Which French marshal led the invasion of Portugal in 1810?

Which French marshal led the invasion of Portugal in 1810? André Masséna. Napoleon appointed Masséna to command the third French invasion of Portugal, making him the senior officer responsible for the campaign.

Masséna entered Portugal in September 1810 after capturing the fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Almeida. His army then fought Wellington’s Anglo-Portuguese forces at the Battle of Bussaco on 27 September. Although the French were checked there, Masséna outflanked the position and continued toward Lisbon.

The campaign ultimately failed at the Lines of Torres Vedras, a formidable defensive system protecting the Portuguese capital. French supply problems, scorched-earth tactics, disease and poor cooperation among Masséna’s subordinate commanders forced a long retreat beginning in 1811.

A common mix-up is confusing Masséna with Nicolas Soult, who led the second French invasion of Portugal in 1809, or Junot, who commanded the first invasion in 1807. Masséna’s campaign was the third and final French invasion of Portugal during the Peninsular War.