For King and Country (Great Britain AAR) [Updated: November 10, 2015]

[IneptCmdr]

As the world enters into the 18th century, the ambitious Great Britain sets out to build an empire. From India in the east, to America in the west, and across the oceans, the British forces struggle to secure the rich resources of these far away lands. This After Action Report follows the armies and navies, and the men who command them, as they fight their way through glorious victories and shameful defeats.

First place in MAARC XLVII | Second place in MAARC L | Reviewed in The Critic's Quill: Issue 41 | Best Battle Descriptions & Staff Choice in Writers' Study Yearly Awards 2014 | Second place in MAARC LIX

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Settings & Rules

> DarthMod 8.0.1
> Grand Campaign (World Domination)
> Hard/Hard Difficulty
> 4 Turns/Year

> Battles will be fought according to the personalities chosen for the commanding officers.
> New units must be raised in Europe unless they are special ones such as sepoys or native American troops.
> Existing units can only be replenished when and where it would be realistic to do so, for example near a friendly port.
> Generals and admirals will hold ranks based on the number of command stars they have:

1-3 Brigadier General / Commodore
4-5 Major General / Rear Admiral
6-7 Lieutenant General / Vice Admiral
8-X General / Admiral

> Update: From 1720, the option No Forts will be activated.
> Update: From 1729, battle difficulty will be changed to Very Hard.

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Characters & Events

History does not happen by itself. It is the result of the doings of kings and queens, emperors and statesmen, officers and soldiers. This section lists those individuals who have had an impact on the history of Great Britain, the fighting men who have made their actions possible, and the conflicts in which they took part.

Characters

John Leake (1656 - 1705) Leake was an officer in the Royal Navy, holding the rank of Vice Admiral. As one of the most experienced naval commanders at the time, he led his fleet to victory against the French at the Battle of Rotterdam in 1703. Two years later, he once again triumphed over the French at the Battle of Plymouth Bay, but died shortly after from wounds sustained during the engagement. His flagship, HMS Hector, had been damaged beyond repair and was scuttled in the bay. Timothy Sutton (1675 - 1708) Brigadier General Sutton was given command of the British 3rd Army in 1706, during the height of the Anglo-French Colonial War. After being sent to America, he successfully recaptured Maine by winning the Battle of Falmouth in early 1707. Soon after, he marched for Albany, New York, and forced the outnumbered garrison to surrender. Not one to sit about idle, Sutton kept patroling the area throughout the year. In late winter, he intercepted and promptly defeated a French army heading for Boston. Shortly before the outbreak of the First Anglo-Spanish War in 1708, Sutton was murdered by an unknown assassin. George Rooke (1650 - 1710) After the death of John Leake at the Battle of Plymouth Bay, Rear Admiral George Rooke was placed in command of the British fleet in America. He spent the next few years dealing with pirate ships until his failing health forced him to seek medical attention at a hospital in Port Royal. With the Admiral incapacitated, the fleet remained anchored at Kingston. Due to poor maintenance and a disillusioned crew, the fleet was in a general poor state when orders arrived to return to Europe and remove the threat of a Spanish armada that had been raiding British ports. Despite his poor health, Rooke resumed command of the fleet as it left Kingston, but he passed away during the voyage, never having fought a major battle. After the Spanish armada had been defeated at the Battle of Bristol Harbour, the captured ship Potencia was renamed Rooke in honour of the Admiral. John Churchill (1650 - 1716) Churchill was the most decorated British General of his time. Leading his army to victory in the South India War, he earned the praise of his peers and the respect of his enemies, and helped lay the foundation of the British Empire. In 1708, after a string of victories in the West Indies, Churchill arrived in Pennsylvania where he defeated the French in the Siege of Philadelphia. Three years later, he captured Cuba from Spain, in what would turn out to be his final battle. He remained on the island until 1716, when the 1st Army was ordered to sail for New Spain. During the voyage, Churchill's already fading health declined further. After landing in New Spain, he came down with a fever from which he never recovered. Less than a day's march from the city of México, the legendary General passed away in his sleep. William III (1650 - 1719) As the King of Great Britain and Ireland, William III saw his isle nation grow into an empire during the early 18th century. Through diplomacy and wars, colonies were established around the world, from India in the east to America in the west. Hardships and struggles were plentiful, but all throughout, the King was always there; a central figure around whom men could rally. In 1702, he fathered a son, George, with his wife of many years, Charlotte. In early 1719, William III died in his sleep following a short period of illness. Kevin McDowell (1659 - 1727) McDowell was not an accomplished officer, but he was well versed in the murky world of politics and favours. It was this skill that put him in charge of the 2nd Army after its previous commander, Henri de Massue, had been dismissed. McDowell first saw action at the Battle of Plaissance in 1705, where he sent his men in a costly attack up a hill. He was saved from defeat by a flanking maneuver suggested to him by his staff, but for which he took full credit. This was repeated at the Battle of Québec the following year. After further victories at Montréal and Santo Domingo, McDowell was promoted to Major General. In 1714, he faced his most daunting challenge yet when ordered to retake Philadelphia from the Iroquois. Although the battle ended in victory and another promotion, the bloody fighting had a serious effect on McDowell. He became nervous and unpredictable, lapsing between anger, panic and dejection. These symptoms started to show during the Second Battle of Fort Presque Isle and the Battle of Allegany, but it was the Battle of Fort Detroit in 1721 that would become McDowell's downfall. In a fit of madness, he led a disastrous cavalry charge during which he lost his nerves completely and fled. After the battle, he was relieved of command and returned to England. Suffering from deep depression, he finally commited suicide in 1727. Henri de Massue (1648 - 1729) A Frenchman by birth, Henri de Massue had served in the British army for several years when he was given his first command; taking troops to America to protect the Thirteen Colonies from Iroquois raids. When these raids did not materialise, de Massue received orders to take the Iroquois settlement at Niagara. He objected, knowing that his small force was outnumbered, but it had become a matter of pride for Britain. Forced to carry out the attack, de Massue courageously led his men into battle. Despite heavy losses, the battle ended in victory, but without reinforcements, the battered British force had to withdraw. Blamed for the fiasco, de Massue was relieved of command and spent the next two years looking elsewhere for work. His search took him to India where, in 1705, he was made commander of the newly established Carnatica Field Force. In 1710, he proved himself in battle after succesfully capturing the island of Ceylon following the Siege of Trincomalee. As peace settled over India, the aging General spent the rest of his career stationed at Fort Vellore, just outside Arcot. In 1729, after the outbreak of the First Anglo-Mughal War, de Massue was attacked and killed by enemy scouts while travelling back from a visit to the city. Horatio Ashcroft (1666 - 1730) Following the murder of Timothy Sutton, command of the 3rd Army was handed over to Brigadier General Horatio Ashcroft. His first taste of action came at the Second Battle of Niagara in 1714, where he defeated a much larger Iroquois force. British casualties were high, and the General became known as "Bloody" Horatio among the men. During the Anglo-Cherokee War, he won further victories at the Battle of Fort Presque Isle and the Battle of Sycamore Shoals. In 1720, he defeated the Cherokees at St. Augustine in another costly battle, cementing his nickname. The following year, he was forced to cooperate with Major General George Wade, the newly apointed commander of the 2nd Army. Not keen to share the glory, Ashcroft attacked ahead of Wade during the Battle of Tellico. After walking into a trap, he was rescued by Wade's cavalry. Friction between the two commanders increased as Wade pulled rank on Ashcroft in the Battle of Chicasa and the Battle of Fort de Chartres. In 1725, Ashcroft would fight the most important battle of his career when he, on his own initiative, attacked the Spanish garrison at Caracas, New Andalusia. Once again, casualties were high, but the victory ended the First Anglo-Spanish War and earned Ashcroft a promotion to Major General. Five years later, during the First Anglo-Mughal War, he would try the same thing. Ignoring orders to relieve the 1st Army in Mysore, he attacked Calcutta instead. The city was captured, but Ashcroft died a few weeks later from an infection after losing his left leg to a cannonball. George I (1702 - 1731) George I was born in 1702, during the early days of British expansion. At the age of 17 he was crowned King, following the death of William III. Young and unimposing, George never garnered the same level of respect from other world leaders as had his dead father. This lack of strength convinced Ahmad I, ruler of the Mughal Empire, to invade Mysore. In doing so, he initiated a decline in relations which would eventually lead to war. As the years passed, the increasingly decadent lifestyle of the young King became a constant embarrassment for the royal family. In 1731, only 29 years old, George I died after having fallen off his horse while riding with friends. Although it was never confirmed, many believed that he had been severly intoxicated at the time of the accident. Edward Russell (1653 - 1736) Russell first arrived in India in 1701 while commanding the fleet that acted as protection and transport for the British troops under John Churchill. After the South India War, Russell was put in charge of a frigate squadron patrolling the coast of the conquered region. During the First Anglo-Mughal War, the squadron kept the sea lanes open. The only engagement during this time, in which Russell was involved, occured in 1730, when a single Mughal ship was sunk off the coast of Ceylon. Three years later, as Great Britain and the Mughal Empire fought each other in the Second Anglo-Mughal War, Russell met defeat against a stronger enemy fleet. Having lost two of his frigates, he was forced to retreat, leaving British ports open to raids. As the war came to an end in 1734, the army and navy in India were reorganised. Russell was made commander of the South Squadron of the newly established Indian Fleet, while the North Squadron was placed under Commodore Edward Vernon. This led to the fleet being nicknamed the "Double Edward" by its sailors. In 1736, the South Squadron faced Mughal warships in the Battle of Laccadive Sea, during which Russell's flagship Valiant was hit and its powder magazine blown up. The 83-year-old Vice Admiral was killed instantly. His body was never recovered. Joss Grimditch (1705 - 1738) In 1737, Grimditch arrived in India with the 4th Division of the British Expeditionary Force. It was his first command and the young Major General was eager to make his mark. He marched immediately on Ahmedabad and was, to his surprise, greeted as a liberator by a population tired of years of tyrannic Mughal rule. Grimditch then continued inland and soon reached the town of Udaipur. Despite being blinded by thick fog, he attacked. The endeavour nearly ended in defeat, but the troops managed to pull through. A second battle was fought a few days later, when the Mughals tried to retake the town. They failed, and Grimditch was able to continue his campaign. In early 1738, the 4th Division arrived at the capital of the Mughal Empire; Akbarabad. Eager as ever to prove his worth, Grimditch made the rash decision to assault the walls without waiting for the 6th & 7th Divisions. It was a disaster that cost thousands of lives and led to the near destruction of his division. Only through the arrival of British reinforcements was the city captured. Grimditch himself was shot dead as he followed his men through the breach during the later stage of the assault.

