The conquest of the Azores as a combined operation

Control of the Azores was essential to completing Philip II's victory in the Portuguese succession because the islands remained the principal position held for the rival claimant António, Prior of Crato. Bazán brought a force of about ninety-six warships and nearly twelve thousand troops, landed an advance force before dawn, and used galley gunfire to silence Fort Santa Catarina. The flagship came under close fire and lost its coxswain, leaving Bazán exposed during the approach. Once ashore, he personally organized the army into supporting lines and fed fresh troops into the fighting until the Franco-Portuguese defense collapsed. His command extended from the fleet and landing to the detailed conduct of the battle ashore.