Page 60 - All About History - Issue 52-17

Time Traveller’s Handbook

PENINSULAR

WAR Iberian Peninsular, 1807-14 Dos & don’ts

Ration your food. Supplies
ed by its brilliant and daring Emperor, However, Britain will not be standing alone for are vital to war in this barren
Napoleon, France has forged its way very long. Bolstered by his success, Napoleon landscape, and lack of food
through Europe, crushing foe after foe. has usurped the Spanish throne for his own could destroy an army before it even
LAustria, Prussia and Russia have been all brother, and prompted an uprising in Spain. faces an enemy.
but destroyed through Napoleon’s victories Seeing a chance of a new ally, Britain has
in countless battles. Only one country has sent its own force to the Iberian Peninsula, Pick up a pen. This is one of
managed to withstand France’s power: Britain. determined to team up with an old enemy in the first wars where soldiers
Victory at Trafalgar has driven the French order to stop the conquering of an even older are able to correspond with
and Spanish invasion of the country back. one for good. their families on a wide scale. Some
soldiers’ letters have even been
published in newspapers.

Get used to sleeping out in
the open. The common
infantry soldier only has a
blanket or greatcoat for warmth; the
luxury of a tent is reserved for officers.
Fig.01
Be wary of guerrillas.
Although guerrillas are
technically allies, they are also
known for looting their own
countrymen, so be on guard.

Expect memorials for the
dead or victory parades.
Soldiers who survive the war
will return to a minuscule pension and
little care for the wounded.
Believe the rumours that the
WHERE TO STAY French are invincible. This
will turn out to be the first
Initially, Portugal was invaded and occupied by the French-Spanish coalition, and conditions
major conflict that proves that rumour
there were harsh and dangerous. As Portugal is Britain’s oldest ally, this angered the nation, and
to be wrong.
in late 1808, Britain drove back the French. From then on it has become a relatively safe base
from which to launch campaigns against the emperor’s forces, while also providing supplies to
Forget to check the spoils of
the Spanish. Wellesley is aware of how important Portugal is, defending it with scorched earth
the battlefield. After being
and impregnable fort defences defeated at Vitoria, Joseph fled
known as the Lines of Torres Vedras. Fig.02
so quickly that he left all his personal
Closely guarded and defended, it’s
effects, 12 miles of carriages, and even
by far the safest play to stay in the
his chamber pot.
midst of this bloody war.
Take the easy route.
Wellesley uses rivers, secret
fords and even traversed
mountains to gain the upper hand on
his unsuspecting foes.

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