire further into Europe. It offers insight into the nature of guerilla warfare and the toll it takes on both sides, as well as the political machinations that can impact a nation's military strategy.