The "battle" of Fishguard,
the last invasion of Great Britain ...!


On February 22, 1797 - based on a proposal by the Revolutionary General Lazare Hoche ...



... near the Welsh town of Fishguard ...





... the last invasion of Great Britain to date took place during the First Coalition War!

1,400 French soldiers landed on four warships!





The troop is called "Légion noire", (the "black legion") ...





... is under the command of the Irish-American Colonel William Tate (who got the commando because of his knowledge of English) ...



... and is at best second rate - including around 600 French soldiers and 800 irregulars, including Republicans, deserters, convicts and former royal prisoners.

General Napoleon Bonaparte had not considered the soldiers worthy of being taken along on his Italian campaign.

The troops do not fight or conquer anything, but immediately begin to plunder extensively!



Hastily rallied British troops and local civilians are used by the British against the invaders!



Women also participate - with resounding success!




The traditional red clothing of the Fishguard women with their tall black hats - similar to a shako ...





... is so similar to the military uniforms of the British Army at a great distance that to the French at a distance it looks as if a large army is approaching.

The result is the "Légion Noire" - many of the soldiers are already incapable of fighting due to copious alcohol consumption during the looting ...:





The "Battle of Fishguard" is immortalized on a tapestry in the style of the "Bayeux Tapestry", which is exhibited today in Fishguard and from which several photos in this article are taken ...

Interesting stuff, Martin - however, the photo of the harbour is Solva, further round the coast, not Fishguard...

Spent some happy holidays in and around Fishguard. Didn't know of the tapestry though. Nice work as usual Martin

Phil