Battle of Corunna Jan 1809 - events this weekend

As the history buffs on this forum will know - its the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Corunna
in north-west Spain this weekend. Fought on 16th January 1809 between the retreating British
army commanded by general, Sir John Moore and the French, commanded by Marshall Soult.
This is the Dunkirk of the Napoleonic Wars for the british, who had marched into Spain in Nov 1808
to support a Spainish insurrection against the French that recaptured Madrid. But Napoleon
intervened with fresh troops from eastern europe accompainied by able Marshall’s like Soult,
completely undoing the earlier successes of the spainish rebels.
With the spainish army defeated by Napoleon’s troops, Moore had to beat a hasty retreat from
Salamanca to Corunna in the appaling winter weather conditions of 1809.
Naturally their will be many commemorative ceremonies and other events, including some
minor battles this weekend.

Obviously the above events will also be of interest to many Sharpe fans - as the very first
Sharpe book written by Bernard Cornwell was Sharpes Rifles, set in 1809 amidst
the turmoil of the British retreat to Corunna.

I could say more - but to get the latest news, pictures and videos, check out the folllowing
expat forum blog:

http://www.expatsportugal.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5931&start=0