February sapper mag:Layout 1 21/1/09 16:18 Page 38
Ex Salamanca S
O
fficers of 75 Engr Regt (V) deployed 16–20 Oct 08 on a
By Lt Parks & Second Lt Jones – 20
battlefield study to Salamanca in Spain, site of the decisive
1812 battles during the Peninsula War. The aims of the visit included a
study of Wellington’s masterful use of the ground (advising command-
ers on how the ground affects operations being core sapper business)
and examining how Wellington’s approach could be compared to
today’s manoeuvre warfare doctrine.
Easyjet made every effort to thwart our grand plan by cancelling
flights from Liverpool airport at the last minute but exercise director
Capt Jan Burgess was made of sterner stuff and we found ourselves
with alternative flights from Gatwick, and an epic overnight minibus
journey to London from the Regiment’s HQ in Warrington. Bleary
eyed, we flew direct to Madrid in time to move into the hostel and
spend the afternoon practising our Spanish. Particular thanks go to the
CO for his expert use of the Spanish phrase book, and a substantial
amount of finger pointing, to successfully order enough tapas for
twelve for lunch! Capt Burgess had kindly reminded us of the pick
pocket and mugging threat prominent in central Madrid….all we could
think was GOOD LUCK TO THEM, as 13 very tired army officers are
not the best of people to try to mug!
The following morning we embarked on the cultural part of the
exercise with a visit to the Royal Armoury. This impressive facility has
a wealth of muskets, rifles, pistols and other ancient weaponry, and
numerous suits of armour, including child size suits made for princes –
well worth a visit for any budding military historian! Departing Madrid
in three hire cars, we then made our way towards Salamanca. With
Corsa-sized transport and 13 travellers it was a good job we were all
travelling light! There may be some in the Corps who will be pleased to
note that between us we did not have a map. Thanks to our improvisa-
tion (Maj Dexter’s European satnav), discipline and determination (con-
voy drills) it all came good in the end.
We arrived at Salamanca in time for a tour of the city. The river running
through Salamanca had played an important part in ensuring that the deci-
sive engagement between Wellington’s Peninsula Army and Marmont’s
French force had taken place where it had – just north-west of the city. The
roman masonry arch bridge into the city is still in existence and testament to the efforts of our roman engineer coun-
terparts. We soon learnt how the bridge itself was the site of an important engagement after the main battle.
Early the next morning we met our expert guide, Stephen Jones of the Wellington Society. With a wealth of
knowledge on the Peninsula War - and a sports jacket which probably dates back to the day of the battle -
Stephen provided us with an excellent tour of the battlefield.
The battle itself took place on 22 July 1812 and was one of Wellington’s finest victories. It followed weeks
during which the Peninsula Army and French forces marched parallel to one another before the ground forced
them into a decisive engagement, and pitched Wellington’s 48,600 troops against some 50,000 French. From our
first stop, it was apparent how much of the original battlefield has remained undeveloped, allowing us to appreciate
the battlefield pretty much as it was in the early 1800s. From here we were told of the experiences of the light
infantry of Campbell’s First Division. Their foraging parties collecting water from the river were fired upon by the
French, not a normal practice of the day, and one which incensed the British.
Throughout the battle, Wellington displayed outstanding use of the ground. By hiding most of his divisions behind
a ridge, he was able to deceive Marmont into thinking that he faced a British rear guard. Waiting for Marmont to
make a wrong move, Wellington was quick to react when he realised the French had extended their line to the west.
We visited both the Lesser Arapiles and the Greater Arapiles, the areas of high ground and key terrain of the
battlefield. From these positions we were able to see most of the battlefield and get a feel for how Wellington was
able to use the dead ground to hide his divisions until he needed to commit them to the battle. British artillery held
the Lesser Arapiles, with Marmont occupying the Greater Arapiles. It was here that we told of Marmont’s injury,
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