Lord Anson chose Rodney for the 1762 expedition because earlier amphibious experience had shown he could support a determined land commander. General Robert Monckton landed about 8,000 troops without losing a man, built batteries to suppress French defences, and repeatedly attacked after securing his logistics and artillery. Rodney supplied naval gunfire and additional guns ashore. Martinique fell by 12 February after British losses of a little over one hundred killed or wounded. The force then took St Lucia, Grenada, and St Vincent in roughly a week. The Treaty of Paris later returned Martinique to France, showing how a negotiated settlement could reverse territorial gains won in a successful campaign.
Chapter · 1:35:24-1:48:19
Rodney and Monckton capture Martinique
An aggressive, well-matched army-navy command team landed without loss, reduced French positions, and captured Martinique before rapidly taking three more islands.