BATTLE // January 1, 1809
Battle of Castellón
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Overview
The Battle of Castellón was an ambush against a French Imperial detachment under General Reille near Girona during the Peninsular War (1807–1814).
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Significance
The Battle of Castellón was fought near Girona on 1 January 1809 during the opening phase of the Peninsular War. A Spanish force under the Marqués de Lazán, numbering approximately 1,500, engaged a French Imperial detachment of around 3,000 under General Reille. Despite the disparity in force size, Spanish casualties of 120 were substantially lower than the French figure of 330, suggesting the action inflicted a disproportionate cost on the larger force. The engagement was part of the broader contest for control of Catalonia, where French operations around Girona were a central axis of effort in the early war years.
Tactics
The battle was fought as an ambush against the French Imperial detachment under General Reille near Girona. No further tactical detail regarding terrain use, formations, or maneuver is provided in the available sources.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- Empire français3,000medium
- Royaume d'Espagne1,500medium
Empire français fielded a 2.0 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- Empire français330medium11% loss rate
- Royaume d'Espagne120medium8% loss rate
Commanders (2)
French Empire
Honoré Charles ReilleMarshal of France
Spain
Marqués de Lazánteniente general
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6 sibling battles · 3 factions