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Battle of Somosierra
Submitted by Wagg on Sun, 18/04/2010 - 15:13.
Wednesday, 30 November 1808
The battle of Somosierra was fought in a pass on the road to Madrid on the 30th of November 1808 it was a French victory over the Spanish with a tragic waste of life.
Napoleon ordered an infantry attack but due to a delay then ordered the squadrons of Polish Light Horse that were his duty escort to "Charge the guns". 88 horsemen charged along the road clearing a path. They were faced by 9,000 enemy troops and 16 guns. Infantry under General Ruffin and cavalry under General Montbrun were then committed to support the Polish attack. The French assult was poorly co-ordinated and the victory once gained had cost the lives of 60 of the Polish Light Horse.