Battle of Ushant

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Several naval battles between the British and French navies have been named after the island of Ushant (or Ouessant in French) off the western tip Brittany, partly because it is close to the French naval base of Brest and partly because, like Finisterre and Cape St. Vincent, it is simply the nearest piece of land to many hundred miles of ocean. At least three battles have been called the Battle of Ushant:

• The First Battle of Ushant, July 27, 1778, fought 100 miles west of Ushant, was a large but inconclusive engagement in the American War of Independence.
• The Second Battle of Ushant, December 12, 1781, was a convoy battle, also during the American War of Independence. This battle is recognized by the Royal Navy battle honour.
• The Third Battle of Ushant, May 28 to June 1, 1794, fought 400 miles west of Ushant, is better known as the Battle of the Glorious First of June.

Three ships fought in all three of these battles: the French Bretagne (later Révolutionnaire) and the British Queen and Valiant.

• The Battle of Ushant was also a battle in World War II, on June 9, 1944, among the British, Canadian and Polish destroyers of the 10th Flotilla and the German destroyers of the 8th Narvik Flotilla, won by the allies.