1 00:00:02,290 --> 00:00:06,929 It's 2 o'clock, breaking news, Britain is losing control in North America. 2 00:00:10,150 --> 00:00:15,550 Good afternoon, you're listening to the main news in Eurovoice, the radio of the linemen. 3 00:00:15,730 --> 00:00:20,170 Today, October 9th, 1781, Spanish forces are attacking Pensacola. 4 00:00:20,350 --> 00:00:26,390 I repeat, Spanish forces are attacking Pensacola, the most important British base in West Florida. 5 00:00:26,390 --> 00:00:29,489 This is a key moment in the American war of independence. 6 00:00:29,489 --> 00:00:33,649 If Pensacola falls, Britain loses the South and the world changes completely. 7 00:00:33,829 --> 00:00:38,729 The operation is being led by Fernando de Galvez, governor of Spain's Luciano. 8 00:00:38,750 --> 00:00:45,530 For the latest developments, we go live to Pensacola, where our correspondent is going to exclusively tell us what he sees. 9 00:00:45,710 --> 00:00:47,250 Javi, what's the situation? 10 00:00:48,189 --> 00:00:51,630 Thank you, Rodrigo. The situation here is extremely tense. 11 00:00:51,630 --> 00:00:59,630 Early this morning, Spanish ships entered Pensacola Bay under heavy British fire, smoke, explosions and chaos everywhere. 12 00:01:00,450 --> 00:01:01,710 And now, attention to this. 13 00:01:01,950 --> 00:01:05,549 Bernardo de Galvez advanced alone when other ships hesitated. 14 00:01:06,230 --> 00:01:08,010 His decision changed the battle. 15 00:01:08,670 --> 00:01:13,829 Shortly after a British ammunition magazine exploded, destroying part of their defences, 16 00:01:14,269 --> 00:01:18,849 Spanish troops then advanced on land and British lines began to collapse. 17 00:01:19,189 --> 00:01:22,370 Pensacola is now very close to falling into Spanish hands. 18 00:01:22,849 --> 00:01:26,310 Rodrigo, this is a turning point. I send it back to the studio. 19 00:01:26,670 --> 00:01:30,209 Thank you, Javi. Incredible reports from Pensacola. 20 00:01:30,409 --> 00:01:35,409 Now these words that you are going to hear are from the commander leading today's operation. 21 00:01:35,590 --> 00:01:37,629 Bernardo de Galvez has spoken. 22 00:01:37,629 --> 00:01:43,590 Today Pensacola matters. These actions weaken Britain and bring America closer to independence. 23 00:01:44,189 --> 00:01:47,930 Oh my God. A decisive message on a decisive day. 24 00:01:47,930 --> 00:01:52,590 But the key question now is, what does this victory mean for the war as a whole? 25 00:01:52,730 --> 00:01:55,730 To answer this question, we now turn to our analyst. 26 00:01:56,230 --> 00:01:57,629 Ángel, what do you think? 27 00:01:57,849 --> 00:01:59,769 It's absolutely decisive. 28 00:02:00,129 --> 00:02:03,090 Pensacola was Britain's main base in the Gulf of Mexico. 29 00:02:03,609 --> 00:02:07,810 Losing it means losing supplies, territory and control of the southern region. 30 00:02:08,389 --> 00:02:10,830 Britain is now under pressure of multiple fronts. 31 00:02:11,310 --> 00:02:14,370 Spain may not be fighting directly inside the 13 colonies, 32 00:02:14,370 --> 00:02:18,969 but by wicking Britons here, is making American independence possible. 33 00:02:19,430 --> 00:02:21,710 This battle changes the balance of the war. 34 00:02:21,909 --> 00:02:26,789 Okay, Ángel. Before moving on, I'm going to hand things over to Javi, 35 00:02:27,009 --> 00:02:32,990 who is going to interview Rick Mon, a Pensacola resident who is suffering the consequences of the war. 36 00:02:33,349 --> 00:02:39,789 Thanks, Rodrigo. I'm here in the streets of Pensacola to hear directly from the people affected by the fighting. 