The battle occurred when a French force of nearly 5,000 men under General François Lanusse, counter-attacked the British advance towards the defences of Alexandria. After hard fighting, the outnumbered French troops where thrown back in confusion. The British 90th and 92nd Regiments of Foot, who had borne the brunt of the fighting, were awarded the battle honour "Mandora". Eight days later, the French made a further unsuccessful attempt to halt the British at the Battle of Alexandria. The Mandora Barracks (built 1895, demolished 1970) at Aldershot in Hampshire were named after this action.