Battle of Casal Novo

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Battle of Casal Novo
Part of Peninsular War
Map with positions and movements
Date 14 March 1811 Location Casal Novo, southeast of Coimbra, Portugal 40°12′N 8°25′W / 40.200°N 8.417°W / 40.200; -8.417 Result See aftermath
Belligerents
France	United Kingdom  Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Michel Ney Jean Gabriel Marchand	Sir William Erskine
Strength
4,600	7,000
Casualties and losses
55 casualties	155 casualties

Peninsular war

200km
125miles

V

e

d

r

a

s

T

o

r

r

e

s

Fuentes de Oñoro

8

Sabugal

7

6

Lisbon

5

Bussaco

4

Almeida

3

Ciudad Rodrigo

2

Astorga

1

  

Third French invasion:

1

Siege of Astorga March April 1810

2

Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo April 1810

3

Siege of Almeida July 1810
3.1 Blockade of Almeida April 1811

4

Battle of Bussaco September 1810

5

Torres Vedras protects Lisbon

6

Battle of Redinha March 1811

7

Battle of Sabugal April 1811

8

Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro May 1811

The Battle of Casal Novo was a rear-guard action fought on March 14, 1811, during Massena's retreat from Portugal. During this retreat a French division, under command of Michel Ney, conducted a series of sharp rear-guard actions. At Casal Novo, the recklessness of Sir William Erskine resulted in costly losses in the Light Division.