Second Battle of Porto

Wellesley led a bold surprise attack on Porto, crossing the Douro with a light force before Soult could react. Caught off guard, the French marshal attempted to rally his troops, but the bridge was cut and Anglo-Portuguese forces advanced rapidly into the city. Retreat became inevitable.

Soult had taken Porto in March 1809 during his offensive in Portugal. However, communications were cut by Portuguese guerrillas and the British threat intensified. Wellington, recently landed, seized the opportunity to attack while French forces were dispersed.

Wellington feigned a frontal attack to distract the French while a detachment crossed the Douro at dawn in fishing boats. A bridgehead was established and consolidated before French troops could react. British artillery fire prevented any French defensive regrouping.

Soult was forced into a precipitate retreat through the mountains toward Spain, abandoning his artillery and many wounded. This defeat ruined the French attempt to control northern Portugal. Wellington became a hero in Portugal and gained prestige in Great Britain.