The Battle of Ocaña, fought on November 19, 1809, was one of the most decisive and devastating battles of the Peninsular War. In this episode, special guest & author Josh Provan will examine how King Joseph Bonaparte and Marshal Soult led French forces to a crushing victory over General Juan Carlos de Aréizaga's Spanish army.

Despite holding a numerical advantage, the Spanish army suffered a catastrophic defeat as superior French cavalry, artillery, and battlefield coordination shattered their lines. The loss destroyed Spain's largest field army and opened the road to the French conquest of Andalusia, dramatically altering the course of the war.

X/Twitter: @LandOfHistory, @andnapoleon

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Your membership directly helps us produce more episodes, bring historians and authors onto the shows, and continue telling the stories of history’s great commanders. ⁠patreon.com/generalsandnapoleon⁠#ocana #battles #napoleonicwars #vodcast