Battle of Ocaña

November 19, 1809

The Spanish Junta was determined to throw the French out of Spain, with or without the British help. Even though the British had won the Battle of Talavera , they were forced to fall back into Portugal when outmaneuvered. The Spanish Junta appointed General Areizaga to command an army and retake Madrid. As soon as French Marshal Soult realized that the Spanish were approaching, he quickly consolidated his forces and forced a battle. A large cavalry action took place and the French broke the Spanish ranks at Ocaña. French control of Spain was not threatened again for some time and there was little to stand in their way into southern Spain.

Bibliography

Chandler, David G. Dictionary of the Napoleonic Wars. New York: Macmillan Publishing, 1979.
Smith, Digby. The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill Books: 1998.

Updated March 2017