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BATTLE // March 12, 1811

Battle of Redinha

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Source · Wikipedia

Significance

The Battle of Redinha was a rearguard action fought during Masséna's retreat from Portugal, a critical phase of the Peninsular War in which French forces were withdrawing under sustained Allied pressure. With roughly 6,000 troops, Marshal Ney's force engaged Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army of approximately 30,000, holding the Allies for a full day before withdrawing. The engagement succeeded in its operational purpose: buying time for the main French body to continue its retreat in better order. Though the Allied force suffered around 1,000 casualties, the disparity in numbers made the French position untenable beyond a single day's delay. Redinha illustrates the pattern of Masséna's retreat — French rearguard commanders using disciplined resistance to manage the pace of withdrawal against a numerically superior pursuing force, preventing the kind of collapse that could have turned an orderly retreat into a rout.

Tactics

Ney deployed one or two — roughly 6,000 men — to contest the advance of a 30,000-strong Allied force. The action was a classic rearguard engagement, with the French accepting battle at a disadvantage in numbers to slow the Allied pursuit and allow the main French army to extend its withdrawal. Ney's force held its position for a day before disengaging.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • French Empire5,000–6,000
    medium
  • United Kingdom25,000–30,000
    medium

United Kingdom fielded a 5.0 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • United Kingdom1,000
    medium4% loss rate
Order of battle →Casualties in detail →

Commanders (2)

French Empire

United Kingdom

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Last verified June 2026
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