Attack on Brest

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Attack on Brest
partof=the Nine Years' War


caption=
date=1694-06-18
place=Brest, France
casus=
territory=
result=French victory
combatant1=
combatant2= Kingdom of France
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=10,000+
strength2=
casualties1=1,100-1,200 killed
casualties2=45

The Attack on Brest was an amphibious landing on 1694-06-18 by the English in an attempt to seize the French port of Brest, as part of the Nine Years' War.

Prelude

When the fleet of Tourville left Brest for the Mediterranean, a plan was made to attack and destroy the harbour of Brest and all ships which lay there.

A fleet was assembled in Portsmouth under command of Admiral Berkeley, consisting of 36 warships, 12 fireships and 40 transport ships, carrying an invasion army of 10,000 soldiers under command of general Talmash.

But the invasion plan had been briefed to the French, which started immediately to organize the defence of the city and the rocky coast around it. The organizer of this defence was the renowned Vauban, builder of many fortresses around France. The bad weather kept the English fleet in its harbour for a month, giving the French just enough time to prepare a warm reception.

Battle

The English fleet finally left for Brittany and anchored on June 17 near Camaret Bay, close to the mouth of the harbour of Brest.Talmash proposed to land in Camaret Bay. Therefore the Marquess of Carmarthen sailed on his ship the "Peregrine" into the bay on a reconnaissance mission. One of Carmarthen's companions was John Cutts. On his return Carmarthen reported seeing a formidable opposition and advised against an attack. But Talmash and Berkeley suspected that he overrated the danger, and decided to attack the next morning.

On June 18, Caermarthen was ordered to enter the bay with eight vessels and to batter the French defences. Talmash followed with about a hundred boats full of soldiers.

Soon, Caermarthen learned that the situation was much worst than he has estimated the previous day. Batteries which had then escaped notice, opened on the ships a fire so murderous that several decks were soon cleared. He also saw great bodies of regular troops. He tried to warn Talmash, but he wouldn't listen. Talmash ordered his men to pull for the beach. A terrible fire mowed down the troops faster than they could get on shore. He had himself scarcely sprung on dry ground when he received a wound in the thigh from a cannon ball, and was carried back to his skiff.

His men re-embarked in confusion.
Ships and boats made haste to get out of the bay, but did not succeed till 400 seamen and 700 to 800 soldiers had fallen. Many soldiers were trapped because the tide had turned and their boats were aground. 466 soldiers were made prisoners. The French only lost 45 killed and wounded.

Aftermath

The action was a complete disaster. Talmash died of his wounds on his return in Plymouth. The public grief and indignation for the treachery were loudly expressed.

Later historians have accused Marlborough of sending the "Camaret Bay letter" in May 1694, betraying the expedition to Brest to the French. This letter however only exists in a French translation and might very well be a forgery, destined to damage Marlborough's reputation. Fact|date=August 2008

Links

* [http://yarchive.net/macaulay/history/chapter_XX.html The History Of England from the Accession of James II. Chapter XX by Thomas Babington Macaulay.]
* [http://roscanvel.presquile-crozon.com/histoire/bataille-trez-rouz-gentil-quelern.htm French account of the attack]