The sixth episode of Send Three & Fourpence.
The siege of Badajoz was unquestionably a dark day in the history of the British Army. On the 6th of April 1812, Wellington's army which was besieging the French garrison launched an all out assault on two breaches that had been made in the walls.
The result was hellish. The attackers suffered 4,800 casualties, but successfully stormed the town. After the storm, the officers lost control of their men and the town was sacked. Three days of murder, rape, robbery and looting followed before order was restored.
Zack White of "The Napoleonicist" podcast has argued quite convincingly to my mind that the sack was, if not officially sanctioned, considered an acceptable risk. The loot that would result was thought of as a necessary inducement to convince men to storm the town in the face of determined opposition and lacking an appropriate siege train.
You can listen to Zack make his arguments here.
https://static.wixstatic.com/mp3/5419df_26b304f3a6264f8b9d372606be2392c3.mp3
https://anchor.fm/the-napoleonicist/episodes/The-Curious-Case-of-Badajoz-The-aftermath-of-British-sieges-in-the-Peninsular-War-ecqaj8
At the end of the episode, I pose a question - "Knowing what Wellington knew at the time and knowing the likely result for the civilian population, would you have ordered the storming of Badajoz?" I'd be interested to hear what you think.
You can leave a message at https://anchor.fm/conrad-kinch or you can record something and send it to me at [email protected]. Or find me on Twitter at @aquestingvole.
