In Hell Before Daylight: Badajoz

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The storming of Badajoz was a real epic, involving Wellington’s men in some of the most savage hand-to-hand fighting of the Peninsular War. At appalling cost, in a nightmare battle which lasted throughout the night of 6 April 1812, they hacked their way over the bodies of the dead and through the forbidding medieval walls which were held with great courage and skill by a brave French and German garrison. Having successfully stormed the walls the battle-crazed army went berserk and the horrors of the sacking which followed, as much as the sublime courage of the attackers, have passed into legend. This special tour takes us back to the scene of this legendary action on its 200th anniversary. We visit the castle walls, the San Vicente bastion and, of course, the site of the terrible breaches that consumed so many of Wellington’s men. The itinerary may be liable to change depending on any planned commemorative events.

Day 1. Fly London to Lisbon. Drive to Badajoz and the 4-star Hotel Bovedas. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2. Breakfast. The 200th anniversary of the storming of Badajoz. We start by considering the background to the siege and the operation itself before our tour of the city and its defences. We will consider the failed siege in June 1811 by visiting Fort San Christobal, before we turn our attention to the third siege in 1812. We visit the area of the siege lines and the remains of Fort Picurina, the castle, the San Vicente Bastion and, finally, the site of the breaches in the Trinidad and Santa Maria bastions and the curtain wall between them. There will be the optional return visit to the site of the breaches after dinner to get the full effect of the attack at night. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. Today we visit nearby Campo Mayor, scene of the controversial cavalry fight of 25 March 1811 before driving south to visit the great battlefield of Albuera, just to the south of Badajoz. It was here on 16 May 1811 that so much regimental tradition was established. We will also visit nearby Olivenza, a successful British operation in 1811. Return to hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. We return to Lisbon for some free time before our return flight to London.

5-8 April 2012 Price £895 Single Supplement £120

Package includes: Return air fare, three nights half-board accommodation, three breakfasts, three dinners including wine, coach transport, guide Ian Fletcher.

Ian Fletcher Battlefield Tours

Agemus Agenda