At last, on the 6 April, 1812, after months of besieging the mighty fortress of Badajoz, Wellington was told that the great breach was ready for storming. That night proved to be one of the most horrific and bloody episodes for the British Army in the Peninsular War. Every attack on the breach was beaten back and the dead and wounded laid in heaps. Just as Wellington was about to call off the assaults, Picton’s ‘Fighting’ Third Division managed to take the castle and an enterprising soldier pulled down the French flag atop the tower and hoisted his own red-coat. Badajoz was in British hands! The French commander fled over to Fort Cristobol but surrendered the following day. The British Army suffered appalling casualties and vented their fury on the civilians.

THE SOCIETY'S TOUR

The great breach is marked with the numbers 1812 and the peaceful setting of lawn and flower-beds are much removed from the slaughter that took place here on  6 April, 1812. At the Trinidad Gate we get the chance to feel what is was like for the French garrison when we climb the steps leading up to the battlements. Our walk from the Plaza Mayor and Cathedral takes us up to the castle which was successfully stormed by Picton’s men.

The tower still stands where the redcoat was hoisted up. After lunch we walk across the bridge and make our way up to explore Fort Cristobal,  one of the best preserved defenses from the Peninsular War.