Martello towers were not powerful fortresses, but their tactical value came from delay and target selection. French infantry could probably take them eventually, yet doing so might require landing heavy artillery, setting it up, and conducting a bombardment. Until then, the towers could continue firing at the most vulnerable part of the operation: the boats bringing troops and supplies ashore. Their importance therefore lies less in defeating the invasion army than in imposing time and friction on an already fragile sea-based logistics system. Even modest fixed defenses could impose delays out of proportion to their size.
Notable Point · 13:45-15:00
Martello towers threaten the landing's supply boats
Small coastal forts need not stop Napoleon's army outright if they delay the landing and keep their guns trained on boats carrying men and supplies.