Invasion of Isle de France

Invasion of Isle de France
Part of the Napoleonic Wars

The taking of the Isle of France, 2 December 1810
Date29 November – 3 December 1810
Location20°09′S 57°31′E / 20.15°S 57.51°E / -20.15; 57.51
Result British victory
Territorial
changes
Isle de France ceded to the United Kingdom as Mauritius (1814)
Belligerents
 United Kingdom  France
Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Albemarle Bertie
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland John Abercromby
First French Empire Charles Decaen Surrendered
First French Empire Edmé-Martin Vandermaesen Surrendered
First French Empire Jean Dornal de Guy Surrendered
Strength
6,848 soldiers, sailors and Royal Marines
1 ship of the line
12 frigates
5 brigs
50 small vessels/troops transports
1,300 regulars
10,000 militia
6 frigates
3 brigs
1 smaller vessel
Casualties and losses
28 killed
94 wounded
45 missing
Isle de France and all military stores captured
Invasion of Isle de France is located in Indian Ocean
Invasion of Isle de France
Location within Indian Ocean

The Invasion of Isle de France was a complicated but successful British amphibious operation in the Indian Ocean, launched in November 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. During the operation, a substantial military force was landed by the Royal Navy at Grand Baie, on the French colony of Isle de France (now Mauritius). Marching inland against weak French opposition, the British force was able to overwhelm the defenders in a series of minor engagements, culminating in the capture of the island's capital Port Napoleon and the surrender of Charles Decaen, the French governor. The surrender eliminated the last French territory in the Indian Ocean and among the military equipment captured were five French Navy frigates and 209 heavy cannon. Isle de France was retained by Britain at the end of the war under the name of Mauritius and remained part of the British Empire until 1968.