v52_1059 - Duro de 5 pesetas 1808 Gérone VG.2137 var.

SPAIN - SIEGE OF GERONA

(1808-1809)

Three attempts were necessary for the French to seize the city of Girona located on the main road between Spain and the south of France. The French army seized, from February 29, 1808, Barcelona but did not then occupy Girona. After the beginning of the Spanish insurrection, in the spring of 1808, General Duhesme found himself in Barcelona, dangerously isolated from the main French army located around Madrid. He therefore decides to seize Girona to secure the lines of communication between Barcelona and Perpignan. After two unsuccessful attempts (June 20-21, 1808 and July 24 - August 16, 1808), the city fell into French hands on May 6, 1809 and remained under siege until its capitulation on December 12, 1809..