Back to the Napoleonic Wars, the Vimeiro campaign and beyond

[Capt William]

To set the scene, just click and minimise the following musical link
Theme Music

Just when you thought it was quite in Portugal, the peace and tranquillity of the region is about to be
disturbed by a conflict which has engulfed much of central and eastern europe as Napoleons victorious
armies sweep all before them at the Battles of Austerlitz, Jena and Friedland.
Now with most of Europe under his control - his attentions are drawn to Portugal, who have defied
all requests to break off commercial trade with Britain.

French troops marching into Spain 1807:

French military columns, marching into Spain

Therefore a French army is sent under the command of General Junot which crosses Spain into Portugal
and occupies the country with little resistance. The royal family only just managing to escape to Brazil,
a couple of days before Lisbon falls to the French.

Napoleon leading his troops at the Battle of Austerlitz:





The Austerlitz campaign, December 1805

For those soldiers and campfollowers involved in the Battle of Austerlitz over in the
Czech Republic, it was much more than a battle - it was a full campaign.
Strung out over 5 days, this video tells the story leading up to the battle,
as Napoleon's french outposts, quartered in villages, east of Brno.
Come under attack from several brigades of the Austro-Russian army. Harried by the
Czars cossacks, the french retreat in good order until their final fatal encounter on the
battlefield of Austerlitz, east of Brno.

Click on film clip text below, to see the preliminary skirmishes between the two armies

Film clips of the french falling back before the Russian and Austrian advance

The battle of Austerlitz as broadcast live on Czech TV:

Ceska Television, live 2 hour coverage of Napoleon's Battle of Austerlitz

BBC News report of the Battle of Austerlitz, including video report
on Napoleon's greatest victory:

BBC News coverage of the Battle, near Brno

BBC news report on Napoleon's vctory over the Prussian's at Jena:

BBC News report of Napoleon's victory over the Prussians at Jena

Russian TV report on Napoleons victory at Jena in Germany:

Russian TV news report of Napoleon's victory

German TV film of Napoleon Boneparte's entry to Berlin and
his speech after receiving the keys to the city:

German Television report on Napoleon's entry into Berlin, following his victory at Jena

National Flag of the Kingdom of Portugal 1707 - 1816




Heres a humourous account of the events leading up to the evacuation
of the Portuguese royal family from Lisbon in November 1807

Don John VI goes to Brazil part 1

Don John VI sails for Brazil, part1

Don John VI goes to Brazil part 2

Don John VI sails for Brazil, part2

British landings in Portugal & the Vimeiro campaign of 1808:
French soldiers under the command of General Junot have been siezing key cities and garrisons for the emperor and the Portuguese government, outraged by events, have called upon their old ally Britain to come to her aid. Consequently a British force under the command of Sir Arthur Wellesley has been landing troops this week at Mondego bay ( Figueira da Foz ) 120 miles north of Lisbon.
Having secured the beachead Wellesley will link up with his Portuguese allies before advancing on Lisbon ( still held by the French )
General Junot therefore sends a small force under General Delaborde to block the british advance at the village of Roliça. Having set the scene, the dye is cast - therefore expats are advised to beware of all military operations north of Torres Vedras.

To mark the occasion of the start of the Pennisular Wars in Portugal. The BBC is running a very interesting radio documentary on Radio 4 all week called, At War with Wellington where BBC presenters, Peter and Dan Snow follow in the footsteps of Sir Arthur Wellesley ( Lord Wellington ) and the British army during the Penninsular War - starting with the landings in Mondego Bay.

At War with Wellington - taking you through the Peninsular campaign
starting with the british landings in Portugal ( includes video report )

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/wellington/

The full Radio 4 series - listen again to At War with Wellington:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/wellington/audio.shtml

Concluding part of the Sharpe theme music, please click & minimise.
Conclusion of the Sharpe theme music

[spownall]

Where can I enlist Capt?

Oh, and welcome to the forum

Private Pownall
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www.expatsportugal.com

[digger]

Excellent Capt.

and encyclopedia.com has a MAP of the scene of a battle.

I have been through Vimeiro many times when staying with family in Santa Cruz. Very pretty; now (since 1845) famous for it's mineral water.

