Battle of Ocaña
Summary
Despite numerical inferiority, Soult and Sébastiani faced Aréizaga's Spanish army near Ocaña. Thanks to a powerful artillery attack, a cavalry maneuver on the right wing, and experienced infantry, the French inflicted total rout on the Spanish. The Army of La Mancha was destroyed.
Historical context
The Spanish army sought to retake Madrid. Aréizaga had advanced too far without logistical support. Napoleon, concerned by the threat, ordered rapid concentration of French troops under Soult. The battle became a strategic turning point in central Spain.
Tactics
Sébastiani fixed the Spanish center while cavalry of Milhaud and Paris drove the enemy right wing. French artillery concentrated fire on compact enemy formations, provoking panic and breakthrough. Encirclement led to total rout.
Consequences
The defeat disintegrated the Spanish Army of La Mancha and prevented any new attempt to reconquer Madrid. The Spanish government scaled back offensive ambitions, and initiative passed definitively to the Empire for winter 1809–1810.