In what battle did the British not complete their objective of capturing Washington?

The Battle of Bladensburg is recognized as a significant event during the War of 1812, particularly concerning the British campaign to capture Washington, D.C. The battle took place on August 24, 1814, and involved British forces attempting to overtake the American defensive positions at Bladensburg, Maryland, just outside the capital.

During the engagement, while the British forces were ultimately able to advance and capture Washington, the American troops, composed of poorly trained militia, put up a stronger resistance than anticipated, which delayed the British and allowed many government officials and citizens time to evacuate the capital. Thus, although the British technically captured Washington, the objective of a swift and decisive victory was not achieved due to the unexpected opposition at Bladensburg.

In contrast, the other battles presented—Wake Island, Tarawa, and Belleau Wood—were pivotal encounters in different conflicts and did not have direct implications for the British objectives related to Washington, making them irrelevant to the specific query regarding that objective.