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BATTLE // July 4, 1806

Battle of Maida

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Significance

The Battle of Maida was a British expeditionary victory in Calabria over a French force under Jean Reynier. Stuart's force of roughly 5,236 troops inflicted over 2,000 French casualties while sustaining fewer than 330 of their own, a disparity that demonstrated the tactical superiority of the British formation on the day. Although the engagement took place in the broader context of the War of the Third Coalition, it represented one of the few instances in that period where British land forces met French troops in open battle and prevailed decisively on the continent. The lopsided casualty ratio gave the engagement an outsized place in British military memory relative to its immediate strategic consequences.

Tactics

Stuart employed a double-line formation against Reynier's triple line. Two ranks in linear formation allowed the British to extend a longer front than the French and concentrate heavier musket volleys against Reynier's deeper but narrower columns. The arrangement proved effective in the open terrain outside Maida, enabling the British line to outreach and outfire the French formation and inflict disproportionate losses before the French could close to decisive range.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United Kingdom5,000–5,236
    medium
  • France5,050–6,440
    medium

France fielded a 1.1 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Empire français2,082
    medium
  • Royaume-Uni de Grande-Bretagne et d'Irlande327
    medium
Order of battle →Casualties in detail →

Commanders (2)

France

United Kingdom

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6 sibling battles · 3 factions

Last verified June 2026
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