On the hills of Torres Vedras you can see little fortress thingies. I've been told that they are from Wellington's day.
_________________
"life's a beach"

[Capt William]

[PhilandBev]

Aaaa... my past catches up with me again......

Lets hope they do not press me this time....

NA or ENS or both?

Phil

(ex sailing master for the HMS www.hms.org.uk )
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Phil and Beverley

[Fionn]

"Shiver me timbers ! "They look a right scurvy lot !


Aargh.

[Ali Gator]

What wonderful, wonderful pictures. Ali
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veni, vidi, vici.”

[Capt William]

British troops begin their advance on Lisbon

Following the successful landings at Mondego bay. The British under Wellesley join up with
a local Portuguese force, who inform the british that the french are
barring the road to Lisbon at an all important river crossing.

British troops join forces with the Portuguese browncoats:



Wellesley decides to send his riflemen forward to reconnoitre the
position and soon encounters the French barricading the bridge
across the river.

British riflemen exchanging fire with the french:



French troops blockading the bridge with a cannon:



Therefore Wellesley moves more troops forward and a battle begins for the
all important river crossing.



Finally the british attack proves too much for the french who fall back in
disarray, leaving the British to continue their march on Lisbon.






Meanwhile the French force sent out by Junot, to block Wellesley's advance on
Lisbon. Is already on the road marching to meet the british advance at
Roliça. Here General Delaborde hopes to delay the british long enough for
the main french army to meet the british before they reach Lisbon.

French troops under General Delaborde marching to meet Wellesley:



In the meantime the Portuguese have been well prepared for the upcoming
battle with posters and leaflets warning residents to watch out for
the battles that are likely to take place on 16th August.



British residents, alarmed by the news, have been stocking up with food before barricading
themselves in their villas - with Union Jacks flying defiantly from their window ledges.

Naturally Wellesley hopes to break through the french rearguard at
Roliça and proceed with all haste, to meet the main french army under
Junot at the Battle of Vimeiro. Although I'm sure Wellesley never envisaged that the
battle of Vimiero will be refought as quickly as this months battle, as
it will be refought at 6pm on 16th August.

As usual, please click & minimise the concluding theme music:

Johnny has gone for a Soldier
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On long range patrol, scouting deep behind enemy lines.

[ithepider]

Currently on Radio 4, all this week - At War with Wellington. Use BBC Radio 4 listen again and find out from diaries and written accounts about the Peninsular War campaign.......very enlightening.

[Capt William]

[Fionn]

"Any problems with deserters ?

[snoringunicorn]

Anyone finds Sean Bean -er - Major Sharpe in there somewhere, HE'S MINE!!!!

Bwahahahahahaha!

Julie
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Genealogists do it in Trees

[spownall]

[Fionn]

"Expatriado and proud !

[Capt William]

For deserters, Oops I mean expats going to this weekends events at Rolica,
near Bombarrel. Please note the following.

Their are a series of ancilliary events taking place in northern Portugal,
to coinicide with the 200th anniversary of the start of the Peninsular Wars
1808-1814.

Obidos museum? from July until end of September:
Exhibition on the Peninsular Wars in Portugal.

Torres Vedras:
Where the Torres Vedras lines, a series of forts and redoubts north of Lisbon
( a napoleonic Maginot line ) were built on the orders of Wellesley by Portuguese
and british sappers to stop the second french invasion of
Portugal from ever reaching Lisbon. See the fort São Vicente and the
museum in the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Graça (there’s a diorama
of Vimeiro and other interesting artifacts )

Battles of Rolica & Vimeiro on saturday. 16th August:
Anyone wanting to watch both battles at Rolica over the weekend, should
ask the organisers of the event where the second battle will take place.
Apparently theirs been some chopping and changing of the event program
and theirs still some confusion over the location of the second event in
the afternoon.

Vimeiro, sunday 17th August:
Their will be a re-enactment of the assualt of Kellermans grenadiers on
the british line holding Vimeiro. Again ask the organisers on saturday if
this event is still going ahead.

Finally allow plenty of time to get their and be prepared to leave your car
some distance from the event. Hopefully their will be roadsigns giving
directions from Bombarrel.
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On long range patrol, scouting deep behind enemy lines.