In July 1809, the British landed an expeditionary force on the island of Walcheren. The aim of the campaign was to destroy the French fleet thought to be in Vlissingen, and block off the port of Antwerp. The French garrison at Vlissingen capitulated to the British on 15 August after the town was bombarded by the British navy, suffering heavy damage. However, the campaign was ultimately a failure and the British forces withdrew from Walcheren by the end of that year.