Affleck turns one breach into three French sections

Affleck had no explicit order to cross, but Bedford exploited the opening in front of her. Once through, the clearing smoke revealed no target on the starboard side, so Affleck continued along the enemy formation rather than disengaging. Prince William, Magnificent, and other British ships followed and brought additional fire into the gap. Their movement split the French line into three sections and exposed Caesar and Hector to repeated punishment from the red squadron. The episode shows local initiative reinforcing Rodney's breakthrough without waiting for a new signal.