BATTLES

 Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

A Revolutionary War Fight in… Spain?

Friends can be a crucial asset, especially during times of conflict. This was evident for the Americans in the Great Siege of Gibraltar. The battle was a significant event during the American War of Independence—and American involvement was completely absent. In the 1770s, Spain and France joined forces to seize Gibraltar from Britain. To do so, they disguised their actions as supporting the American Revolution.

 Secretly, they didn’t care much for our revolution. Instead, capturing Gibraltar was a crucial step toward their ultimate goal of invading Britain.However, Britain had recognized the strategic value of Gibraltar, too. So they had dedicated considerable time and resources to fortifying its defenses long before the attack began. When Spain and France blockaded the region in 1779, the British were well-prepared to fight. They had ample supplies that even surpassed the expectations of their adversaries.Despite facing overwhelming odds—including over 40,000 French and Spanish soldiers—a mere 7,000 British infantrymen valiantly defended Gibraltar. 

That war waged on for three years and seven months. But after precious little progress each way, finally, a truce was reached. The exact losses suffered by the Allied forces remain unknown. However, the British incurred just 333 casualties in battle and 536 due to diseases over that nearly half-decade period.Ultimately, this protracted conflict exemplified the power of resilience and effective defensive measures. It also showcased the vital role of allies in combat scenarios. And it was (technically) a battle begun by the American Revolution—even though it took place thousands of miles away and without any Americans participating!

And as always have a chilled day from the VIking