Badajoz

Badajoz (formerly Badajos), the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, is situated close to the Portuguese frontier, on the left bank of the river Guadiana, and the Madrid-Lisbon railway. The population in 1990 was 126,781; in 2002 it was 136,851.

The Storming of Badajoz, 1812

In 1812, Duke of Wellington again attempted to take Badajoz, which had a French garrison of about 5,000 men. Siege operations commenced on March 16 , and by early April there were three practicable breaches in the walls. These were assaulted by 2 British divisions April 6 1812 The attacks were pressed with great gallantry for 5 hours but repeatedly beaten back with heavy loss. Meanwhile the castle, and another section of undamaged wall had been attacked by escalade, and successfully taken by the British. At the cost of some 5,000 casualties, Wellington had succeeded in taking Badajoz. He wrote to Lord Liverpool

Related Topics:
1812 - Duke of Wellington - April 6

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"The capture of Badajoz affords as strong an instance of the gallantry of our troops as has ever been displayed, but I anxiously hope that I shall never again be the instrument of putting them to such a test as that to which they were put last night"

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((However, the storming of San Sebastian in 1813 was much like Badajoz))

Related Topics:
San Sebastian - 1813

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In the Siege of Badajoz, a detachtment of the 45th Regiment (later algamated with the 95th to form Sherwood Foresters Regiment)succeeded in getting into the castle first and the red coatee of Lt. James MacPherson of the 45th was hoisted in place of the French flag to indicate the fall of the castle. This feat is commemorated on the 6th April each year when red jackets are flown on Regimental flag staffs and at Nottingham Castle.

Related Topics:
Siege - Sherwood Foresters - Lt. James MacPherson - Castle - 6th April - Nottingham Castle

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With the town taken, military discipline largely disappeared, and the town was subjected to two days of pillage, murder, rape and drunkenness by the British survivors. The only way to restore order was to erect the gallows and flog many soldiers.

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:: (Sir Harry Smith undertook to protect two young ladies from any insult during the sack of Badajoz, one of whom he married. In consequence Ladysmith is named after a former inhabitant of Badajoz, Juana Maria Smith)

Related Topics:
Sir Harry Smith - Ladysmith - Juana Maria Smith

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