An important myth to dispel in relation to the sacking of San Sebastian: The town was NOT deliberately burnt to the ground by the British. It was already on fire before the storming (and on one occasion that attack had to be delayed due to the fire being too close to the breach). https://twitter.com/mcribbHistory/status/1300332021835804672">https://twitter.com/mcribbHis...

This myth about being deliberately raised was mentioned in Spanish newspapers, and persists to this day. It is claimed that the Brits feared San Sebastian would be a rival to British ports - that idea is, respectfully, ludicrous.

Great thread here by @mcribbHistory.

For more details on the aftermath of this and other Peninsular War sieges, have a listen to this episode of the Napoleonicist: https://anchor.fm/the-napoleonicist/episodes/The-Curious-Case-of-Badajoz-The-aftermath-of-British-sieges-in-the-Peninsular-War-ecqaj8">https://anchor.fm/the-napol...