Battle of Bussaco
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.
| Battle of Bussaco | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Peninsular War | |||||||
British and Portuguese infantry deployed in line on the ridge at Bussaco | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
|
United Kingdom Portugal | France | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Viscount Wellington Luís do Rego Barreto |
André Masséna Michel Ney Jean Reynier | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 32,000–35,765 | 45,774–58,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1,300–1,356 dead or wounded | 2,456–4,500 dead or wounded | ||||||
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.