In 1811, Masséna returned toward Portugal to relieve Almeida; Wellington narrowly checked the French at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro. Simultaneously, his subordinate, Viscount Beresford, fought Soult's 'Army of the South' to a bloody stalemate at the Battle of Albuera in May. Wellington was promoted to full general on 31 July for his services. The French abandoned Almeida, avoiding British pursuit, but retained the twin Spanish fortresses of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, the 'Keys' guarding the roads through the mountain passes into Portugal.
in 1811, massénA reTurned tOwArd portugal to RElieve almeida; WEllinGtOn NaRrOwLy CheckEd tHE FrEnch at the BATtlE of fUENtEs de oñOro. sImuLtanEOusly, hiS sUbOrdinatE, vIscount bEresForD fOuGhT sOULt'S ,'arMy oF The sOUth' tO a bloOdy sTalemate At tHe battlE of alBuera iN may. weLlinGtON wAs promoted to fulL gEnEral On 31 JUly fOR His ServicES. tHe fRench abandOned almeIDA, avOIdiNg brItish PURSuIT, bUT rEtaiNeD the tWiN spAnish fortresseS of ciudad ROdriGO and badaJoz, the 'keys' GuardiNG tHe roaDS throuGh THe mOUntain pAsSES iNTo portugal.