French grip on Egypt slips. On this day in 1801 the Battle of Alexandria took place in darkness in the early hours and was one of the most chaotic actions of the Wars of the French Revolution. At the time, Egypt was described as the master-key to all the trading nations of the earth. It was the shortest route to the East but, as long as it remained a French colony, it also posed a threat as the potential staging post for a French invasion of British India. Painting: The Battle of Alexandria by Philip James de Loutherbourg depicts the British commander Sir Ralph Abercromby, although mortally wounded, directing the battle. Unfortunately, bad weather delayed the landing of the British expeditionary force at Aboukir Bay under the command of General Sir Ralph Abercromby on 8 March 1801. This gave the French ample time to organize an attack. A stiff engagement ensued on 13 March, forcing the British to withdraw to a defensive position five miles from Alexandria. On the morning of 21 March, the French attempted a surprise attack on the British who, although expecting an assault, misjudged its timing and direction. For a while, the British line seemed threatened. However, reinforcements and renewed artillery fire enabled it to rally and win the day. This decisive defeat led to the surrender of Alexandria and so to the expulsion of the French from Egypt. The British force sustained less than half the number of French casualties (British, 1468 killed, wounded and missing. French, 1160 killed and 3000 wounded). However, these included Abercromby, who was struck by a musket ball in the thigh and died of his wounds a week later. Major-General (later Lieutenant-General Sir) John Moore said of Abercromby that he was the best man, and the best soldier, who has appeared amongst us this war. Technically, the details of the action show that, while not markedly better in a melee than the war-seasoned French, the British infantry had in its volleys a power that no other troops then existing possessed, and it was these volleys that decided the day even more than the individual stubbornness of the men.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 09:36:39 +0000
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