Battle of Anguilla

Information
''The Battle of Anguilla was a military conflict that occurred during The War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748). It was fought between The British Deputy Governor of Anguilla, Arthur Hodge and French Commodore Touché. For years, The British government had occupied most of caribbean islands. Anguilla was one of them and the French wanted it in their possession. At the start of the battle, The British Army was overwhelmingly outnumbered. Governor Hodge had only 150 troops commanded by him and Captain John McWard while the French had 760 soldiers and Marines.''

Assault
''At the time of the battle, a young Royal Navy Lieutenant, by the name of Thomas McWard, was fighting in his father's unit. In the late spring of 1744, Captain John McWard's platoon, were ordered by the Admiralty to take refuge at Anguilla in the Caribbean. ''

''Governor Arthur Hodge needed a third platoon in order to successfully defend his island from the French. McWard's crew arrived on the 18th of May and set up a defensive camp on the beach. They built a well hidden trench and covered it to make it look like bushes. In the early morning on May 21st, 1744, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines awoke to a French fleet attacking them. They were surrounded by two French warships and two Dutch vessels.  Lieutenant Thomas McWard took the helm and retreated their ship HMS Lynx away enemy and ported the vessel in a nearby bay. Realizing the French were forming an ambush, John McWard ordered his army of 22 to carefully advance to the trenches on the beach and circle around the ambush. During this action, John was shot in the leg by a French soldier. ''

''Thomas acted quickly and helped his wounded father and successfully carried him through the enemy fire onto a British lifeboat. Although they were heavily outnumbered, Thomas took his father's place in command and formed a successful counterattack causing the French to retreat back to their boats resulting in a British victory. Anguilla was Thomas McWard's first major battle to take command of. At the age of only 24, Royal Navy Lieutenant Thomas McWard had made a name for himself saving not only his father, but the British troops as well. ''

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