August 1–2, 1798 · Mediterranean / Egypt Theater
August 1–2, 1798
Napoleon had landed his army in Egypt to threaten British India, leaving his fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay. Nelson hunted the French fleet for months before finding it at anchor in the shallow bay. In a stroke of tactical genius, Captain Foley realized that if the French ships had swung at anchor, there must be water deep enough on their landward side — he led half the British fleet between the French fleet and the shore. The French were attacked from both sides simultaneously, their landward guns unmanned. Admiral Brueys was cut in half by a cannonball. The French flagship L'Orient exploded with a blast heard miles away. Of 17 French ships, 11 were captured or destroyed.
Commanders