Invasion of Isle de France
The Invasion of Isle de France was a complicated but successful British amphibious operation in the Indian Ocean, launched in November 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. During the operation, a substantial military force was landed by the Royal Navy at Grand Baie, on the French colony of Isle de France (now Mauritius). Marching inland against weak French opposition, the British force was able to overwhelm the defenders in a series of minor engagements, culminating in the capture of the island's capital Port Napoleon and the surrender of Charles Decaen, the French governor. The surrender eliminated the last French territory in the Indian Ocean and among the military equipment captured were five French Navy frigates and 209 heavy cannon. Isle de France was retained by Britain at the end of the war under the name of Mauritius and remained part of the British Empire until 1968.
| Invasion of Isle de France | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Napoleonic Wars | |||||||||
The taking of the Isle of France, 2 December 1810 | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
| United Kingdom | France | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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Albemarle Bertie John Abercromby |
Charles Decaen Edmé-Martin Vandermaesen Jean Dornal de Guy | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
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6,848 soldiers, sailors and Royal Marines 1 ship of the line 12 frigates 5 brigs 50 small vessels/troops transports |
1,300 regulars 10,000 militia 6 frigates 3 brigs 1 smaller vessel | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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28 killed 94 wounded 45 missing | Isle de France and all military stores captured | ||||||||