March 26

Battle of Albuera — Bloodiest Day of the Peninsular War

Allied forces under Beresford defeated French Marshal Soult at Albuera in one of the war's bloodiest engagements, with the British 57th Regiment losing 428 of its 570 men while holding their line. A survivor recalled the Colonel saying 'Die hard, 57th, die hard!'

Albuera's sacrifice earned the 57th Regiment the nickname 'Die Hards' and helped contain French forces in southern Spain, allowing Wellington's main army to operate in the north.