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Title
Bessières’ Hollow Victory
Description
Battle of Medina de Rioseco
Subject
Source
Publisher
Date
1808-07-14
Scenario#
A414
Location
Medina de Rioseco, Spain
Battle Name
Battle Narrative
The Battle of Medina de Rioseco, also known as the Battle of Moclín, was fought during the Peninsular War on 14 July 1808 when a combined body of Spanish militia and regulars moved to rupture the French line of communications to Madrid. General Joaquín Blake's Army of Galicia, under joint command with General Gregorio de la Cuesta, was routed by Marshal Bessières after a badly coordinated but stubborn fight against the French corps north of Valladolid. Bessières exploited the poor coordination between Blake and Cuesta to defeat the Spaniards in detail, with Blake being ejected from a low ridge while Cuesta sat to the rear, and Cuesta failing to recapture the ridge with his own troops. The Army of Galicia was the only formation capable of threatening the French advance into Old Castile—Cuesta's command having been destroyed earlier at Cabezón—and its destruction marked a serious blow to Spain's national uprising.
Narrative Source
Wikipedia: Battle of Medina de Rioseco
External Link
Combatants
French
Spanish
Additional Information
Peninsular War
Collection: