The action at Sadras lasted from roughly 3:30 p.m. until night and never became the decisive battle Suffren wanted. Several captains failed to press the fight, leaving him to chastise their lack of engagement. Yet the troop convoy reached its destination, and Suffren was able to meet Hyder Ali of Mysore. The episode separates an inconclusive gunnery result from the successful operational purpose of covering the landing.
Notable Point · 23:19-24:13
Sadras: limited gunnery, successful convoy
A desultory late-afternoon exchange falls short of Suffren's tactical hopes, yet the troop convoy lands and preserves the French strategic initiative.