Battle of Albuera
La Albuera, Badajoz Province, Extremadura, Spain
What happened
British, Portuguese and Spanish forces under William Beresford and Joaquín Blake fought a French army under Marshal Soult. During the Peninsular War, Soult marched to relieve the French-held fortress of Badajoz. He tried to go around the allies' side, and under cover of a sudden hailstorm, French cavalry, including Polish lancers, overran a British brigade. Spanish troops held firm, and a British counter-attack drove the French back, but both sides suffered terrible losses.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Neither side clearly won, and it was one of the bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War for its size. It showed that British and Spanish troops could fight together.
What came next
The French withdrew on 18 May, but the allies abandoned their siege of Badajoz in June. The 57th Regiment of Foot won the nickname 'Die Hards'.
Did you know?
The wounded Colonel Inglis kept calling 'Die hard, 57th, die hard!' to his men, and 16 May is still remembered as Middlesex Day.
Timeline
- 1811The allies besiege French-held Badajoz.
- 16 May 1811The Battle of Albuera is fought.
- 18 May 1811The French withdraw.
- June 1811The allies abandon the siege of Badajoz.