 Complete the following phrase:  As war in Europe appeared increasingly inevitable, the Newcastle government sought to take the initiativeand make sure that the strategic island of Menorca historically called Minorca by the British was secured before it fell into French hands. A relief expedition was dispatched under Admiral John Byng to save it. However, once he arrived in the Mediterranean Byng found a sizable French fleet and a 15,000-strong army besieging the fortress. After fighting an 