The Glorious First of June

Today is the 227th anniversary of the naval battle West of Ushant, more usually known as the Glorious First of June.

One of the very, very few battles in history where both sides met their victory conditions: the Royal Navy fought to damage the French fleet, and succeeded, while the French fought to get a grain convey through to France where the populace was starving, and the convoy did get through.  

The British commander was Admiral Richard Howe, first Earl Howe: this is a contemporary painting of him on the deck of his flagship HMS Queen Charlotte during the battle.



 


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