The Battle of La Coruña was a significant military engagement during the Peninsular War, which pitted British forces against the French army. In early December 1808, British troops landed at La Coruña to assist the Spanish fight against the invading French. However, Sir John Moore's forces were soon outnumbered and faced a determined advance by Marshal Nicolas Soult’s French army. On January 16, 1809, the British and French armies collided in a fierce confrontation near La Coruña, a coastal city in Galicia, Spain.

The British forces, numbering around 15,000 men, held defensive positions against approximately 22,000 French troops. The engagement highlighted the tactical prowess of Moore and British soldiers who utilized their training and discipline in fighting a more numerous enemy. After hours of intense fighting, the British ultimately managed to secure a tactical withdrawal, evacuating most of their troops back to the British mainland. This was done at a great cost, as Moore himself was mortally wounded during the battle.

Despite the heavy losses, the battle had far-reaching implications. The successful evacuation allowed for the continuation of British involvement in the Peninsular War, which would unfold over several more years. The battle was instrumental in rallying international support for the Spanish resistance against Napoleonic rule, reinforcing the idea that effective opposition to Napoleon was feasible.