Battle of Maya
Maya Pass, Navarre, Spain
What happened
Marshal Soult launched an offensive through the Pyrenees to relieve the French garrisons besieged at Pamplona and San Sebastián. At the narrow Maya Pass, the French surprised the British and pushed them back through the afternoon. Reinforcements steadied the British line, but the French held the pass, and the British withdrew at midnight.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The infobox lists a French victory at Maya. But the wider Battle of the Pyrenees ended in a significant Anglo-Allied victory.
What came next
Soult gave up his offensive on 30 July and returned to France without relieving either garrison. Wellington pressed on with the siege of San Sebastián.
Did you know?
A mountain path used by the French was later improved by the British and became known as the Chemin des Anglais.
Timeline
- 25 July 1813Battle of Maya.
- 30 July 1813Soult abandons his offensive.
- 2 August 1813Soult reaches the French frontier.