The French captain had in fact thwarted Host’s plan to complete his mission as he had suffered so many casualties that having supplied a prize crew for the French ship, he felt undermanned to face further action and so withdrew back to the main squadron under the command of Commodore Freemantle based at Lissa.
BUTCHER’S BILL.
The action had been as Wellington would later say of Waterloo, “A damned near run thing”. Nevertheless Hoste will return.
WATCH THIS SPACE.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks