ORDER OF BATTLE // August 21, 1808
Battle of Vimeiro
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 30,000–34,500 estimated
French Empire
13,000–14,000
Medium-confidence figure
United Kingdom
17,000–20,500
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Vimeiro ended the first French invasion of Portugal. Wellesley's British force, numbering up to 20,500, inflicted over 1,600 casualties on Junot's army of 13,000–14,000 and drove it from the field near Lisbon. The defeat compelled France to abandon its initial occupation of Portugal, marking the first significant British land victory of the Peninsular War and establishing a foothold from which operations against French forces on the Iberian Peninsula would continue.
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