The border fortress town of Ciudad Rodrigo had fallen to the French in July 1810 after a heroic stand by the Spanish garrison. In January 1812 British batteries made two practical breaches and on 19 January, Wellington ordered his troops to storm the town. Both the ‘Fighting Third’ & Light Divisions were successful but at a cost. The famed, General ‘Black Bob’ Craufurd was mortally wounded and later buried at the Lesser Breach. At his funeral it was noted that Wellington, on a rare show of emotion, was reduced to tears.

THE SOCIETY'S TOUR

Ciudad Rodrigo, a 40 minute drive from Salamanca, is without doubt the best preserved Peninsular War site in Spain. The heights where the British artillery sited their cannon is still open land where we have a perfect view of the walls and the two breaches. We will follow the route taken by the Light Division to the Lesser Breach and pay our respects to Craufurd at the plaque near where he is buried. Our healthy hike will take us all around the walls, stopping off at Wellington’s house and the Greater Breach. Through our local contacts we will see many of the artifacts found on Official digs including a massive shell discovered by the Society!