Veteran Units

"The Sticks" 1st Regiment of Pike Although muskets had rendered the pike obsolete, the British army still maintaned six regiments as part of the London garrison. Due to the pressing demand for reinforcements in the South India War, two of these regiments, the 1st and 2nd, were sent to India. Taking part in the Second Siege of Satara in 1702, they played a pivotal role in the successful defence of the city. After the conclusion of the siege, the soldiers of the 1st Pike, having led the final counterattack, became affectionately known as "The Sticks". This was a reference to a comment by John Churchill, who had complained about being sent sticks instead of muskets when the pike regiments first arrived in India. Battle Honours: Second Siege of Satara 1702, Battle of Cayenne 1706, Battle of Windward Islands 1706, Siege of Philadelphia 1708 "The Old One" 1st Regiment of Foot The 1st Foot was the longest serving line regiment in the British army, having been formed in the late 17th century. It was also one of the most experienced. Under John Churchill, it fought with bravery in India, the West Indies and America, earning the General's utmost admiration. He came to refer to the regiment as "The Old One", a name which the men proudly adopted. During the campaign in New Spain in 1716, when Churchill lay dying of fever, the veterans of the 1st Foot kept a constant guard at his side. Battle Honours: Siege of Arcot 1701, Siege of Satara 1702, Second Siege of Satara 1702, Battle of Goa 1703, Battle of Cayenne 1706, Battle of Windward Islands 1706, Siege of Philadelphia 1708, Battle of Cabaiguán 1711, Siege of México 1717, Battle of Tampico 1718, Battle of Antigua Guatemala 1720, Battle of the Border 1721, Battle of Mysore 1729, Second Siege of Arcot 1730, Second Battle of Goa 1731, Battle of Sarabaz 1731, Battle of Neroon Kot 1733, Siege of Tangier 1736 "The Iron Regiment" 8th Regiment of Foot Raised in 1702, the 8th Foot was initially bound for India to take part in the South India War, but following the First Iroquois Uprising in America, the regiment instead joined the British force sent to support the Thirteen Colonies against the hostile natives. While taking part in the Battle of Niagara in 1703, the 8th came under attack by enemy cavalry. Despite suffering heavy casualties, it kept fighting throughout the battle, earning its nickname. Battle Honours: Battle of Niagara 1703, Battle of Plaissance 1705, Battle of Québec 1706, Battle of Montréal 1708, Battle of Santo Domingo 1711, Battle of Philadelphia 1714, Second Battle of Fort Presque Isle 1718, Battle of Allegany 1720, Battle of Fort Detroit 1721, Battle of Chicasa 1722, Battle of Fort de Chartres 1722, Battle of Port Royal 1724, Battle of Cochin 1729, Fifth Siege of Satara 1733, Battle of Ahmadnagar 1734, Battle of Gibraltar 1736 "The Pepperrells" 11th Regiment of Foot The regiment was sent to reinforce the army of John Churchill in 1703 and fought in India and America. After Churchill's death in 1716, command of the army was handed over to Sir William Pepperrell. Following a successful campaign in South America, the 11th Foot returned to Britain where it remained until the outbreak of the First Anglo-Mughal War in 1729. As part of the 1st Army under Sir William, the 11th was once again sent to India. It fought heroically in the Battle of Mysore, secured a British victory at the Second Siege of Arcot and took part in the final stage of the Second Battle of Goa. Through these exploits, the regiment gained the respect of Sir William who even began calling the men "my boys". By the time the Persian expedition was launched in 1731, the 11th Foot was known as "The Pepperrells". Battle Honours: Battle of Goa 1703, Battle of Cayenne 1706, Battle of Windward Islands 1706, Siege of Philadelphia 1708, Battle of Cabaiguán 1711, Siege of México 1717, Battle of Tampico 1718, Battle of Antigua Guatemala 1720, Battle of the Border 1721, Battle of Mysore 1729, Second Siege of Arcot 1730, Second Battle of Goa 1731, Battle of Sarabaz 173, Battle of Neroon Kot 17331, Siege of Tangier 1736 "The Royal Irish Regiment" 18th Regiment of Foot The 18th Foot was raised in Ireland in 1703 and attached to the 2nd Army. It first saw action at the Battle of Plaissance in 1705, where it took part in a flanking maneuver that ultimately won the battle. Fighting with distinction in several encounters, the 18th developed a reputation as a tough and dependable unit, but it was at the Battle of Philadelphia in 1714, during the Second Iroquois Uprising, that it was to truley show its strength. Guarding the left flank of the British line, the regiment came under constant attacks from both cavalry and infantry. Losses were high, but the men stood their ground, and the flank remained intact. Battle Honours: Battle of Plaissance 1705, Battle of Québec 1706, Battle of Montréal 1708, Battle of Santo Domingo 1711, Battle of Philadelphia 1714, Second Battle of Fort Presque Isle 1718, Battle of Allegany 1720, Battle of Fort Detroit 1721, Battle of Chicasa 1722, Battle of Fort de Chartres 1722, Battle of Port Royal 1724, Battle of Cochin 1729, Fifth Siege of Satara 1733, Battle of Ahmadnagar 1734, Siege of Tangier 1736 "The Devil's Twentyseven" 27th Regiment of Foot As part of a strike force led by Brigadier General Harbottle Gallatin, the regiment fought at the Battle of Gibraltar in 1712. Three years later, it was involved in the disastrous Siege of Tangier where it suffered heavy casualties. After having retreated back to Gibraltar, Gallatin's force came under repeated attacks by Spanish troops, and in retaliation, it raided nearby towns and villages. The 27th Foot became notorious for its indiscriminate use of bayonets during these raids. Battle Honours: Battle of Gibraltar 1712, Siege of Tangier 1715, Battle of Fort Sault Ste. Marie 1722, Battle of Chihuahua 1724, Battle of Paramaribo 1729, Battle of Godavari Crossing 1734 "The Wall" 1st Regiment of Foot Guards The 1st Foot Guards was part of the 1st Army under Sir William Pepperrell during the Anglo-Mughal War. While fighting in the Battle of Mysore in 1729, the regiment stood firm against an overwhelming enemy. As he rallied his crumbling army, Sir William uttered the famous words "Look men! There stand the Guards like an impregnable wall!" Battle Honours: Battle of Mysore 1729, Second Siege of Arcot 1730, Second Battle of Goa 1731, Battle of Neroon Kot 1733, Siege of Tangier 1736 "The Bluecoats" 6th Dragoons The expansion of France and Poland-Lithuania during the 1710s led to the demise of several German states including the Austrian and Prussian empires. As a result, many German soldiers found themselves without an army to serve. The 6th Dragoons, formed in 1712, was composed of such men. Keeping their old uniforms, they became known as "The Bluecoats" to their British comrades. Battle Honours: Battle of Gibraltar 1712, Siege of Tangier 1715, Battle of Fort Sault Ste. Marie 1722, Battle of Chihuahua 1724, Battle of Paramaribo 1729 "Carter's Raiders" 3rd Light Dragoons Raised in 1720, the 3rd Light Dragoons was attached to the 3rd Army under Brigadier General Horatio Ashcroft. It first saw action at the bloody Battle of St. Augustine the same year. After the battle had been won, the regiment remained in St. Augustine to police the area. Two years later, while out on patrol, it spotted a Cherokee force leaving New Orleans to reinforce the settlement at Chicasa which was under attack by British forces. Seizing the opportunity, the 3rd Light Dragoons launched an attack on New Orleans. Colonel Eldred Pitt, commanding the unit, was killed early on in the battle, and the position was taken over by Major Arthur Carter. Through a series of skillful moves, he managed to lead the outnumbered dragoons to victory. Having captured the town, they became known as Carter's Raiders and were celebrated as heroes throughout the colonies. Battle Honours: Battle of St. Augustine 1720, Battle of New Orleans 1722, Battle of Caracas 1725, Battle of Calcutta 1730, Battle of Kendrapara 1730, Fourth Siege of Satara 1731, Battle of Sarabaz 1731, Battle of Neroon Kot 1733

