Above the formed defenders, local women moved in orderly groups wearing traditional red shawls and tall Welsh hats. From the French position, their hats and red garments resembled British infantry uniforms. The apparent second line of troops amplified the militia and naval contingent below. The French estimated that they faced two or three times their own effective strength of about 600 men. The deception depended on what the French believed they could see across the battlefield.
Notable Point · 2:17:40-2:19:24
Welsh dress amplifies the British show of force
Local women in red shawls and tall hats resembled another line of troops, contributing to a French estimate of being outnumbered two or three to one.