The Eve of Bussaco 1810 - Peninsular War

The Peninsular War series meets our battle series as we deep dive the Battle of Bussaco in the first of a two-parter on Wellington and Massena's duel in the Portuguese mountains. Graeme Callister joins us to talk about the French plan of operations, why their reconnaissance was so poor, and why Massena was so desperate to attack Wellington on his mountaintop position.

Get Graeme's books: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Dr-Graeme-Callister/a/4546

https://www.helion.co.uk/people/graeme-callister.php

Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspod

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Battle of Basarco

01:47 Strategic context of the Peninsular War in 1810

03:50 French and Allied army conditions and morale

06:49 Terrain features and geographic challenges

11:12 French plans and reconnaissance errors

15:06 Wellington's defensive strategy and troop deployment

20:11 French misconceptions and attack plans

25:00 Terrain's impact on the battle's outcome

29:56 French troop conditions and leadership issues

34:59 The importance of terrain in 1810 warfare

39:54 French tactical errors and missed opportunities

45:07 The aftermath and significance of Basarco