Battle of Molins de Rey

Battle of Molins de Rey
Part of Peninsular War
Map of the Battle of Molins de Rey
Date 21 December 1808 Location Molins de Rei, Spain Result French victory
Belligerents
First French Empire	Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr	Conde de Caldagues Theodor von Reding
Strength
18,000, 48 guns	15,000, 25 guns
Casualties and losses
400	2,200, 25 guns

In the Battle of Molins de Rey or Battle of Molins de Rei or Battle of Molins del Rey on 21 December 1808 an Imperial French corps led by Laurent Gouvion Saint-Cyr attacked a Spanish army commanded by the Conde de Caldagues. The French, Italian, and Swiss soldiers broke through the Spanish right wing and forced their adversaries to retreat after capturing Caldagues and all the artillery. Molins de Rei is located 15 kilometres (9 mi) west of Barcelona, Spain. The engagement occurred during the Peninsular War, part of the Napoleonic Wars.

After his victory at the Battle of Cardadeu on 16 December, Gouvion Saint-Cyr relieved the blockaded Imperial corps under Guillaume Philibert Duhesme in Barcelona. Subsequently, the Spanish army fell back to a position behind the Llobregat River. Sending Joseph Chabran's division to mount a false frontal attack of the Spanish lines, Gouvion Saint-Cyr led the bulk of his corps to smash the opposing right flank. The Spanish position soon crumbled, but the French missed a chance to win a more significant victory when Chabran failed to pin down his outmaneuvered enemies. After the loss of its leader, Theodor von Reding took command of the Spanish army.

References

• Gates, David (2002). The Spanish Ulcer: A History of the Peninsular War. London: Pimlico. ISBN 0-7126-9730-6. 
• Rickard, J. (2008). "Battle of Cardadeu, 16 December 1808". historyofwar.com. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_cardadeu.html. 
• Rickard, J. (2008). "Battle of Molins del Rey, 21 December 1808". historyofwar.com. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_molins_del_rey.html. 
• Rickard, J. (2008). "Siege of Barcelona, 1 August-17 December 1808". historyofwar.com. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_molins_del_rey.html. 
• Smith, Digby (1998). The Napoleonic Wars Data Book. London: Greenhill. ISBN 1-85367-276-9.