Wars

South India War (1700 - 1703) Great Britain, Mughal Empire & Portugal vs Maratha Confederacy The South India War began in 1700 with the invansion of the Portuguese colony of Goa by the Maratha Confederacy. Keen to establish a colony of its own, Great Britain joined the war on Portugal's side. After the successful Siege of Arcot in 1701, the region of Carnatica fell under British rule. An alliance was then formed between Great Britain and the Mughal Empire which led to a joint attack on Satara in 1702. After nearly losing the city later that same year, the British expeditionary army, under the leadership of Lt General John Churchill, once again joined forces with the Mughals and delievered the final blow to the Marathas at the Battle of Goa in 1703. With the former Portuguese colony in British hands, and the Maratha Confederacy destroyed, the war came to an end. First Iroquois Uprising (1702 - 1708) Great Britain & Thirteen Colonies vs Iroquois Confederacy Although there is no exact date when the Iroquois uprising began, it first came to the attention of British leadership in 1702, when an appeal for military support, issued by the Thirteen Colonies, reached the War Office. A hastily put together force, under the command of Brigadier General Henri de Massue, was sent to assist the colonies. Upon arriving, the British force found itself with little to do. The Iroquois had been pushed back to their settlement at Niagara by French troops, and the threat to the Thirteen Colonies was not as pressing anymore. However, the fact that it had been the French who had weakened the enemy was seen as an embarrassment, and Massue was ordered to attack the natives at Niagara. Although victorious, heavy casualties forced him to retreat, and the whole campaign was considered a failure. After returning to Britain, Massue was relieved of command. Five years later, the British 1st & 3rd Army laid siege to the Niagara settlement, prompting the signing of a peace treaty, thus ending the uprising. Although the war with the Iroquois led to no territorial changes, the Battle of Niagara in 1703 sparked the Anglo-French Colonial War. Anglo-French Colonial War (1703 - 1708) Great Britain & Thirteen Colonies vs France Seeing Britain's attack on Niagara in 1703 as a threat to its American colonies, France decided on a preemptive strike by declaring war on Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies. Greatly outnumbered and still suffering after the fight with the natives at Niagara, the British 2nd Army was forced to return home in shame. Its commander, Henri de Massue, was relieved of command and replaced with Brigadier General Kevin McDowell. While the army recuperated, the British navy won an important victory over the French at the Battle of Rotterdam. Two years later, the 2nd Army captured Newfoundland after winning the Battle of Plaissance, while Vice Admiral John Leake's fleet followed up its success at Rotterdam with another victory at the Battle of Plymouth Bay, a victory that unfortunately cost Leake his life. In the winter of 1705, following the surrender of the Fort Nashwaak garrison, the region of Acadia on the American mainland fell to the British. The next year, the 2nd Army once again defeated the French at the Battle of Québec. At the same time, John Churchill's 1st Army, having left India after the conclusion of the South India War, arrived in America and won a string of victories at Cayenne, San Jose de Oruña and Windward Islands. The British military success continued in 1707 with the victories at Falmouth, Albany and New Haven, brought on by the newly arrived 3rd Army under Brigadier General Timothy Sutton. After further victories over the French at the Siege of Philadelphia and the Battle of Montréal, both in 1708, the British government forced France into peace negotiations, leading to the signing of a treaty in which France agreed to cede its last colonial possession and also share recently developed technology. First Anglo-Spanish War (1708 - 1726) Great Britain vs Spain In 1708, only weeks before the end of the Anglo-French Colonial War, Spain invaded British Trinidad & Tobago. A subsequent string of raids on British ports brought the nation to the brink of bankruptcy. This was narrowly avoided through victory in the chaotic Battle of Bristol Harbour. The threat of an invasion by land prompted the War Office to reorganise the British armies, bringing several regiments back to protect the isles. The troops remaining in America were supplied with modern artillery, and in 1711, they captured the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola. The following year, a small strike force, led by Brigadier General Harbottle Gallatin, seised Gibraltar. This led to an armistice which lasted until 1715. After the successful attack on the Spanish shipyard at Cádiz, the British army in Gibraltar crossed the straight over to Morocco and launched an assault on the city of Tangier. It ended in defeat, forcing Britain to abandon the campaign and pull the troops out of Spain. Except for the loss of Jamaica in 1716, the misfortune in Europe was not mirrored in America. In 1717, the fleet of Rear Admiral Thomas Matthews defeated a Spanish armada in the Battle of Grand Bahama. After further victories in New Spain, Britain went on the offensive, capturing Guatemala, Panama and New Grenada in 1720. After the Battle of the Border in 1721, a strong Spanish defense prevented the 1st Army from advancing into New Andalusia. The war entered a period of inactivity until the recapture of Jamaica three years later. The year after, New Mexico fell. After a large part of the remaining Spanish troops in America were captured following the Battle of Rio de la Hacha, Brigadier General Horatio Ashcroft led his 3rd Army in an attack on Caracas, the capital of New Andalusia. It ended in a hard-fought victory, which enabled Great Britain to present Spain with an ultimatum; hand over Trinidad & Tobago and pay war reparations, and there will be peace. Unable to continue the fight, Spain agreed. The treaty was signed in early 1726, ending the war after nearly 20 years. Second Iroquois Uprising (1711 - 1715) Great Britain & Thirteen Colonies vs Iroquois Confederacy In 1711, the city of Philadelphia was ravaged by an attack from Iroquois warriors under the leadership of Pontiac, one of their most prominent Chiefs. He had long recented the peace treaty that had been signed with Great Britain. Using his influence, Pontiac managed to convince his people to rise up against the foreign power once again. Embroiled in its war against Spain, and with insufficient troops in the area, Britain was unable to send a relief force. It was not until the temporary ceasefire with Spain in 1712, that action could be taken to quell the uprising. The 2nd Army, under Major General Kevin McDowell, was reinforced and sent from Hispaniola to take back the city. After a hard-fought battle, in which Pontiac himself was captured, the 2nd Army succeeded in its mission. Shortly after, the 3rd Army attacked Niagara and although suffering heavy losses, managed to defeat the Iroquois defenders. A year later, both armies besiged Fort Detroit, at which point the uprising finally fell apart, and the Iroquois leaders agreed to the terms put forth by the British. Anglo-Cherokee War (1716 - 1722) Great Britain & Thirteen Colonies vs Cherokee Nations Chief Pontiac, instigator of the Second Iroquois Uprising, had been captured following the Battle of Philadelphia in 1714. Two years later, he escaped and sought refuge in Cherokee territory. Pursued by the British 3rd Army, Pontiac convinced the Cherokee leaders that the British were coming to conquer them, and that attacking first was the only way to escape destruction. Believing this to be true, the Cherokee sent out a war party, led by Chief Hiakatoo. Armed with cannon, provided by Spain in return for land, the war party engaged the 3rd Army at Fort Presque Isle. The battle ended in a British victory. Later that year, Hiakatoo had gathered a new force and fought the same army a second time. It was yet another defeat for the Cherokee. In 1718, Hiakatoo led his warriors for the last time in the Second Battle of Fort Presque Isle. They were defeated by the British 2nd Army, and Hiakatoo was killed in the last assault. From 1720 to 1722, the Cherokee suffered further defeats at St. Augustine, Tellico and Chicasa. They also lost New Orleans to an opportunistic attack by 3rd Light Dragoons or "Carter's Raiders" as they became known. Finally, in the middle of spring 1722, the last battle of the Anglo-Cherokee War was fought at Fort de Chartres. Despite valiant resistance by the natives, they were unable to stop the combined force of the 2nd & 3rd Army, and the battle ended with another British victory. Following the final defeat of the Cherokee tribe, and as part of an agreement signed the year prior, the Thirteen Colonies handed over the governing of all their territories to Great Britain. Third Iroquois Uprising (1720 - 1721) Great Britain & Thirteen Colonies vs Iroquois Confederacy Five years after the end of the Second Iroquois Uprising, discontent stirred among the natives once again. It soon boild over in another rebellion. Gathering a war party, the Iroquois moved east through British territory, rasing villages as they went. Reaching Allegany, they met Lt General Kevin McDowell's 2nd Army and were promptly destroyed. The British then marched on Fort Detroit, the last Iroquois settlement, and attacked it. During the battle, McDowell lapsed into madness and headed a disastrous cavalry charge that nearly led to defeat. In the end, the cavalry managed to pull through, and Fort Detroit