27th Inniskillings, Capture of Havana, Cuba.

Morro Castle (Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro), Havana

When Britain declared war on Spain in January 1762*, the Earl of Albemarle was appointed to command an expedition of 12,000 men against the Spanish city of Havana, Cuba. The whole force assembled off Fort Royal, Martinique, on 5 May 1762

The expedition arrived at Havana on 6 June 1762. While the Royal Navy blockaded the channel to contain the Spanish fleet in the harbour, the army landed on the following day east of the city; the enemy garrison was comprised of some 4,000 regular troops, 9,000 sailors and 14,000 militia. The key defensive feature was El Morro, the great fortress on the north side of the channel with most of its artillery covering the channel and bay. It was also overlooked by the poorly defended heights of La Cabana.

The British troops advanced on 8 June and within three days had captured a port and by 11 June, the heights of Cabana overlooking Fort Morro and the harbour. Siege batteries were then constructed on La Cabana and their mortars opened fire on 22 June. This enabled the construction of siege breastworks that were then advanced towards the fortress. A Spanish raid against the British siege on 29 June failed.

The Inniskillings were in the Second Brigade commanded by Major General H Walsh and the Spanish would eventually surrender on 15 August. The 27th (Inniskillings) would suffer one officer and 15 men killed, but an almost equal number to disease - one officer and 13 men.

The Battle Honour HAVANNAH would be awarded to the 27th Inniskillings.

*The Anglo-Portuguese Treaty.

During the Seven Years’ War, Spain first invaded Portugal in May 1762. Britain assisted Portugal under the terms of an alliance treaty first signed as the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty on 13 June 1373. It has been confirmed and reinforced through the centuries since, for example the Treaty of Windsor 1387, and is still the longest running active alliance in history. It was last invoked during the Falklands War when facilities in the Azores were offered for use by the Royal Navy.