The Battle of Fuentes de Onoro
3-5 May 1811 · The Battle for Almeida
The Battle of Fuentes de Onoro, fought on 3-5 May 1811, was Marshal Masséna's final attempt to relieve the besieged fortress of Almeida. The village changed hands repeatedly in hard street fighting, and Wellington narrowly avoided disaster on his exposed southern flank. Masséna's failure effectively ended French hopes of recovering Portugal.
Background
Marshal Masséna, having finally retreated from the Lines of Torres Vedras, attempted to relieve the besieged fortress of Almeida.
The Battle
The village of Fuentes de Onoro changed hands repeatedly through hard street fighting. On the southern flank, Wellington narrowly avoided disaster when his right wing became exposed. The famous Light Division covered a difficult withdrawal with exceptional discipline.
Significance
Masséna ultimately failed to relieve Almeida. French hopes of recovering Portugal effectively ended. Wellington himself later remarked that if Napoleon had been there, they would have been beaten.
Where This Fits in the Peninsular War
The Battle of Fuentes de Onoro was fought during the middle years of the war (1810-1811). See where it sits in the full chronology of the campaign, from the first British landings in Portugal to the final battle at Toulouse, on the complete campaign guide.
Page last updated: July 2026