Battle of Arlabán (1811) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Arlabán (1811)
Part of the Peninsular War
Date 25 May 1811 Location Mountain pass between Álava and Guipúzcoa, Spain 42°58′38″N 2°34′17″W / 42.97722°N 2.57139°W / 42.97722; -2.57139 Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
French Empire	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Colonel Laffitte (POW)	Francisco Espoz y Mina
Strength
1,600	3,000–4,500
Casualties and losses
700–1,000 killed or wounded 200 captured	Unknown

The Battle of Arlabán, also known as the First Surprise of Arlabán, was an important fight that happened on May 25, 1811. It was part of the Peninsular War, a big conflict where Spain, Portugal, and Great Britain fought against Napoleon's French Empire. This battle took place in a mountain pass called Arlabán, which is located between two regions in Spain: Guipúzcoa and Álava. The Spanish forces, led by a brave guerrilla leader named Francisco Espoz y Mina, won this battle against the French.

The Battle Begins

On the morning of May 25, 1811, a large group of Spanish fighters, called guerrillas, prepared for a surprise attack. There were between 3,000 and 4,500 of them, all led by Francisco Espoz y Mina. They knew the mountains very well.

They set up their positions on both sides of the Arlabán pass. This was a key route for the French, about 20 kilometers north of Vitoria. The Spanish guerrillas were ready by four o'clock in the morning.

The French Convoy

The French had a long convoy of 150 wagons. These wagons were carrying valuable supplies and weapons. They were also transporting 1,050 prisoners. The convoy was protected by 1,600 French soldiers, led by Colonel Laffitte.

The convoy was spread out over 5 kilometers, making it a long target. The Spanish guerrillas waited for the perfect moment to strike.

The Surprise Attack

At eight o'clock in the morning, the Spanish guerrillas launched their ambush. They attacked the middle part of the French convoy. The fight lasted for seven hours.

The French soldiers fought hard, but the Spanish guerrillas had the advantage of knowing the terrain. They also had the element of surprise.

Spanish Victory

After hours of fighting, the French finally gave up. The Spanish forces won the battle. They captured many supplies and weapons. The value of these captured goods was very high, about 4 million reales.

Most importantly, the Spanish released 1,042 prisoners. These prisoners included British, Portuguese, and Spanish soldiers. The convoy became known as the "convoy de los Ingleses" because many of the prisoners were British.

What Happened Next

This battle was the last big action that Francisco Espoz y Mina led as a guerrilla leader in the region of Navarre. His fighting group, known as the División de Navarra, became part of the regular Spanish Army on June 5.

Even though his group joined the main army, Espoz y Mina continued to lead his troops in battles against the French. He even led them in another surprise attack at Arlabán, known as the Second Surprise of Arlabán, which happened on April 9, 1812.

See also

In Spanish: Sorpresa de Arlabán (1811) para niños