062.Almaraz1_19May12 - WDS Wellington's Peninsular War

Almaraz Forts 19 May 1812 - As early as February, Wellington had contemplated a raid to destroy the Almaraz bridge - and thus greatly hinder communications between the Army of Portugal and the Army of the South - but at that time there were three French divisions in the vicinity. However, in early May he learnt that there was only a single French division at Talavera, two marches from Almaraz. This would give Hill two or three days before Foy's division could reach Almaraz. Discovering the strength of the Miravete fort, Hill ordered Chowne to make a diversionary attack while the rest of his troops took an alternative route to attack Fort Napoleon and secure the bridge and Fort Ragusa on the opposite bank.