 When the combined Anglo-French fleet retired to Solebay near Southwold, Norfolk to replenish its water and provisions, De Ruyter took advantage of its disorder to make a surprise attack in it at the Battle of Solebay.The Duke of York led the English main and rear squadrons northwards against the main Dutch fleet but his French colleague d'Estrées, who either misunderstood the Duke's intentions or deliberately ignored them, took his van squadron southwards.There 30 French ships fought a separate encounter, engaging only in long-range fire with the 10 major and five small Dutch ships from the Admiralty of Zeeland, commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Banckert.