Battle of Valmaseda

Battle of Valmaseda
Part of the Peninsular War
Date5 November 1808
Location
Valmaseda, near Bilbao, Spain
43°11′N 3°11′W / 43.183°N 3.183°W / 43.183; -3.183
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
First French Empire French Empire Spain Spain
Commanders and leaders
First French Empire Eugene-Casimir Villatte Spain Joaquín Blake
Strength
13,000 24,000
Casualties and losses
300 killed or wounded
300 captured
baggage train captured		 50 killed or wounded
Peninsular war
Map
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125miles
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The Battle of Valmaseda (or Balmaseda) took place on 5 November 1808, during Lieutenant-General Blake's retreat from superior French armies in northern Spain. Reinforced by veteran regular infantry from General La Romana's Division of the North (Spanish: Division del Norte), Blake's force suddenly turned on its pursuers and ambushed Marshal Victor's errant vanguard under Général de division Villatte.