The Battle of La Albuera

On May 16th, 1811, one of the bloodest battles of Spanish Independence War took place in La Albuera. Stout's napoleonic army fought against the anglo-hispanic-portuguese allied army commanded by Beresford.

The napoleonic army has invaded Spain due to the incompetent Spanish governors. The Spanish people rose up against French troops occupation and this rebellion is crushed on May 2nd, 1808 by Commander Murat's French army. After these events the brother of Napoleon, José Bonaparte, is procclaimed King of Spain.

Gradually the Spanish troops rearrange its armies and supported by Portugal and England they formed a united front against napoleonic troops.

On May, 1811 some french troops are besieged in Badajoz, they are waiting for Marshal Stout's reinforcements that come from Seville.

The allied troops (English, Portuguese and Spanish soldiers), composed of 30.000 infantry men, 3600 men on horse and comanded by General Beresford go from Badajoz to La Albuera to wait for Soult's French troops, compunded by 20.000 infantry men and a 4.500 units cavalry.

On May 16th, at 8 o'clock in the morning, Marshall Soult send small unit against the centre and left side of the allied army, while the rest of French troops take a detour in order to caught the enemy's right side off guard.

The allies realized the manoeuvre at the end and rearranged succesfully the counterattack due to the troops' experience and composure.

The smoke from the first infantry volleys as well as the bad weather conditions favoured the French hussars and Polish lancers' strike against the allied lines.. but finally they were defeated.

The allied troops were placed in a advantageous situation and repel the brave French infantry. They, finally, have to retreat due to the numerous casualties.

Soult ordered his troops to retreat and his fierce cavalry prevented the allies from pursuing them and they took advantage in the battle.

6.000 allied soldiers and 4.000 French people died in the Battle of La Albuera. There were no winners in this battle.

Soult waited for Marshall Marmont's reinforcements that came from Salamanca, while he was in LLerena (south-east of Extremadura). The two Marshalls reached Badajoz by the end of June with 60.000 men, the allied army did not opposed to the strike and gave up the idea of taking Badajoz.

Every year, about the middle of May La Albuera recreates this historic battle in an impressive and wonderfull representation.

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