The French concentrated resources in a few strong positions and expected the invaders to approach along the obvious route. British troops instead used an alternate road while the fleet subjected the fort to overwhelming gunfire. The army could continue toward the city without first capturing a position whose four guns were badly outmatched by the ships offshore. The episode illustrates a core amphibious advantage: sea power can fix or suppress a coastal strongpoint without making its capture the army's immediate objective.
Notable Point · 44:09-45:15
Bypassing French forts while the fleet suppresses them
British troops avoid the fortified main road and move toward their objective while overwhelming naval fire contains the French defenses.