fell to the British. The Iroquois Confederacy was dissolved, ending the third uprising. Anglo-Huron War (1722) Great Britain vs Huron-Wyandot The British and the Hurons had been at odds with each other ever since the former had established a colony in Rupert's Land in northern America. To avoid a confrontation, control of the colony was handed over to the Thirteen Colonies in the late 1690s. However, when the war-torn remnants of the Thirteen Colonies reverted back to British rule after the end of the Anglo-Cherokee war, the Hurons went to war with Britian. To quell this insurgency, the 4th Army, under Brigadier General Harbottle Gallatin, was sent to Rupert's Land. It marched south into Huron Territory and attacked the natives at Fort Sault Ste. Marie. The battle marked the first use of Puckle guns, and was a resounding British victory. Shortly after, Gallatin travelled to York Factory in the Northwest Territories to meet with the Huron chief, Theyanoguin I. An agreement was reached, and the brief war ended. First Anglo-Mughal War (1729 - 1731) Great Britain vs Mughal Empire & Persia After almost 30 years as allies, the strained relationship between Great Britain and the Mughal Empire came to a violent end in 1729 when British and Mughal ships clashed in the Mediterranean. War was declared with great enthusiasm, and four armies left Portsmouth. The first land battle was fought in the West Indies as the British 4th Army took control of Dutch Guyana, the only Mughal-controlled region outside of India. The early success was quickly overshadowed by the loss of Satara and Goa, and the complete destruction of the Bijapur Field Force. In late 1729, the British 1st & 2nd Army arrived in Calicut. Acting on information provided by the locals, the two armies parted ways. The 2nd Army marched south, pursuing a Mughal contingent that had attacked and looted Calicut a few days earlier. The British caught up with and defeated the enemy at the village of Cochin. While the Battle of Cochin was fought, the 1st Army reached the capital of Mysore. The city was captured without a struggle, but it turned out to be a trap and a large Mughal force surrounded the isolated British army. Although the battle ended in a heroic British victory, they had sustained crippling losses. When the expected relief force failed to show up, the 1st Army had to abandon the city, and Mysore was recaptured by the Mughals shortly after. Unable to continue fighting, the 1st & 2nd Army retreated to Ceylon to await reinforcements. Meanwhile, Horatio Ashcroft, acting without orders, landed the 3rd Army in Bengal and laid siege to Calcutta. The city was captured in 1730, but the victory cost Ashcroft his life. Later that year, the reinforced armies returned to the mainland. Carnatica was recaptured after the successful Second Siege of Arcot. Mysore and Hyderabad followed soon after. As the year drew to a close, the 3rd Army won the Battle of Kendrapara, removing the last threat to Bengal. In the spring of 1731, the 1st Army won an easy victory at the Second Battle of Goa. The final blow to the enemy was delivered by the 3rd Army as it defeated the Mughal garrison in the bloody Fourth Siege of Satara. Forced to seek peace, the Mughals agreed to let Britain keep all territory it had gained during the war, under condition that Orissa & Circars in the southeast would remain part of the Mughal Empire. Although the conflict was officially over, Persia was still at war with Britain. Loyal to the Mughal Empire, it had joined on the side of its ally, but when the peace treaty was signed, there was no mentioned of this small, crumbling nation in the north. In late summer, a British expeditionary force under Sir William Pepperrell landed in Balluchistan and marched for Zahedan. It was intercepted by a large Persian army near the village of Sarabaz. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the experienced and well equipped British force won the battle and proceeded to chase the enemy all the way to the Persian capital, where Sultan Hoseyn I surrendered. While Persia was allowed to remain a self-governing nation, Britain gained full military access to all its land. Second Anglo-Mughal War (1733 - 1734) Great Britain vs Mughal Empire In 1733, Britain was on the verge of launching a military campaign against Poland. To do this, large portions of its Indian garrison had to be shipped back to Europe. Ahmad I, ruler of the Mughal Empire, decided to take advantage of the decrease in British troops by invading southern India. The plan was only a half-success, as the Mughal commanders in charge of the invasion became to eager to attack and did so before the British had left the continent. They did manage to capture Satara but lost Cuttack and Neroon Kot in the first weeks of the war. In early 1734, Harbottle Gallatin led a British army to victory against against the Mughals at Godavari River. He then captured Nagpur. These victories were followed by the remarkable recapture of Satara by the very same army that had been driven from the city the previous year. The army's commander, Major General Eli Jacob, wanted to use the boost in morale, and therefore joined forces with a contingent of British East India Company troops. Together, they attacked Ahmadnagar. Poor communication between Jacob and the Company troops led to the battle almost being lost. It was only thanks to the tenacity of the fighting men, and a great effort by the Iron Regiment in particular, that victory was achieved. Having suffered several defeats in a row, and with British raiding parties striking deep within its territory, the Mughal Empire sued for peace two weeks after the battle of Ahmadnagar. Second Anglo-Spanish War (1736 - 1737) Great Britain vs Spain In 1736, King Luis I of Spain decided to challenge the British Empire by sending an army to reclaim Trinidad & Tobago. Shortly after the successful invasion of the islands, a second army took British East Guyana (formerly French Guyana). Britain responded by sending three divisions of its newly reorganised Expeditionary Force to capture Sardinia, Gibraltar and Morocco. In the wake of demands by colonists in America for a local military force similar to the one in India, the British War Office agreed to form the Royal Colonial Army. The ranks were quickly filled with volunteers, and the new army saw action for the first time at the Battle of Cayenne. At the end of what had become known as The Long Year, a British Mediterranean fleet, led by Colin Cottrel, defeated a Spanish armada at the Battle of Oran. All enemy ships were either captured or destroyed, severely crippling the Spanish navy. In early 1737, the Royal Colonial Army undertook the Relief of Paramaribo, resulting in the defeat of the Spanish army that had laid siege to the town. In Europe, Sir William Pepperrell liberated Portugal, while Harbottle Gallatin captured Corsica. Later the same year, Trinidad & Tobago returned to British rule following the Battle of San José de Oruña. With the redcoats massing in Portugal, King Luis I saw no alternative but to negotiate for peace. This ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon which ended the war. Third Anglo-Mughal War (1736 - 1739) Great Britain vs Mughal Empire Much like the First Anglo-Mughal War, the third conflict between the empires began with a naval engagement. At the Battle of Laccadive Sea, the South Squadron of the Indian Fleet faced a large number of Mughal warships. Despite there being no offical declaration of hostilities at the time, the two sides fought each other in a bloody struggle. The British squadron was victorious, but had lost five ships. The commanding officer, Vice Admiral Edward Russell, had also been killed when the powder magazine of his flagship exploded. Using the battle as an excuse, the Mughal ruler Bahadur I, son of Ahmad I, sent his forces across the borders. It soon became evident that the the Mughal army was not as strong as it appeared, prompting Major General Woodrow Bell, commanding the 8th Division of the Indian Army, to attack the enemy at Bilaspur. It was a resounding success, and so was the second battle, fought a few days later. Further battles were won at Hingoli and Jawhar by the 3rd and 1st Divisions respectivly. The Mughals laid siege to Hyderabad, but were again defeated. Shortly after the end of the siege, units of the British Expeditionary Force started arriving in India. The first to land was the 4th Division, commanded by Major General Joss Grimditch. He marched at once for Ahmedabad. To his surprise, Grimditch was greeted as a liberator, a sign of the unrest that was spreading throughout the Mughal Empire. From Ahmedabad, Grimditch continued his push inland. Despite heavy fog, in which some units became lost, the 4th Division won the First Battle of Udaipur. The enemy launched a counterattack a few days later, but Grimditch's force was, once again, victorious. With the Mughal Empire on its last legs, it engaged in one final effort to defeat the British by attacking at Neroon Kot. The endeavour failed with enormous losses on both sides, but while the British could replace them, the Mughals could not. In early 1738, British forces entered Hindustan. After the 3rd Indian Division had defeated a Mughal contingent at the Battle of Aligarh, Major General Joss Grimditch led an assault on Akbarabad. Although the city was eventually captured, the assault itself was a disaster. Grimditch was killed in action and much of his division destroyed. The following year, Brigadier General Quentin Payne and the 6th Division attacked Lahore. Mughal leader Bahadur I was killed in the battle and his once mighty empire crumbled, thus ending the war.

