This week in history: 15th May 1760

Following a siege of over a fortnight, as the sun set on 15th May 1760, Quebec’s British defenders saw Commodore Colville appear with five Royal Navy ships. With no need to ration their ammunition any longer, the besieged troops rained artillery shells down on the French. As further British reinforcements arrived, the French supply ships were destroyed and they were chased from the surrounding areas. This firm hold on Quebec made it the perfect launch point for the Montreal Campaign that followed, which saw the last French presence in Canada defeated by September.