Battle of Salamanca
The Battle of Salamanca on 22 July 1812 was one of Wellington's greatest tactical achievements and the battle that demonstrated he could defeat a French army in open manoeuvre — not just in defensive positions. After taking Ciudad Rodrigo (January 1812) and Badajoz (April 1812), Wellington's Allied army of roughly 48,000 (British, Portuguese, and Spanish) was manoeuvring against Marshal Marmont's Army of Portugal near Salamanca. For several days the two armies marched and countermarched in intense heat, each seeking positional advantage. On 22 July Marmont noticed that Wellington's forces appeared to be retreating southward and began extending his left flank westward to cut off the Allied retreat — in doing so, he dangerously extended his line and opened a gap between his divisions. Wellington, watching from a position on a low ridge, saw the gap forming. He lowered his telescope, ate a chicken leg, and turned to his staff: 'By God, that will do.' He ordered an immediate attack. The 3rd Division under Pakenham struck Marmont's exposed leading division before it could close up; simultaneously Wellington's remaining divisions attacked across the front. The battle lasted approximately forty minutes in its decisive phase. Marmont himself was severely wounded early in the engagement; his successor Bonnet was also wounded within minutes. French casualties were approximately 14,000 killed, wounded, and captured — including 7,000 prisoners and two eagles (regimental standards). Allied losses were approximately 5,200. Wellington then advanced on Madrid, which fell on 12 August 1812 — the first time a French capital city had been recaptured from Napoleon's forces. Joseph Bonaparte fled; Napoleon himself was forced to divert forces from Germany to Spain, fatally weakening his strategic position after the Russian campaign.
- Year: 1812 CE
- Category: Military