---

Chapters & Timeline

Dreams of an Empire
> 1700, Maratha Confederacy declares war on Portugal
> 1700, Great Britain declares war on Maratha Confederacy
> 1701, Maratha captures Goa
> 1701, British expeditionary army lands in Carnatica
> 1701, Siege of Arcot

A Change of Plans
> 1702, Prince George is born to King William III and Queen Charlotte
> 1702, British force sent to aid the Thirteen Colonies
> 1702, Siege of Satara

Hanging on by a Thread
> 1702, Second Siege of Satara

Disaster in the West
> 1703, Battle of Niagara
> 1703, France declares war on Great Britain and Thirteen Colonies
> 1703, Battle of Rotterdam

Death of a Nation
> 1703, Battle of Goa

Renewed Efforts
> 1704, British 2nd Army leaves for America
> 1705, Battle of Plaissance
> 1705, Battle of Plymouth Bay
> 1705, Fort Nashwaak surrenders to British 2nd Army
> 1705, France captures Pennsylvania, New York and Maine

Making Progress
> 1706, Battle of Québec
> 1706, Battle of Cayenne
> 1706, San Jose de Oruña surrenders to British 1st Army
> 1706, Battle of Windward Islands
> 1706, British 3rd Army lands in Maine

Regained Ground
> 1707, Battle of Falmouth

The Price of Success
> 1707, Albany surrenders to British 3rd Army
> 1707, Battle of New Haven
> 1708, Siege of Philadelphia
> 1708, Spain invades Trinidad & Tobago, declaring war on Great Britain

An End to a War
> 1708, Battle of Montréal
> 1708, Peace treaty signed with France, ending Anglo-French Colonial War

Unstable Foundations
> 1708, Siege of Niagara
> 1708, Peace treaty signed with Iroquois Confederacy, ending First Iroquois Uprising
> 1709, Britain near bankruptcy
> 1710, Spanish armada raids British ports
> 1710, Battle of Bristol Harbour

Changes
> 1710, United Provinces destroyed by France
> 1710, British Army reorganized
> 1710, Siege of Trincomalee
> 1711, Austria destroyed by Poland-Lithuania
> 1711, Battle of Cabaiguán
> 1711, Battle of Santo Domingo

Surprise Attacks
> 1711, Iroquois Confederacy attacks Philadelphia
> 1712, British strike force sails for Gibraltar
> 1712, Battle of Gibraltar
> 1712, Spain agrees to a ceasefire

Paying in Blood
> 1713, John Egerton dies, Shakerly Burgess replaces him as First Lord of the Admirality
> 1713, Prussia destroyed by Poland-Lithuania
> 1714, Battle of Philadelphia

Old Battlegrounds
> 1714, Second Battle of Niagara
> 1715, George Clarke dies, Ulysses Conant replaces him as Secretary at War
> 1715, War with Spain resumes

Overview of the Empire and the World 1715

Setbacks
> 1715, Siege of Tangier
> 1715, Peace treaty signed with Iroquois Confederacy, ending Second Iroquois Uprising
> 1716, Battle of Fort Presque Isle
> 1716, Spain captures Jamaica

Small Victories
> 1716, Battle of Grand Bahama
> 1716, Battle of Sycamore Shoals

The Need for Change
> 1717, Isaac Cooper resigns, Christopher Paine replaces him as Prime Minister
> 1717, The Conant Reforms are initiated
> 1717, Siege of México
> 1718, Battle of Tampico
> 1718, Second Battle of Fort Presque Isle

Expanding Empires
> 1719, Isaac Newton dies
> 1719, King William III dies, George I ascends the throne
> 1720, Battle of Antigua Guatemala
> 1720, Panama surrenders to British 1st Army
> 1720, Bogotá surrenders to British 1st Army

Hard Fighting
> 1720, Third Iroquois Uprising begins
> 1720, Battle of Allegany
> 1720, Battle of St. Augustine

One Man's Promise
> 1721, Battle of the Border
> 1721, Battle of Fort Detroit
> 1721, Iroquois Confederacy destroyed, ending Third Iroquois Uprising
> 1721, Battle of Tellico
> 1722, Battle of Chicasa
> 1722, New Orleans falls to British 3rd Light Dragoons

Fall of the Cherokee
> 1722, Battle of Fort de Chartres
> 1722, The Thirteen Colonies relinquish their independence to Great Britain

Secret Weapons
> 1722, Battle of Fort Sault Ste. Marie
> 1723, HMS Victory is launched
> 1724, Battle of Port Royal
> 1724, Battle of Chihuahua
> 1725, Santa Fe surrenders to British 4th Army

Seising Opportunities
> 1725, Battle of Rio de la Hacha
> 1725, Battle of Caracas
> 1726, Peace treaty signed with Spain, ending First Anglo-Spanish War

Overview of the Empire and the World 1726

Peace and Prosperity
> 1726, The armies return to the British Isles
> 1727, Kevin McDowell dies in his home
> 1728, Ulysses Conant organises and re-equips the armies

Back to War
> 1729, The Mediterranean Incident
> 1729, Great Britain declares war on Mughal Empire
> 1729, Battle of Paramaribo
> 1729, Henri de Massue is killed in an ambush

Wrath of the Mughals
> 1729, Third Siege of Satara
> 1729, Goa falls to a Mughal army

The Peril of Confidence
> 1729, British 1st and 2nd Army land in Carnatica
> 1729, Battle of Cochin
> 1729, Mysore surrenders to British 1st Army

