FRENCH INVASION OF MALTA On 10 June, the French assaulted four locations simultaneously: Jean Urbain Fugière and Jean Reynier directed the assault on 1 Gozo. They landed at Irdum il-Kbir and notwithstanding the Gozitan’s fierce offensive, the Citadel, Fort Chambray and the other fortifications were in French hands by nightfall. Onwards to Malta Louis Baraguey d’Hilliers headed the landing in St Paul’s Bay. The Maltese By early 1798, the French Republic controlled most of offered some resistance but were quickly overtaken. The French central Europe. The only European kingdom that advanced to capture all the fortifications in northern Malta. challenged its supremacy was Great Britain, but the 2 French were unable to mount a direct confrontation. The British Navy guarding the English Channel was practically impenetrable and the only way to bring Great Britain down to its knees was to disrupt the trade route, via Egypt, to the economically vital colony of India. The command of this campaign was assigned to Napoleon Claude-Henri Belgrand de Vaubois directed the landing at St Julian’s. Bonaparte who assembled over 40,000 soldiers and a huge The Order deployed some vessels to attempt a pushback, but the French 3 succeeded to land six battalions. Likewise, the defenders stationed in the fleet in the port city of Toulon. They set sail on 19 May and Desaix and de Vaubois’ men marched respective strongholds retreated to Valletta. headed to Malta before proceeding to Egypt. Control of towards Valletta and the Three Cities. The Malta ensured dominance in the central Mediterranean. Order launched a counter-attack but the French emerged victorious. The defenders On 6 June, the French fleet was sighted off Gozo. The Order hurried back inside the walls, while the called to action all soldiers and militia members to stop the French occupied the surrounding environs. French from setting foot on Malta and Gozo. Meanwhile, the French asked to replenish their water supplies, however the Order granted entry to four vessels at a time only. In retaliation, Napoleon launched a forceful invasion. Voubois, then, shifted his attention to Mdina, where a large number of the Militia had retreated. Fully conscious End of an era of their meagre odds, the defenders capitulated immediately. Enclosed within the strong walls of Valletta, Floriana and the Three Cities, the Knights fought the French assaults and strove to contain the widespread infighting. The situation was not tenable and within 3 days, the Order surrendered all fortifications and ceded sovereignty of Louis Desaix commanded the landing at the Maltese Islands to the French. Marsaxlokk Bay. St Lucian’s Tower offered 4 offensive but was soon overpowered. On seeing this, the defenders of the nearby strongholds ran off and the French landed © 2021 Publishing the bulk of their forces unopposed. .