Battle of Bussaco

The Battle of Buçaco (pronounced [buˈsaku]) or Bussaco was fought on 27 September 1810 during the Peninsular War in the Portuguese mountain range of Serra do Buçaco, resulting in the defeat of French forces by Lord Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese Army.

Having occupied the heights of Bussaco, a 10-mile (16 km) long ridge located at 40°20'40"N, 8°20'15"W, with a total of 26,843 British and 25,429 Portuguese, Wellington was attacked five times successively by invasion force of 65,050 French under Marshal André Masséna. Masséna was uncertain as to the disposition and strength of the opposing forces because Wellington had 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 made 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 up to 4,500 men against up to 1,356 Anglo-Portuguese casualties. Before this battle, Masséna made no attempt to bypass Wellington's position or conduct further reconnaissance, contrary to his officers' fears. However, Wellington was ultimately forced to withdraw to the Lines of Torres Vedras after his positions were outflanked by Masséna's troops.