WELLINGTON 1813: The Vittoria Campaign

2-201710

Contains 35 pages of color plates by Bob Marrion plus color maps of the key engagements.

In May 1813 Wellington bade farewell to Portugal and the Allied army marched into Spain. Wellington's advance continuously outflanked the French Army of King Joseph and Marshal Jordan, causing them to fall back to the east. On 21 June 1813, the French made a stand at Vittoria. In a bold and imaginative attack Wellington launched the Allies at the French, turning both flanks of the enemy.

By evening Wellington had achieved a resounding victory and the French were in rout. The destruction of the French army was only prevented by a night of plundering as the Allies fell on the baggage of the French army bearing the loot of Spain. A month later Marshal Soult, who had replaced Joseph and Jordan, launched a counter attack with a reorganized French army. After driving the Allies back through the Pyrenees passes at Maya and Roncesvalles the French were defeated by Wellington at Sorauren and retreated back into France.

On 31 August San Sebastian was stormed and the French garrison finally surrendered on 8 September. Wellington was poised to invade France.