3) Talavera
Wellesley returned to the Iberian Peninsula in April 1809 and - once the Anglo-Portuguese had driven the French from Portugal - he crossed into Spain. Joining forces with the Spanish general Cuesta, Wellesley hatched a plan to force the French army back along the River Tagus.
However, the allied force lost a sterling opportunity to defeat 46,000 French troops on 23rd July when Cuesta insisted that his army would not fight. Cuesta's army were then thrown into retreat by a greatly reinforced French army, and Wellesley came to their aid and lodged them at Talavera.
It was here, on a hillside just west of Madrid, that Wellesley was to fight one of the biggest and bloodiest battles of the Peninsular War.
Peter examines some artefacts from the battle.
Click on map to enlarge view
