How did Wellington win the Battle of Vitoria in 1813?

At the Battle of Vitoria on June 21, 1813, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, commanded a combined force of 72,000 British, Spanish, and Portuguese troops against 57,000 French soldiers under King Joseph Bonaparte.

The French held a defensive position in the Vitoria basin, protected by the Zadorra River. Wellington’s strategy involved a coordinated advance:

• Coordinated Advance: Shortly after 8:00 AM, Allied forces moved in four columns against the entire French front.
• River Crossing: The Allies crossed the Zadorra River at several lightly held bridges to the west, forcing the French center and left to withdraw to protect Vitoria.
• Overwhelming Pressure: Following heavy fighting, the French right flank gave way. By 7:00 PM, the French were in full retreat toward Pamplona, abandoning their artillery and vast quantities of baggage.12

This decisive victory broke Napoleon’s power in Spain, allowing the Allies to gain control of the Basque provinces and eventually push the French forces back across the Pyrenees.12