Second Battle of Vera

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The second battle around Vera came just over a month after the Duke of Wellington defeated a French couterattack at the Battle of Sorauren.

The battle occurred on 7 October when the British attacked key forts and high ground controlling the local area.

The first target was the Star Fort, which only fell after a brutal see-sawing encounter, and the pursuit of the French led to the taking of the next important plateau.

When the position known as the Hog's Back was captured the French found the area impossible to hold and withdrew, leaving behind 1,300 casualties - almost a third of their initial force.

The British suffered 850 killed and wounded, but a key piece of France's defences had been unlocked.