Battle of Girona (1808) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Girona (1808)
Part of Peninsular War
Independence Square in Girona commemorates the struggle against the French from 1808 to 1814.
Date 20 and 21 June 1808 Location Girona, Catalonia, Spain 41°58′N 2°49′E / 41.967°N 2.817°E / 41.967; 2.817 Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Guillaume Duhesme	Lt. Col. O'Donovan Lt. Col. O'Daly
Strength
5,900, 8 guns	2,000
Casualties and losses
700	light

The Battle of Girona took place on June 20 and 21, 1808. It was a fight between the French army, led by Guillaume Philibert Duhesme, and the Spanish defenders of Girona. The Spanish forces were commanded by Lieutenant Colonels O'Donovan and O'Daly. The French tried to take the city but failed and had to retreat.

Girona is a city in Catalonia, Spain. It is located about halfway between the border with France and the city of Barcelona. This battle was an important part of the Peninsular War, which was itself a part of the larger Napoleonic Wars.

In early 1808, Emperor Napoleon of France wanted to take control of Spain. He ordered his soldiers to capture important Spanish cities, including Barcelona. The French successfully took Barcelona. However, soon after, the Spanish people rose up against French rule. This made things very difficult for Duhesme and his French soldiers. They were surrounded by Spanish fighters and regular troops. Duhesme tried to capture Girona to open a safe path for supplies from France to Barcelona. But the French and Italian soldiers could not break through the city's defenses. The city's local fighters and two small groups of Irish soldiers (who were fighting for Spain) pushed them back. Duhesme went back to Barcelona, but he returned to Girona five weeks later for a second attempt.

Why Did This Battle Happen?

Napoleon's Plan for Spain

Months before the battle, Emperor Napoleon planned to take over Spain. He ordered his army to capture several key places in February 1808. One of these places was Barcelona. On February 29, French troops marched into Barcelona. They pretended to be having a military parade. But as they passed the main gate of the city's fort, they suddenly rushed in and took control. The Spanish soldiers inside were surprised and had to leave. The French also captured other important places like San Sebastián, Pamplona, and Figueras.

However, the Spanish people did not accept this. In May 1808, a big uprising happened in Madrid, the capital of Spain. This rebellion quickly spread across the country.

French Troubles in Catalonia

By the summer of 1808, a French army of about 12,710 soldiers, led by General Guillaume Duhesme, was based in Barcelona. Their job was to stop the rebellion in Catalonia, help another French general capture Valencia, and keep control of Barcelona. But the Spanish rebellion was much stronger than expected, and these orders were very hard to follow.

Duhesme tried to follow his orders. He sent some troops to help capture Valencia and others to take Lleida. But the French soldiers immediately faced problems. In early June, they ran into many Catalan miquelets (local fighters) who stopped them from crossing a mountain pass. The French tried again on June 15 but failed. After losing many soldiers, the French and their allies had to retreat. On their way back to Barcelona, they attacked and robbed every village they passed.

The Battle Begins

Duhesme became worried about being cut off from France. He decided to clear a path for supplies back to his home country. As he marched northeast towards Girona with his troops, he met a large group of miquelets near Mataró. There were about 10,000 Catalan fighters with a few cannons.

On June 17, Duhesme's 5,963 soldiers and eight cannons easily defeated the miquelets. The French soldiers celebrated their victory by robbing Mataró for a whole day. But as the French and Italian forces continued towards Girona, the miquelets returned and blocked all communication between Duhesme and Barcelona.

[[File:Général Guillaume Philibert Duhesme.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Guillaume Duhesme was the French general who tried to capture Girona.}}

Duhesme's army included about 2,100 Italian soldiers, 2,100 other soldiers, and 1,500 cavalry (soldiers on horseback).

Girona's Defenses

Girona is split into two parts by the Onyar River. The smaller part, called Mercadal, is on the west side. This part had five strong forts to protect it. The larger, older east side of the city had a line of forts along a ridge and a strong fort called Montjuich to the north. The entire city was surrounded by a 20-foot (6-meter) high wall from the Middle Ages.

The Fight for Girona

The French and Italian soldiers arrived at Girona on June 20. Duhesme demanded that the city surrender, but the defenders refused. So, Duhesme decided to attack.

Girona was defended by about 350 regular soldiers from the Ultonia Infantry Regiment. These soldiers were Irishmen fighting for Spain, led by Lieutenant Colonels O'Donovan and O'Daly. The city also had about 1,600 local fighters and a few artillery gunners, making a total of about 2,000 defenders. Some reports say there might have been as many as 2,000 city fighters.

Duhesme aimed his main attack at the Carmen gate on the east side, which was the weakest part of the defenses. Other troops attacked different forts and walls. The main attack began even while Duhesme's helper was still talking to the city's defenders. But Girona's cannons quickly silenced the French guns, and the attack failed.

The French commander tried again that night. He ordered his soldiers to attack the Santa Clara fort on the west side. The attack was a surprise, and some Italian soldiers managed to get on top of the walls. But in the dark, some of their ladders went missing. This meant they couldn't send more soldiers to help the ones who had made it onto the wall. The Ultonia Regiment launched a strong counterattack and pushed the Italians back.

In the morning, Duhesme ordered a third attack on one of the forts. But this attack also failed because the defenders were ready and fired heavily. In total, the French and Italians lost about 700 soldiers (killed, wounded, or missing). The Spanish defenders had only a few losses.

What Happened Next?

After the defeat, Duhesme retreated back to Barcelona. He left some soldiers behind to hold Mataró. Soon after, Duhesme attacked some miquelets along the Llobregat River and drove them away.

Napoleon realized Duhesme was having trouble. He sent a new group of soldiers, led by General Honoré Charles Reille, to help him. Reille's soldiers first helped the French fort at Figueras. Then, Reille tried to attack the port of Roses, but the defenders and a British warship pushed him back.

Hearing about these new soldiers, Duhesme got ready for another attempt to capture Girona. The next big fight was the Second siege of Girona.

See Also

In Spanish: Batalla de Gerona (1808) para niños

• Timeline of the Peninsular War
• Second siege of Gerona (1808)
• Third siege of Gerona (1809)