In Mysore We Die
> 1729, Battle of Mysore
> 1729, Calcutta is besieged by British 3rd Army

The War Goes Ever On
> 1729, Poland-Lithuania captures Istanbul and Tripoli
> 1729, Russia captures Crimea, Dagestan and Georgia
> 1729, Great Britain forms alliance with Ottoman Empire
> 1730, Arcot falls to a Mughal army
> 1730, Battle of Calcutta

Changing Winds
> 1730, Second Siege of Arcot
> 1730, Battle of Kendrapara
> 1731, King George I dies, Caroline I ascends the throne
> 1731, Mysore surrenders to British 2nd Army
> 1731, Hyderabad surrenders to British 4th Army

For Queen and Country
> 1731, Second Battle of Goa
> 1731, Fourth Siege of Satara
> 1731, Peace treaty signed with Mughal Empire, ending First Anglo-Mughal War

The Persian Expedition
> 1731, Battle of Sarabaz
> 1731, Peace treaty signed with Persia

Overview of the Empire and the World 1733

Shattered Plans
> 1733, Battle of Curaçao

Clouds Over India
> 1733, Fifth Siege of Satara
> 1733, Cuttack surrenders to a British Army
> 1733, Battle of Neroon Kot

Fortune Favours the Bold
> 1734, Battle of Godavari Crossing
> 1734, Nagpur surrenders to a British Army
> 1734, Satara surrenders to a British Army
> 1734, Battle of Ahmadnagar
> 1734, Peace treaty signed with Mughal Empire, ending Second Anglo-Mughal War

An Old Enemy
> 1734, Troops of the East India Company are transferd to the British Crown
> 1734, The Indian Army and the Indian Fleet are established
> 1736, Organisation of the new armed forces is completed
> 1736, Spain declares war and invades Trinidad & Tobago and British East Guyana
> 1736, The Royal Navy attacks Spanish ports in the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast
> 1736, Naval engagement in the Caribbean Sea

Return to Gibraltar
> 1736, British armada arrives at the Strait of Gibraltar
> 1736, Sardinia surrenders to the British Expeditionary Force
> 1736, Battle of Gibraltar
> 1736, Siege of Tangier

The Long Year
> 1736, The Royal Colonial Army is formed
> 1736, Battle of Cayenne
> 1736, Battle of Laccadive Sea
> 1736, Mughal forces invade British India

Britannia Rule the Waves
> 1736, Battle of Oran

Turningpoints
> 1737, Relief of Paramaribo
> 1737, First & Second Battle of Bilaspur
> 1737, Battles of Hingoli and Jawhar
> 1737, Siege of Hyderabad
> 1737, Four divisions of the BEF arrives in India
> 1737, Ahmedabad surrenders to British troops

Tightening the Noose
> 1737, Portugal captured
> 1737, Corsica captured
> 1737, First & Second Battle of Udaipur

A Dying Empire
> 1737, Battle of Umerkot
> 1737, Battle of Neroon Kot

Shifting Conflicts
> 1737, Battle of San José de Oruña
> 1737, Peace treaty signed with Spain, ending Second Anglo-Spanish War
> 1738, Battle of Aligarh
> 1738, Siege of Akbarabad
> 1738, Poland-Lithuanian declares war on Great Britain
> 1738, Ulysses Conant dies, Hilario Cumberland replaces him as Secretary at War

End of an Era
> 1739, Battle of Oran
> 1739, Battle of Lahore
> 1739, Mughal Empire destroyed, ending Third Anglo-Mughal War
> 1739, Russia captures Stockholm
> 1739, Hilario Cumberland initiates the New Army Plan

Overview of the Empire and the World 1739

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter I: Dreams of an Empire

For years, Great Britain had watched in envy as other European powers had carved their own slices of the vast riches of the Indian continent. On the west coast, the Goa region was in Portugese hands, while the Dutch had colonised the island of Ceylon. When Goa came under attack by the Maratha Confederacy in early 1700, the British saw a chance to establish a colony of their own. Under the pretence of aiding its Portugese ally, Britain declared war upon the Marathas. An expeditionary army, commanded by Lt General John Churchill, was assembled and sailed for India. When it arrived in the late summer of 1701, Goa had already fallen to Marathan forces. This didn't affect the British plans however, since Churchill had been ordered to first take Carnatica, the southernmost region of the Indian mainland. Landing in Calicut, he marched his army across the land and laid siege to Arcot. If the city could be taken, Carnatica would fall under British control.

Siege of Arcot, 1701 (click to view)

Spoiler for Order of Battle:  Commander: Lt Gen John Churchill Cavalry: 1st Regiment of Horse 2nd Regiment of Horse Artillery: 1st Field Artillery 2nd Field Artillery 3rd Field Artillery 4th Field Artillery Infantry: 1st Regiment Foot 2nd Regiment of Foot 3rd Regiment of Foot 4th Regiment of Foot 5th Regiment of Foot 6th Regiment of Foot The British artillery roared as all four batteries fired at the city walls. A few seconds later, the shots struck, causing small puffs of dust and smoke to appear briefly. The bombardment had been going on for several hours and was beginning to take its toll on the fortification. Through his telescope, Churchill could see how the impact had made another crack in the structure. It would not be long before a breach had been established. The order was given to advance. Under murderous fire from enemy mortars, the infantry made its way towards the city. Closer to the wall, musket fire added to the misery of the British soldiers. The city garrison was a pitiful rabble of peasants armed with obsolete weapons, but from an elevated position and protected by a parapet, even a simple peasant could cause a lot of damage. For a moment, it was pure hell, as musket balls and mortar rounds rained down on the men of Churchill's army. Then came the breakthrough. Struck by artillery fire yet again, a section of the wall came crashing down. The first regiment to charge the breach was the 4th Foot. Suffering heavy losses, it was forced to retreat, but the attack had weakend the enemy, allowing the 2nd & 5th to push through. While they fought their way along the winding streets, the 1st Foot had brought up ladders and gained access to the city gates. With British cavalry now pouring in, Anoop Suthar, the garrison commander, decided to surrender on condition that his remaining men were spared. Churchill agreed.

At the cost of 433 men, Great Britain had gained its first colony in India and with it came all the benefits of this rich land. Tea, spice and precious gems flowed through the trade routes, boosting the economy, as well as ambitions. An alliance was formed with the Mughal Empire, enemy of the Marathas. It included a trade agreement and unlimited military access to Mughal land. The future looked bright, but trouble elsewhere in the world would disrupt the newly formed plans for expansion.

[Merchant of Venice]

Seems promising. Good to see someone trying to re-ignite the Empire AAR scene. The pictures in this update were pretty good, you seem to already have a knack for it. The sun setting of the land in the first pic was quite exemplary photo taking.

Just one comment, for the next chapter try to add some more to it. People don't mind waiting a few more day if you can deliver i nice substantial chapter and while i know that it may be hard to do that when nothing really happens the first turn, its just something to keep in mind.

I like how you have done the OP as well. Very organized. You have your first sub.

[Paraipan]

Great potential. Following.

[IneptCmdr]

Seems promising. Good to see someone trying to re-ignite the Empire AAR scene. The pictures in this update were pretty good, you seem to already have a knack for it. The sun setting of the land in the first pic was quite exemplary photo taking.

Just one comment, for the next chapter try to add some more to it. People don't mind waiting a few more day if you can deliver i nice substantial chapter and while i know that it may be hard to do that when nothing really happens the first turn, its just something to keep in mind.

I like how you have done the OP as well. Very organized. You have your first sub.

Thank you for your input and kind words. Future chapters should have a bit more meat to them as I get a few turns into the game.

Great potential. Following.

Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy it.

[Marcus Vitruvius]

This reminds me of RoyalNobodys excellent British AAR in terms of OP layout and content. Great start so far! Will be looking forward to more!

[IneptCmdr]

This reminds me of RoyalNobodys excellent British AAR in terms of OP layout and content. Great start so far! Will be looking forward to more!

