Sharpe's Rifles

The Story of The 95th Rifles in The Peninsular War

Experience Tours Military History and Battlefield

Tour Introduction

On this 5-night and 6-day tour we explore the exploits of the legendary Light Division immortalised in Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels. Based out of comfortable hotels in Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca we traverse this evocative conflict landscape visiting some of the best Peninsular War battlefield sites.

These include the narrowly won victory at the River Côa, the brilliantly executed action at Bussaco, the spectacularly disciplined manoeuvres at Fuentes de Oñoro, and the impressive victory at Salamanca. Throughout we will focus on the actions and personalities of the soldiers and officers involved and for Sharpe fans one or more of the novels is used as a theme for each day.

The tour stands alone as an intimate and easily digested introduction to the wider Peninsular War so participants need have no prior knowledge of the region or the events.

Highlights

• In the company of soldier and historian Maj Gen Ashley Truluck
• Inspired by Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe novels
• Follow in the footsteps of the legendary 95th Rifles
• Explore evocative battle sites at Salamanca, the Côa, Fuentes de Oñoro, Bussaco, Barba del Puerco and García Hernández
• Stand on the walls of Ciudad Rodrigo, scene of the dramatic siege of 1812
• Visit some of Spain’s most historic towns including Salamanca and Ávila
• Journey through the rugged splendour of the ravines and fortress landscape of the Spanish-Portuguese border

Tour Details

2028

(6 Days)

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian
Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Incl. travel from UK: N/A

Expert Guides

Major General Ashley Truluck CB CBE BA

Ashley has enjoyed a particularly varied career, changing tack at least five times. He puts this down to a low threshold of boredom; his ‘friends’ say he just kept getting sacked!

Sailor: Starting out as a deckhand aboard sailing vessels, he eventually became an Ocean Skipper and Master Mariner. Carrying this over into his army career, he led many ‘Adventurous Training’ sailing expeditions; set a record for the fastest Trans-Atlantic crossing under sail; and circumnavigated the World including sailing in Antarctica and rounding Cape Horn.

Soldier: In his mainstream Army career, he served worldwide and commanded at every operational level from Gurkha platoon, to armoured troop, airmobile squadron, regiment, brigade, as Commander Far East Garrisons, and as NATO Assistant Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Strategist: Retiring as a major general, he became a Strategic Advisor for UK MOD and Defence Industry; and led modernisation programmes for the London Law Courts and the national Fire & Rescue Services.

Sheriff: His extra-mural voluntary appointments have included Honorary Colonel of his regiment, Admiral of an ocean sailing club, Chair of a number of national and regional charities, and acting as HM High Sheriff of Wiltshire.

Scholar: He is now indulging his life-long passion for military history as Chairman / Vice President of the Society for Army Historical Research and is actively involved with the British Battlefield Trust. He helped set up The Cultural Experience and these days enjoys organising and leading scheduled & bespoke tours to locations as varied as Waterloo, Spain, Portugal, France, Malta and Vietnam. His specialisations are Wellington, command & control, and the Light Division.

Find Out More

Background

Between 1808 and 1813 the Duke of Wellington fought a grinding but ultimately outstandingly successful campaign in the Iberian Peninsula. During this time he honed his troops into arguably the most professional army Britain has ever produced and literally bled Napoleon’s available manpower dry, contributing to his defeat and exile to Elba in 1814.

Pivotal to the campaign was the legendary Light Division, Wellington’s crack troops who, spearheaded by the 95th Rifles, marched the length and breadth of Portugal and Spain during the course of the Peninsular War. The ubiquity of the Division was remarkable - acting as the British Army’s vanguard in advance; screen in defence; and rearguard in retreat - there was no major battle in which they were not involved.

Their exploits are recorded in a wealth of contemporary diaries written by officers and soldiers which paint a vivid picture of what it was like to march with them ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’ (to quote The Rifles marching song).

"We're Soldiers, you and I. We cannot expect riches, or dignity, or continual victory. We will die, probably, in battle, or in a fever ward, and no one will remember us, so all that is left is honour."

From Sharpe’s Gold

What's Included

3 & 4 Star Hotels
Dedicated Tour Manager
Expert historians throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
Dinner parties hosted by your expert historians and tour manager
Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
Helpful and friendly travel advice
Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach

Itinerary

Day 1: Outward Travel

Fly from London to Madrid airport where the group assembles. Drive to Ciudad Rodrigo and check in to our hotel for three nights. (D)

Day 2: Sharpe's Gold - Barba del Puerco, the Coa and Almeida

We spend a fascinating day in the rugged highlands along the Portuguese border: We start with a visit to the Roman bridge over the spectacular gorge at Barba del Puerco ('Pig's Beard') which was the setting for an heroic stand which has gone down in Rifles history. A few miles south is Fort Conception, spiritual home of the Light Division, of which we catch glimpses before making our way down to the River Coa to see how the Light Division escaped being cut off by vastly superior French forces thanks to excellent leadership by junior officers. Finally we visit the Portuguese border fortress of Almeida overlooking the River Coa and hear its amazing story. (B,D).

Day 3: Sharpe's Escape: Bussaco

Today we take a day trip into Portugal to visit the iconic battlefield of Bussaco, set in a beautiful national park. We see where the Light Division held up a whole French Corps, viewing the scene from the very windmill from which their operations were directed. (B,D).

Day 4: Sharpe's Battle: Fuentes de Onoro and Ciudad Rodrigo

We visit the unspoilt and atmospheric village of Fuentes de Oñoro ('Fountain of Gold') and also the plain in front of it where the Light Division's brilliant tactics rescued Wellington from probable disaster. Then back to Ciudad Rodrigo to hear the story of the Light Division's heroic storming of the fortress before travelling on to Salamanca for two nights. (B,D).

Day 5: Sharpe's Sword: Salamanca battlefield and forts

This morning we explore the remains of the city's forts and then travel out to the wonderful battlefield of Salamanca, where we climb the hill above Miranda de Azan and the Greater Arapile from where superb panoramas of the battlefield can be gained. (B,D).

Day 6: Homeward

This morning we make a brief stop to discuss the German heavy cavalry destruction of the French squares at Garcia Hernandez. Travel to Madrid airport via a brief photo opportunity of the spectacular walled town of Ávila. The tour ends at the airport unless you are returning with us to London. (B)