French yards built hundreds of flat-bottomed invasion craft, with about 325 transports assembled by mid-summer 1759. Roughly 48,000 troops were ready for the operation, far below the original plan for 100,000. Embarkation drills reportedly put troops aboard in seven minutes, which answered part of the need for a rapid Channel crossing. The same crowded transport plan left little room for supplies, making speed at departure a poor substitute for a sustainable campaign after landing.
Notable Point · 1:23:29-1:24:39
Fast embarkation left little room for invasion supplies
France assembled about 325 flat-bottomed transports and could embark troops in seven minutes, but carrying 48,000 soldiers left little capacity for supplies.