Ocana

19 November, 1809

Spanish Battle Tour Guides

Following Talavera and the British withdrawal to Portugal, Spain's General Juan Carlos Areizaga concentrated an army of some 50,000 men to defend southern Spain.

Despite his sizeable force, Areizaga made the mistake of staying too long in one place and allowed France's Marshal Soult to concentrate his available forces - some 29,000 men - and make an attempt to bring the Spaniards to battle.

Realising his enemy's intentions, Areizaga quickly retreated but was caught at Ocana.

Soult's cavalry decided the battle and the centre of the Spanish army was decisively crushed.

Areizaga lost 4000 casualties and a further 15,000 men captured, while Soult's army suffered some 2000 killed and wounded.