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Title
To Admiral Vernon, the scourge of Spain
Description
Battle of Cartagena de Indias
Subject
Source
Publisher
Date
1741-04-20
Scenario#
SP01
Location
Cartagena, Colombia
Battle Name
Battle Narrative
The Battle of Cartagena de Indias took place during the 1739 to 1748 War of Jenkins' Ear between Spain and Britain. The result of long-standing commercial tensions, the war was primarily fought in the Caribbean; the British tried to capture key Spanish ports in the region, including Porto Bello and Chagres in Panama, Havana, and Cartagena de Indias in present-day Colombia. Two previous naval attacks failed in 1740, while the third attempt in March 1741 was a combined naval and land assault. The British were initially successful; capturing and destroying a series of powerful forts in the narrow channel of Boca chica. However they were eventually forced to retreat, having lost over 9,500–11,500 men, the majority from yellow fever. Some units suffered death rates of 80 to 90 percent. The victory demonstrated Spain's ability to defend its position and largely ended military operations in this area. Both countries shifted their focus to the wider European War of the Austrian Succession and hostilities ended with the 1748 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.
Narrative Source
Wikipedia: Battle of Cartagena de Indias
External Link
Combatants
Great Britain
Spain
Additional Information
War of Jenkins' Ear
Collection: