Battle of Fuentes de Onoro
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| Peninsular War, 1810–1814 |
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| Fuengirola – Barrosa – Fuentes de Onoro – Albuera – Badajoz – Salamanca – Vitoria – Maya – Roncesvalles – Sorauren – Nivelle – Nive – Orthez – Toulouse |
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In the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro (May 3 - 5, 1811) the British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley checked an attempt by French troops under Marshall André Masséna to relieve the besieged city of Almeida.
[edit] Background
Massena had followed the British back to Lisbon the previous year, until arriving before the Lines of Torres Vedras. He determinied against storming this extensive double line of interlocking fortifications. After starving outside Lisbon through a miserable winter, the French withdrew to the Spanish border with the British following them.
Having secured Portugal, Wellington set about re-taking the fortified frontier cities of Almeida, Badajoz and Ciudad Rodrigo. Whilst Wellington besieged Almeida, Massena had reformed his battered army and marched to relieve the French garrison in the city. Wellington chose to check the relief attempt at the small village of Fuentes De Onoro. Wellington left his line of retreat exposed to cover all routes to Almeida: he felt this risk was justified because the French would not have more than a few days supplies whereas he had more than that. The British, Portuguese and Spanish army had 35,000 infantry, 1,500 cavalry, and 48 guns. The French had 43,000 infantry, 4,500 cavalry and 46 guns.
[edit] Battle
On the 3rd of May, Massena launched a frontal assault against the British regiments holding the barricaded village, while subjecting the British on the heights east of the village to a heavy artillery bombardment. The village was the centre of the fighting for the whole day, with French Grenadiers and elite Guardsmen clashing with the British redcoats and the Riflemen of Craufurd's Light Division. Though the French drove the British back under immense pressure, a charge by men of the 51st Light Infantry reclaimed the streets and buildings lost earlier in the day. As the sun sank, the French withdrew and the village remained in British hands, though at a terrible price in manpower.
The 4th saw little combat. Both sides recovered from the ferocity of the previous day of fighting and reconsidered their options and battle plans.
Action began again at dawn on the 5th of May. Wellington had, by oversight or error, left an infantry division exposed on his right flank. Massena launched an attack on the British right flank, led by General Junot's Corps and supported by most of Massena's Chasseurs and lancers. This compelled Wellington to send reinforcements to save the division from annihilation, which was only narrowly achieved by the efforts of the Light Division and cavalry of the King's German Legion. Massena, however, still aimed primarily at securing the actual village, sending forward massed columns of infantry. The village, filled with low stone walls, provided excellent cover for the British line infantry and skirmishers and the French cavalry were severely restricted in the little streets, unable to charge down on the British soldiers. Facing endless musket volleys and unable to press home their impetus, the cavalry and infantry became jammed and were shot down in their hundreds. Worse still, the French began to run out of ammunition and began to resort to the bayonet in a futile attempt to drive the British back. Facing murderous volleys, the French halted and turned, being shot at as they withdrew, leaving thousands of casualties behind.
Meanwhile, equally devastating volleys from the redcoats on the right, helped along with attacks by British and Portuguese Hussars had Junot's columns reeling and they also suffered appalling casualties. By sunset, French morale had plummeted and many companies were down to 40% strength.
After spending the next three days parading before the British position, Massena withdrew back to Spain.
[edit] Consequences
Wellington had repelled the Army of Portugal, inflicted 4,500 casualties for the loss of just 1,500, and was able to continue his siege of Almeida. Wellington however acknowledged how dangerous the situation had been, saying later, "If Boney had been there, I would have lost." He did not list the battle among his victories.
On reaching Ciudad Rodrigo, Massena was recalled to Paris by a furious Napoleon to explain his actions (although Napoleon had issued the order to return prior to the battle). He was replaced by Marshal Auguste Marmont. Massena set off for France with a vast sum off gold, stolen from Portugal and Spain.
Two nights after Massena's withdrawal, most of the French garrison of Almeida slipped through the British lines during the night. They eventually reached French lines. Wellington was furious at two negligent British commanders.
