Bussaco 1810: Wellington defeats Napoleon’s Marshals

By 1810, Napoleon reigned supreme over most of continental Europe. But the Iberian Peninsula remained unsubdued, particularly Portugal, which continued to resist. Napoleon ordered Marshal Massena to crush this resistance with the Army of Portugal. Greatly strengthened, Massena’s army would drive the Portuguese and British into the sea. Facing the French were 60,000 British and Portuguese troops. No-one knew how the Portuguese would perform in battle, but on 27 September 1810, they received their baptism of fire. This title details the gruelling Bussaco campaign as French attempts to subdue Portugal reached their climax.