It commenced on 27 January 1811,[2] despite the fact that Gazan's infantry division of 6,000 men, which was escorting the siege train, would not arrive until 3 February.

In order to draw some of the Allied forces away from Masséna and the Lines of Torres Vedras,[5] Soult had led an expedition of 20,000 men into Extremadura with the aim of capturing the Spanish fortress at Badajoz.

Dividing his army into two contingents, he advanced into Extremadura via the two main passes leading from Andalusia into the Guadiana valley, with the intention of rejoining at Almendralejo.

[8] In September 1810, Rafael Menacho was promoted to field marshal and appointed military and civil governor of Badajoz, as well as commanding officer of its garrison.

IV (1911), was especially critical of Imaz's surrender, summing it up as follows: Badajoz was found by the victors to contain rations for 8,000 men sufficient to last for over a month, more than 150 serviceable cannon, 80,000 lb.