"In April 1756, when a large French amphibious expedition proceeded to the invasion of the Island of Minorca, General Blakeney, the governor of the island, retired to Fort St. Philip with his four infantry regiments (4th, 23rd, 24th and 34th). Fort St. Philip, which commanded the town and harbour of Mahon, was probably the most elaborate fortress possessed by the British, and was inferior in strength to few strongholds in Europe. In addition to the ordinary elaborations of the school of Vauban, it was strengthened by numerous mines and galleries hewn out of the solid rock, affording unusual protection to the defenders.
On April 18, the French landed unopposed at Ciutadella, at the northwestern end of Minorca. By April 20, the entire French army had disembarked.
On April 22, a French advanced party took possession of Mahon without meeting any resistance, Blakeney having already retired into Fort St. Philip. M. Raulin de Belval, lieutenant-colonel of Royal Italien Infanterie, was immediately appointed commander of Mahon…"
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paints brigs for the British fleet.
