The French artillery open fire on a…
August 1854 CE
Defenders find their position to be hopeless and withdraw the bulk of their forces to the main fort, leaving only small detachment behind to supervise demolition of the tower.
While French troops manage to capture the tower before it is demolished, it does not save the tower, as the Russian artillery now opens fire on the captured tower and on August 15 score a hit to the gunpowder magazines.
The resulting explosion demolished the tower.
The second tower, Notvik, is also lost on August 15 after British guns open fire from their hill opposite to the tower.
After eight hours of bombardment they manage to create a gaping hole to the fort.
After most of the guns had been lost commandant of the tower surrendered to the British and French forces.
The bombardment of the main fortress starts late on August 15 with land based guns and the navy opening fire.
With only a few guns capable of firing in the direction of the bombarding ships, the Russian forces hope for the French and British forces to attack over land.
However, after the bombardment continues into August 16 without any indication of landings, it becomes apparent to the Russian commander that British and French intend to reduce the fortress with artillery fire.
As the situation appears hopeless, Bomarsund surrenders on August 16.
The early surrender comes as a surprise to the French and British.
Two thousand men lay down their arms and become prisoners.
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