Thanks for checking it out! The second chapter should be up shortly. And you're right, RoyalNobody's great AAR was indeed a big part of the inspiration for this.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter II: A Change of Plans

1702 had begun most favourably for the British. The success in India the year before, coupled with the celebrated birth of Prince George, the future heir to the throne, in early January, had sparked a steep rise in national pride within the empire. Many young men, who had never been desperate enough to seek military service, now took the King's shilling. Driven by a newfound sense of duty and a romanticised image of war, they dreamt of fame and glory in far away India. Reality would turn out much different for many of them.

As spring swept away the last cold air of the past season and brought new life to the soil of British farmland, a dark cloud of trouble appeared on the horizon. It took the form of an urgent message from the governing body of the Thirteen Colonies which detailed a rapidly increasing threat posed by the natives of the Iroquois Confederacy. There had been minor skirmishes fought between the two in the past, but lately, the Iroquois had attacked more frequently and in larger numbers. Fearing that they might be overrun, the Colonies pleaded for military support.

Britain, being the protector of the Thirteen Colonies, had to act. Using newly raised units originally intended for the campaign in India, an army was assembled and placed under the command of Brigadier General Henri de Massue. As it departed Portsmouth harbour, the British War Office was faced with another problem. What would it send to reinforce Churchill? With no other troops readily available, the decision was made to draw two regiments of pikemen from the London garrison. Although they had not seen action for many years and were equipped with outdated weapons, they would at least provide some extra manpower, or so the reasoning went.

Spoiler for Map of India: 

Meanwhile in India, the British expeditionary army was on the move again, heading back to Calicut where it had first arrived a year ago. The locals watched with curiosity as the new rulers marched through the many small villages of Carnatica, their fifes and drums playing strange and unfamiliar tunes. As the army reached the port, it boarded the ships of Rear Admiral Edward Russell's fleet, the same one that had brought the soldiers to India. It now took them farther up the coast, north of Mysore territory, to the Maratha controlled Bijapur region. Unaware of the changes that had been made, Churchill, still expecting heavy reinforcements, was planning another offensive. Having negotiated a deal with the Mughal Empire, he would join forces with General Zulfikar Khan and together they would strike at the heart of the Maratha Confederacy; the city of Satara.

Siege of Satara, 1702 (click to view)

Spoiler for Order of Battle:  Commander: Lt Gen John Churchill Cavalry: 1st Regiment of Horse 2nd Regiment of Horse Artillery: 1st Field Artillery 2nd Field Artillery 3rd Field Artillery 4th Field Artillery Infantry: 1st Regiment of Foot 2nd Regiment of Foot 3rd Regiment of Foot 4th Regiment of Foot 5th Regiment of Foot 6th Regiment of Foot + 4000 Mughals, lead by Zulfikar Khan The plan seemed simple enough. Churchill was to launch the main assault from the south, while Khan, coming in from the north, would provide support. It would not be an easy task though. Satara was heavily fortified and behind its strong walls waited 5000 Maratha soldiers. Regardless of the plan's simplicity, it would take a great deal of effort to break this formidable defense. Arriving late in the evening, the men of Churchill's army could see the guards up on the battlement, silhouetted against the setting sun, as they prepared for the upcoming battle. The bombardment began early the next day. Churchill had carefully chosen his position, a hill to the southeast, giving the artillery an excellent view of the city. All throughout the morning, the guns pounded the wall, slowly chipping away at it. Meanwhile, the infantry sat on the reverse slope, patiently wating for the order to attack. Around midday, the soldiers heard a loud rumble amid the booming canonfire. Rushing up the hillside, they could see a gaping hole slowly become visible as the cloud of smoke, created by the collapsed section of the wall, began to dissipate. Marching to the beat of the drum, the British advanced in good order. Leading the assault was the 1st Foot, followed closely by the 2nd, 4th, & 5th. As they reached the wall, the men of the 1st fired their muskets at the enemy soldiers crowding the breach and then charged with bayonets. Soon after, the 2nd Foot was drawn into the fight. Just as the other two regiments were about to join their comrades, the gates opened and hundreds of Maratha defenders poured out. Armed with swords, they began hacking and stabbing at the redcoated foreigners that had come to take their homes and their lives. While the British were fighting through the breach on the south side of Satara, Zulfikar Khan's army had begun its attack. Although not as numerous as that of his ally, Khan's artillery had still managed to damage the northern gates, opening up a way into the city. Braving the heavy guns firing at them from atop the wall, the Mughals charged. Reaching the gates, they ran into heavy resistance, but although the attack was halted, it succeeded in drawing part of the garrison away from the main fight. Having thrown his last reserves into the fray, Churchill could see how the once rigid defense was starting to buckle. It was time to deploy the cavalry and deliver the final blow. Upon receiving the order to attack, the men of the 1st & 2nd Horse kicked their spurs and set off. With great dash, they sped across the battlefield and crashed into the exhausted enemy. Under hooves and falling swords, the last of the Maratha resistance perished. Satara had fallen, but the victory had come at a great cost. Losses on all sides were substantial. Everywhere one looked, the ground was covered with the wounded, the dead and the dying. Under the scorching sun, the piles of bodies quickly attracted vultures, feeding on the aftermath of carnage. The soldiers tried to chase them away, but the winged scavangers were too persistent and the men too tired. It was not until the next day that graves could be dug. Until then, the beasts were free to fill their bellies.

Following the fall of Satara, the Mughals exacted their revenge on the defeated Marathas. It was a bloody affair and Churchill was appalled by the savagery of it. Had he known the bitterness of their conflict, he might have been more understanding, but he didn't know and therefore, the slaughter seemed unnecessary. Even so, he remained silent, for he was well aware of the importance of keeping allies in this hostile land.

Once the army of Zulfikar Khan had satisfied its lust for blood, it retreated back to Mughal territory, leaving the British in charge. Work now began to repair the damage that had been caused during the siege. The walls and gates were rebuilt, defensive works strengthened and new roads laid. All the while, Churchill waited for the reinforcements that had been promised to him; fresh regiments of infantry and cavalry, replacements to bring the current units back up to strength, new 12-lber guns and enough supplies to last another year. None of it came. What he got instead was a thousand men armed with pikes. Churchill was furious. "I ask for muskets and they send me sticks!" he exclaimed in anger, as he watched the new units disembark the ships that had carried them across the oceans.

Without enough men to continue the offensive, the expeditionary army returned to Satara and prepared for the inevitable Maratha counterattack. When it came, it were the so called sticks that would turn out to be the decisive weapons.

[Merchant of Venice]

I don't think the British knew the old saying 'Dont bring a pointy stick to a gun fight' I wonder whether the Mughal alliance will hold and what is in store for 13 colonies as well as the Iroquois. Yet again, some fantastic pictures.

[Markmilan]

Nice AAR, keep up the good work!

[IneptCmdr]

I don't think the British knew the old saying 'Dont bring a pointy stick to a gun fight' I wonder whether the Mughal alliance will hold and what is in store for 13 colonies as well as the Iroquois. Yet again, some fantastic pictures.

I have a feeling the Mughals are not too keen on sharing India with the British.

Nice AAR, keep up the good work!

Thanks Markmilan!

[IneptCmdr]

I've added a map to Chapter II to make it a bit easier to follow the action.

[Merchant of Venice]

You should think about entering into the MAARC. There is currently a need for entries and your AAR fulfils the criteria. Everyone is friendly and every entry, no matter how early in its stages, is welcome. Think of it as a way to advertise your AAAR

[IneptCmdr]

You should think about entering into the MAARC. There is currently a need for entries and your AAR fulfils the criteria. Everyone is friendly and every entry, no matter how early in its stages, is welcome. Think of it as a way to advertise your AAAR

Thanks for the suggestion. I will do so.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter III: Hanging on by a Thread

In the months following the British victory at Satara, an uneasy calm settled over the newly conquered region. The only confrontation between the expeditionary army and Maratha forces was a minor skirmish at Khed, a farming village west of the city. Here, among the rice paddies, a detachment consisting of the 1st & 2nd Foot engaged a small raiding party as it was trying to secure some food. The fight lasted only a few minutes and no losses were reported on the British side.

Despite the lack of action, it was hard for anyone to relax, for they knew that one day the Maratha would attack. Rigid drills kept the men alert and daily chores kept their minds occupied, but the tension was always there. Only the monsoon, during which military operations were difficult to carry out, brought about an opportunity to get some much needed rest. It was only momentary though, and as soon as the days of heavy rain were over, the soldiers returned to their posts and waited. All throughout this, the seemingly tireless Churchill kept his eyes fixed southwest, certain that the enemy would eventually arrive from Goa, the only part of India still under their rule. It would turn out to be a mistake on part of the General.

