⛵ Colonial & Napoleonic Erahard
Battle of Vitoria
1813 CE · Spain (Basque Country)
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1813 CE
- Location
- Spain (Basque Country)
- Era
- ⛵ Colonial & Napoleonic Era
- Difficulty
- hard
The Duke of Wellington launched a coordinated four-column attack that shattered King Joseph Bonaparte's French army defending the vital crossroads of Vitoria. The French were routed so completely that they abandoned an enormous baggage train laden with plundered Spanish treasure, art, and the French war chest. Wellington's troops broke ranks to loot the spoils, prompting the duke's famous complaint about his army. The victory effectively ended French rule in Spain and forced Napoleon to fight on French soil.
💡 Did you know?
Wellington's soldiers at Vitoria were so busy looting the captured French baggage train (which contained millions in gold and art) that they let the French army escape, infuriating the duke.