The Walcheren Campaign was a costly British failure in 1809, losing over 4,000 troops mainly to disease while failing to threaten France via the Scheldt.
Key Facts
- British expeditionary force
- 39,000 troops
- British total deaths
- over 4,000
- Killed in action (British)
- 106
- Franco-Dutch casualties
- 4,000 dead, wounded, or captured
- Landing date
- 30 July 1809
- British withdrawal date
- 9 December 1809
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the War of the Fifth Coalition, Austria sought to open a second front against France. Britain responded by planning an expedition to seize Flushing and Antwerp, thereby threatening France along the Scheldt River and relieving pressure on Austria.
A British force of 39,000 landed at Walcheren on 30 July 1809 under Lord Chatham. Despite initial local successes, slow and indecisive leadership, combined with Marshal Bernadotte concentrating up to 40,000 French troops at Antwerp, stalled the campaign. Disease known as Walcheren Fever devastated the army far more than combat.
The expedition achieved none of its objectives. Over 4,000 British troops died, the vast majority from sickness rather than battle. The survivors withdrew on 9 December 1809, leaving Britain with significant financial and human losses and no strategic gain against France.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
John Pitt, 2nd Earl of Chatham.
Side B
1 belligerent
Marshal Bernadotte, Marshal Bessières.