<P> The new government's strategic thinking was sharply divided . Pitt had been a long - term advocate of Britain playing as small a role on the European continent while concentrating their resources and naval power to strike against vulnerable French colonies . Newcastle remained an old - school continentalist--who believed that the war would be decided in Europe, and was convinced that a strong British presence there was essential . He was supported in this view by George II . </P> <P> A compromise was eventually established in which Britain would keep troops on the European continent under the command of the Duke of Brunswick, while Pitt was given authority to launch several colonial expeditions . He sent forces to attack French settlements in West Africa and the West Indies, operations which were tactically successful and brought financial benefits . In Britain a popular surge of patriotism and support for the government resulted . Pitt formed a triumvirate to direct operations with George Anson in command of the navy and John Ligonier in charge of the army . A Militia Act was passed to create a sizable force to defend Britain which would free up regular troops for operations overseas . </P> <P> The British had received several requests from their German allies to try to relieve the pressure on them by launching diversionary operations against the French . Pitt had long been an advocate of amphibious strikes or "descents" against the French coastline in which a small British force would land, capture a settlement, destroy its fortifications and munitions supplies and then withdraw . This would compel the French to withdraw troops from the Northern front to guard the coast . </P> <P> After an urgent request from Brunswick, Pitt was able to put his plan into action, and in September 1757 a British raid was launched against Rochefort in western France . For various reasons it was not a success, but Pitt was determined to press ahead with similar raids . Another British expedition was organised under Lord Sackville . A landing in Saint - Malo was partially successful, but was cut short by the sudden appearance of French troops--and the force withdrew to Britain . Pitt organised a third major descent, under the command of Thomas Bligh . His raid on Cherbourg in August 1758 proved to be the most successful of the descents, as he burnt ships and munitions and destroyed the fortifications of the town . However, an attempt in September to do the same at St Malo ended with the Battle of Saint Cast and the British withdrawing with heavy casualties . This proved to be the last of the major landings attempted on the French coast--though the British later took control of the Belle Île off the coast of Brittany which was used as a base for marshalling troops and supplies . The raids were not financially successful and were described by Henry Fox as being "like breaking windows with guineas". From then on the British concentrated their efforts in Europe on Germany . </P>

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