Battle of Lier (1808)

The Battle of Lier was a minor skirmish fought on July 10, 1808, during the Peninsular War. It took place near the town of Lier (or Liria), located in the province of Valencia, Spain.

The engagement involved a small French force under the command of General Moncey, engaged in a campaign to subdue the region of Valencia, and a Spanish militia force attempting to resist the French advance.

The Spanish militia, composed largely of untrained volunteers and local peasantry, was significantly outnumbered and outgunned by the experienced French troops. The battle resulted in a decisive French victory. The Spanish resistance was quickly overwhelmed, and Lier was occupied by the French.

While a clear victory for the French, the Battle of Lier was strategically insignificant in the larger context of the Peninsular War. It did, however, demonstrate the tenacity of the Spanish resistance, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The prolonged campaign in Valencia, of which the Battle of Lier was a small part, contributed to stretching French resources and manpower, ultimately impacting Napoleon's overall strategy in the Iberian Peninsula.