Battle of Minorca (1756)

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Battle of Minorca
Part of the Seven Years' War
The departure of the French squadron on 10 April 1756 for the attack against Port Mahon, by Nicolas Ozanne
Date 20 May 1756 Location Mediterranean Sea, near Minorca, present-day Spain Result French victory[1][2]
Belligerents
France	Great Britain
Commanders and leaders
Marquis de la Galissonnière	John Byng
Strength
12 ships of the line 5 frigates	12 ships of the line 7 frigates
Casualties and losses
38 killed 184 wounded	Half the fleet damaged 45 killed 162 wounded

The Battle of Minorca (20 May 1756) was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after the war began British and French squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca. The French won the battle. The subsequent decision by the British to withdraw to Gibraltar handed France a strategic victory and led directly to the Fall of Minorca.

The British failure to save Minorca led to the controversial court-martial and execution of the British commander, Admiral John Byng, for "failure to do his utmost" to relieve the siege of the British garrison on Minorca.^[3]