Battle of Sobral

Battle of Sobral
Part of the Peninsular War

View of gun emplacements at the Fort of Olheiros, Torres Vedras
Date13–14 October 1810
Location39°01′N 9°09′W / 39.017°N 9.150°W / 39.017; -9.150
Result Anglo-Portuguese victory
Belligerents
First French Empire French Empire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland United Kingdom
Portugal Portugal
Commanders and leaders
First French Empire Jean-Andoche Junot United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Brent Spencer
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Lowry Cole
Units involved
First French Empire VIII Corps United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1st Division
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 4th Division
Strength
16,939 1st Division:
7,053
4th Division:
7,400
Total:
14,453
Casualties and losses
13 October:
157
14 October:
120
13 October:
139
14 October:
67

The Battle of Sobral (13–14 October 1810) saw an Imperial French army led by Masséna probe the Lines of Torres Vedras, built and defended successfully by Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese Army. Masséna had to order a retreat at the beginning of March 1811 having lost 21,000 men from hunger and disease induced by the scorched earth policy of Wellington.