Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Vitoria 1813

Summary by Krater

This video details the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813, examining how Wellington outmaneuvered French forces under Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Jourdan, leading to a decisive allied victory and the collapse of French power in Spain.

From the video

Answers: How did the Battle of Vitoria unfold during the Peninsular War?

• Battle of Vitoria
• Peninsular War
• Wellington's offensive 1813
• French retreat in Spain

What it concludes

• Wellington's army was strengthened to 100,000 men with improved cavalry, artillery, and medical services by May 1813.
• Napoleon underestimated Wellington's threat and withdrew 20,000 French troops to Germany.
• Wellington outmaneuvered French forces by advancing north of the Douro River, turning their right flank and forcing repeated retreats.
• At the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813, allied forces successfully attacked the French army on multiple columns, cutting off their main retreat road.
• The French army suffered severe casualties and abandoned massive amounts of wealth, supplies, and artillery during their chaotic retreat from Vitoria.
• The defeat at Vitoria broke French military power in Spain, ending Joseph's kingdom and forcing French forces back across the Pyrenees.