Battle of Bussaco

Battle of Bussaco
Part of Peninsular War

Plan of the battle of Bussaco
Date27 September 1810[1]
Location40°20′N 8°20′W / 40.333°N 8.333°W / 40.333; -8.333
Result Anglo-Portuguese victory[1]
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
Kingdom of Portugal Portugal
 France
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Viscount Wellington
Kingdom of Portugal Luís do Rego
First French Empire André Masséna
First French Empire Michel Ney
First French Empire Jean Reynier
Strength
32,000[1]–35,765[2] 45,774[2]–58,000[1]
Casualties and losses
1,300[3][1]–1,356[2] dead or wounded 2,456[2]–4,500[3][1] dead or wounded

The Battle of Buçaco (pronounced [buˈsaku]) or Bussaco, fought on 27 September 1810 during the Peninsular War in the Portuguese mountain range of Serra do Buçaco, resulted in the defeat of French forces by Lord Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese Army.[4][5]

Having occupied the heights of Bussaco (a 10-mile (16 km) long ridge located at 40°20'40"N, 8°20'15"W) with 25,000 British and the same number of Portuguese, Wellington was attacked five times successively by 65,000 French under Marshal André Masséna. Masséna was uncertain as to the disposition and strength of the opposing forces because Wellington deployed them on the reverse slope of the ridge, where they could neither be easily seen nor easily softened up with artillery. The actual assaults were delivered by the corps of Marshal Michel Ney and General of Division (Major General) Jean Reynier, but after much fierce fighting they failed to dislodge the allied forces and were driven off after having lost 4,500 men against 1,250 Anglo-Portuguese casualties. However, Wellington was ultimately forced to withdraw to the Lines of Torres Vedras after his positions were outflanked by Masséna's troops.

  1. ^ a b c d e f Bodart 1908, p. 420.
  2. ^ a b c d Clodfelter 2008, p. 165.
  3. ^ a b Glover 1971, p. 139.
  4. ^ Ellingham, Fisher & Kenyon 2002, p. 63.
  5. ^ Wheeler & Opello 2010, p. 63.