Combat of El Bruc

Battles of El Bruc
Part of the Peninsular War

Montserrat mountains viewed from the Bruc.
Date6 June and 14 June 1808
LocationEl Bruc, near Barcelona, Spain
Result 1st: Spanish victory
2nd: Spanish victory
Belligerents
France French Empire Spain Kingdom of Spain
Commanders and leaders
France François de Schwarz
France Joseph Chabran		 Spain Antoni Franch i Estalella
Spain Joan Baiget
Strength
3,800–5,000 regulars 2,000 regulars and militia
Casualties and losses
6 June:
360 dead
800 wounded
60 captured
1 gun captured
Total: 1,220
14 June:
83 dead
274 wounded
Total: 357
Grand total: 1,577		 6 June:
20 dead
80 wounded
Total: 100
14 June:
15 dead
50 wounded
Total: 65
Grand total: 165

The two Battles of the Bruch (Catalan: El Bruc) were engagements fought successively between a French columns commanded by Brigadier General François de Schwarz and General of Division Joseph Chabran, and a body of Catalan volunteers and mercenaries led by General Antoni Franch i Estalella and Joan de la Creu Baiget, during the Peninsular War. The result of these battles and actions fought at El Bruc, near Barcelona, Catalonia, between 6–14 June 1808 was a Spanish victory.[1] The Spanish also captured a French Imperial Eagle, adding to defeat a humiliation for the French army.[2]

June 6

The French detachment of 3,800 soldiers under General of Brigade François Xavier de Schwarz emerged from Barcelona on June 4, advancing in the direction of Saragossa–Lleida. A rainstorm that day slowed their march considerably; the delay gave time for local Spanish forces, composed of militia from the neighboring villages, Catalan volunteers (sometent), and Swiss and Walloon soldiers from the Barcelona garrison (2,000 men), to mobilize for action. The Catalans were led by General Antoni Franch i Estalella and deployed along Bruch Pass.

The resulting stand was a success,[3] and the French under General Schwarz were turned back to Barcelona with the loss of 360 dead, 800 wounded, 60 prisoners, and one gun captured. The Partisans also captured an Imperial Eagle, adding to defeat a humiliation for the French army.[4]

French army

Statue of Antoni Franch i Estalella at "Castells d'Igualada" square.

Spanish forces

June 14

A second French sortie on June 14 led by General of Division Joseph Chabran succeeded only in putting to the torch several buildings in El Bruc after being defeated and repelled by the Spanish forces led by Joan Baiget. On 15 June, the Spanish attacked the French in their painful withdrawal to Barcelona, causing to Chabran more than 500 dead and wounded.[5]

French army

Spanish forces

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Gates p. 59
  2. ↑ Solís p. 167
  3. ↑ Gates p. 59
  4. ↑ Solís p. 167
  5. ↑ Pigeard. Dictionnaire des batailles de Napoléon

References

Coordinates: 41°34′48″N 1°46′49″E / 41.58000°N 1.78028°E / 41.58000; 1.78028

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