Key Facts
- Dates
- 19–23 January 1811
- Spanish prisoners taken
- Over 4,000
- Duration of bombardment
- 4 days (19–22 January)
- French infantry available after siege
- ~5,500
- French cavalry strength
- ~4,000
Strategic Narrative Overview
Soult arrived before Olivenza on 11 January 1811 and detached cavalry to screen Mérida and Badajoz. When French heavy artillery arrived on 19 January, it quickly reopened a poorly repaired breach in the walls. After four days of bombardment, the breach was deemed sufficient for assault. The Spanish garrison, comprising four infantry battalions from the Army of Extremadura, found the fortress untenable and surrendered on 23 January 1811.
01 / The Origins
During the Peninsular War, French Marshal Soult advanced into Spanish Extremadura in early 1811 to relieve pressure on Masséna's army facing Wellington at the Lines of Torres Vedras. His route required neutralising the Spanish fortress at Olivenza before he could threaten the stronger position at Badajoz. Wellington had urged Spanish commanders to either demolish or fully repair Olivenza's defences, but conflicting orders left its garrison exposed in a structurally weak fortification.
03 / The Outcome
The fall of Olivenza yielded more than 4,000 Spanish prisoners, whom Soult was forced to escort back to Seville using two precious infantry battalions. This weakened his strike force to roughly 5,500 infantry. Nevertheless, Soult pressed on, and by 27 January 1811 he had commenced the first siege of Badajoz, hoping to draw Allied reinforcements away from the Lines of Torres Vedras.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Jean-de-Dieu Soult, André Briche.
Side B
1 belligerent
Pedro de La Romana, Mendizabal.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.