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The Calvary Charge That Captured A Fleet
A lesson on bias and embellishment
On the 23rd of January, 1795, a rare instance in military history occurred in the icy waters of the North Sea. A battalion of French cavalry troops managed to force the surrender and capture of a large contingent of Dutch military ships who were at anchor. This was a remarkable feat for a few reasons. First, the French used no naval assets of their own, they were completely land based. Second, it resulted in the capture of fourteen Dutch warships including five ships of the line, a pricey haul. Lastly, this was all done without a single casualty.
This was an important event in the War of the First Coalition which would set up future clashes between the upstart French and the Dutch in Northern Europe.
So how did such an unlikely event unfold?
It depends on who you ask.
The facts
Depending on whose side of the story you take, this event has wildly different details but there are a few things that are agreed upon.
Date: January 23rd, 1795
Location: The straights between Den Helder and Texel
Outcome: Fourteen Dutch warships captured
