Battle
On 25 July, the Turks were on the defensive and relied on a strong redoubt between their lines and the sea. The British, too far from shore because of shallow waters, could not use their artillery against the French. Bonaparte established his artillery on the heights, but his launch of a first attack was a failure because Desaix stalled and Murat dared not to overload as he saw the shot that struck above his head.
Then the Ottomans fell; Pasha attacked the fort with his men and cut the heads of French soldiers killed. Rage seized the French, who without orders, rushed into the enemy ranks. Murat with his cavalry, operate a turning movement and then he completes the operation by loading so quickly that it passes through all the enemy lines and leads him behind the town, cutting off the retreat of Mustapha Pasha whom he captured in a single combat.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Turkish army drowned while trying to regain the vessel. 3000 Ottomans succeeded in taking refuge in the fort, but they surrender, overcome by thirst and hunger.
Murat was promoted to the General rank of the evening division. It is not the only one who performs miracles: Colonel Bertrand, twice wounded in battle, is startled when Bonaparte ordered to take charge of 25 men and the rabble, by being designated a column a thousand riders Mamluks.
Read more about this topic: Battle Of Abukir (1799)
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