37 00:02:40,270 --> 00:02:42,810 Rickmon, you live here all your life. 38 00:02:43,270 --> 00:02:44,689 What are you seeing today? 39 00:02:44,930 --> 00:02:47,210 Oh, fear. Fear is all I see. 40 00:02:47,770 --> 00:02:50,169 The streets are empty, houses are damaged, 41 00:02:50,509 --> 00:02:53,490 and every explosion makes people think it's their last night alive. 42 00:02:53,689 --> 00:02:56,949 And what is the hardest part for you and your family? 43 00:02:57,469 --> 00:02:59,969 Waiting. Waiting in silence, in the dark. 44 00:03:00,409 --> 00:03:02,610 Not knowing if the next blast will hit your home. 45 00:03:03,289 --> 00:03:05,409 War turns ordinary people into shadows. 46 00:03:05,409 --> 00:03:07,110 Thank you so much, Rickmon. 47 00:03:07,110 --> 00:03:10,729 Your story really shows the human cost of this battle. 48 00:03:11,150 --> 00:03:12,229 Back to you, Rodrigo. 49 00:03:12,370 --> 00:03:13,909 Wow, thank you, Javi. 50 00:03:14,169 --> 00:03:17,629 It's spooky to hear the situation from the people themselves. 51 00:03:18,169 --> 00:03:20,389 And that's not the only major story today. 52 00:03:20,789 --> 00:03:22,830 While Spanish troops fight on the battlefield, 53 00:03:23,330 --> 00:03:26,330 Spain is also supporting the American army financially. 54 00:03:26,750 --> 00:03:29,530 Behind all this effort is Francisco de Saavedra, 55 00:03:29,969 --> 00:03:35,030 Spain's official envoy coordinating shipments and funds for New Spain. 56 00:03:35,310 --> 00:03:36,169 Analyst Ángel. 57 00:03:36,169 --> 00:03:37,629 What is he doing exactly? 58 00:03:38,210 --> 00:03:44,189 Francisco Saavedra is personally overseeing the delivery of Spanish silver and supplies to the American forces. 59 00:03:44,710 --> 00:03:48,310 This includes money to pay soldiers, weapons, uniforms and food. 60 00:03:48,870 --> 00:03:55,509 These shipments are arriving just in time to support the coming battles, including the decisive actions at Yacht Town. 61 00:03:56,009 --> 00:03:59,409 His work is largely secret, but absolutely vital. 62 00:03:59,530 --> 00:04:00,669 What can you add, Javi? 63 00:04:00,669 --> 00:04:08,969 Yes, Rodrigo. It's important to say that when we look at both stories together, we see the point, the balance of Spain's provisional victory. 64 00:04:09,349 --> 00:04:18,389 They are fighting on two fronts, Bernardo de Galvez in Pensacola and Francisco de Saavedra behind the scenes, making sure the army is funding an equip. 65 00:04:18,550 --> 00:04:23,550 Without this combination, American independence would have been much harder to achieve. 66 00:04:23,910 --> 00:04:29,209 Saavedra's role proves that Spain's contribution goes far beyond the battlefield. 67 00:04:29,209 --> 00:04:33,209 And before we close, let's see how people reacted worldwide. 68 00:04:33,209 --> 00:04:35,209 Reactions had not been long in coming. 69 00:04:35,209 --> 00:04:38,209 In Spain and France, pamphlets celebrate British setbacks. 70 00:04:38,209 --> 00:04:41,209 While in Britain, the tone is defensive and anxious. 71 00:04:41,209 --> 00:04:44,209 Public opinion is becoming another front of the war. 72 00:04:44,209 --> 00:04:50,740 One day, two fronts, one conclusion. 73 00:04:50,740 --> 00:04:55,740 October 9th, 1781 is the day Spain passes history forward. 74 00:04:55,740 --> 00:04:58,740 That's all for now. You have been listening to EuroVoice.