The order-of-battle comparison exposes a basic mismatch between Spanish aims and means. The Spanish fleet and headquarters operated from Algeciras, with major garrisons at Los Barrios and San Roque and batteries spread across the approaches, while Gibraltar's command was much more concentrated. The fortress held roughly 5,382 soldiers, Hanoverian battalions, artificers, sailors, marines, and specialist marksmen behind extensive works. Spain sent about 14,000 troops - enough to conduct a siege or blockade, but not the overwhelming ratio needed to storm a heavily defended position quickly. The watch point makes the campaign's delay look less like an accident than a consequence of force planning.
Notable Point · 1:18:38-1:24:08
Spain begins with too few troops for a rapid assault
A 5,000-strong prepared garrison, artificers, and specialist marksmen made Spain's 14,000 troops suitable for a blockade but inadequate for the quick storming operation its strategy required.