Anthony Gray will talk on “Civilian Casualties in the 3rd French Invasion of Portugal" - Tuesday 16 February at 7:00.
To register and obtain the code to join the talk please contact Ian Brewer at i_j_brewer@msn.com.
In autumn 1810, the Third French Invasion of Portugal under Marshal Massena commenced. The Portuguese population were encouraged to abandon their homes and flee to deny all supplies to the invaders.
Whilst anglophone students may be familiar with the battle of Bussaco, the first occasion in which Portuguese troops played a significant role and the withdrawal to the Lines of Torres Vedras they may be less familiar with the impact of the campaign on the civilian population.
The scorched earth policy caused tremendous hardship to the civilians. Anthony Gray will describe the impact of the government’s decisions and the behaviour of the troops on the unfortunate inhabitants.
