Contemporary British regiments defending Gibraltar show that the difference from Boston was not national military character. A garrison never much above 7,500 men and twelve gunboats held against forces given as roughly 65,000 for more than three years. Fortifications and continued access to the sea allowed relief and resupply, while General George Augustus Eliott and chief engineer Sir William Green supplied capable leadership. Lord Sandwich's choice of professionals who placed the national interest above personal rivalry sharpens the contrast with Germain's American command system. At Gibraltar, naval access mattered because the landward position and command arrangements were ready to exploit it.
Notable Point · 1:17:25-1:22:37
Gibraltar shows what prepared siege defence could achieve
At Gibraltar, professional leaders, prepared fortifications, and secure naval access sustained a much smaller garrison for more than three years.