As the year was drawing to a close, the attack that everyone had anticipated finally came.

Second Siege of Satara, 1702 (click to view)

Spoiler for Order of Battle:  Commander: Lt Gen John Churchill Cavalry: 1st Regiment of Horse 2nd Regiment of Horse Infantry: 1st Regiment of Foot 2nd Regiment of Foot 3rd Regiment of Foot 4th Regiment of Foot 5th Regiment of Foot 6th Regiment of Foot 1st Regiment of Pike 2nd Regiment of Pike The day had started out much like any other day for the past few months, but as the British soldiers were getting ready for lunch, sentries on the north wall reported enemy movement. Soon after, a Maratha army, lead by the renowned General Balkrishna Indukuri, came over the crest of a nearby hill and rushed forward, like a wave on the sea. Churchill cursed himself for having been so single-minded when it came to the strategy of the enemy. At the same time he wondered how Indukuri had managed to traverse Mughal territory without them noticing it. It added to Churchill's distrust of the supposed allies of Britain, as he had expected the Mughals to report any enemy activity to him. This was not the time to ponder the matter though. Churchill needed to move his men over to the north wall. General Indukuri lacked artillery and was forced to send his men charging across open ground without support. Despite suffering heavy casualties during the approach, The Marathas kept going, leaving a trail of dead and wounded behind them. They seemed almost unstoppable, as neither cannon nor musket could break their momentum. Eventually they reached the wall, still strong spirited and focused. Ladders were brought up and raised, then pushed back down by the defenders, only to be raised again. The British soldiers fought with everything they had, but outnumbered, they were unable to stop the onslaught. Being closest to where the ladders were raised, the 3rd Foot took the brunt of the attack, as enemy soldiers began to swarm over the wall. Despite valiant resistance, the 3rd was annihilated before other regiments could get there. This allowed the Marathas to establish a strong foothold and no matter how hard the British struggled, it seemed impossible to push them back. To try and break the attack, Churchill sent the 1st & 2nd Horse outside to charge the enemy infantry that was still on the ground. While they did manage to stop the flow of Maratha soldiers going up the ladders, the British horsemen were counterattacked by lancers. Caught in stationary melee, the worst situation possible for cavalry, the British fought bravely against the odds. Bravery was not enough however, and soon, the 2nd Horse was no more. The situation looked bleak on all fronts. With the brutal fight on the battlement slowly turning in favour of the defenders, thanks in large to the disruption caused by the cavalry, Churchill made a second attempt to strike at the enemy on the outside. The 1st & 2nd Regiments of Pike, whos arrival Churchill had grumbled over, marched through the gates. Their weapons were too unwieldy to be used up on the wall, but on open ground, against tightly packed enemy troops, they were devastating. One by one, the Marathas were skewered by the long pikes and with each death their morale sank ever lower, until they could take no more and fled. The "sticks" had turned the tide of battle. With the enemy on the ground in disarray, the entire Maratha attack crumbled.

One fourth of Churchill's army had been lost, with the 3rd Foot & 2nd Horse completely wiped out, but in the end, the defense had held. However, without proper reinforcements, it was unlikely to hold a second time. Desperate, Churchill wrote to London, demanding more men, or the British possessions in India would surely be lost. The response was entirely dependent on how the situation in America would unfold, but of this, Churchill knew nothing.

[Merchant of Venice]

So the stick men won the battle The situation in India seems pretty dire, lets hope the all is well in the America, though i very much doubt it is. Great update as well, really love your battle descriptions.

[IneptCmdr]

Chapter IV: Disaster in the West

Since arriving in America, Henri de Massue's small army had spent the better part of a year doing nothing. The Iroquois threat that had brought them there was no longer as pressing, mostly because of the natives own actions. In their determination to drive the white man from their lands, they had attacked French colonies across Lake Ontario, prompting France to send an army of their own, taking the Iroquois settlement at Cayuga. Weakend by the attack, the Iroquois had retreated back to Niagara, leaving Massue and his men to guard the Pennsylvania border.

Spoiler for Map of America: 

The fact that it was the French that had pushed the enemy back was seen as an embarrassment and to rectify the situation, Massue was ordered to attack the Niagara settlement. A competent commander and one who cared enough about his men to not want to sacrifice them needlessly, Massue objected, knowing that the Iroquois heavily outnumbered him. It was to no avail. In the early spring of 1703, just as the last snow had melted away, the inexperienced British force marched for Niagara.

Battle of Niagara, 1703 (click to view)

Spoiler for Order of Battle:  Commander: Brig Gen Henri de Massue Cavalry: 3rd Regiment of Horse 4th Regiment of Horse Artillery: 1st Foot Artillery 2nd Foot Artillery Infantry: 7th Regiment of Foot 8th Regiment of Foot 9th Regiment of Foot 10th Regiment of Foot Colonial Rangers Massue had set up camp not far from the Iroquois settlement, planning to attack the next day. However, native scouts had already spotted the army moving towards them. Early in the morning, before the sun had climbed the horizon, the British soldiers woke to the sound of hoves in the distance. Forming a crude defensive line, they watched in horror as hundreds of enemy lancers emerged from the tree line and charged towards them. On the right, the 8th & 9th Foot quickly formed square to counter the cavalry charge, but the opposition was overwhelming and the formations soon broke. Seeing his men being slaughtered in the chaos that was the right flank, Massue sent the 3rd & 4th Horse to assist them. Through sheer grit and determination, the combined force managed to repel the enemy attack and stabilise the line, but suffered huge losses in the process. The 4th Horse was down to 11 men, forcing them to withdraw. The 8th Foot had lost two thirds of their strength, but remained on the field and fought through the rest of the battle, a feat that earned them the nickname "The Iron Regiment". The Iroquois cavalry had been dealt with, but the fight was far from over. While the last of the defeated lancers fled, a large mass of native warriors spilled out over the field. Armed with axes, bows and muskets, they launched a vicious attack. Thousands of arrows fell on the British, piercing their red uniforms, as the soldiers fought back against the fearsom enemy. All along the line, the Iroquois closed in, turning the battle into a bloody brawl. Bayonets met axe blades as the two sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat. While it seemed that the British were fighting a loosing battle, they did have one big advantage over the natives; artillery. Positioned on high ground, the two batteries of 12-lber cannon let loose with round shot and canister, wreaking havoc upon the enemy warriors. Guarded by a company of colonial rangers that had joined Massue's force, the guns kept firing continuously, slowly wearing down the Iroquois, until the barrage finally broke them. Chasing after the routing warriors, the 3rd Horse relentlessly cut them down as they ran for safety. In a last, desperate attempt to fight back, a group of bowmen hiding among some trees, ambushed the British cavalry and forced it to return to its own line. It was a short-lived success, however, as an artillery strike quickly dispersed the bowmen, ending their resitance.

Massue had won the battle, but it was a Pyrrhic victory. With heavy casualties, he did not have enough men to continue the attack on the settlement. Worse yet, the French had perceived the attack as a threat to their colonies and fearing a British invasion, declared war on both Great Britain and its ally, the Thirteen Colonies. With two French armies waiting across the border and a third one on its way, Massue was forced to retreat, rendering the victory over the Iroquois pointless.

Left with no other option, the War Office ordered the beaten army to return to England. Massue was, rather undeservingly, blamed for the debacle and subsequently relieved of command. His successor, Brigadier General Kevin McDowell, was not a greatly skilled officer, but he knew the politics of the military and saw Massue's misfortune as an opportunity to further his own career. Speaking to the right people and pulling the right strings, McDowell found himself in command, although it would take another year before he got to exercise his new leadership.

Britain now desperately needed to do two things. The first was to reinforce Churchill in India, in order to prevent a second disaster. Thus, four new infantry regiments and one regiment of dragoons was sent east. The second thing needed done was to deliver a decisive victory to show France that Britain was still strong. In the summer of 1703, a French blockade of Rotterdam presented a chance to do just that. A fleet of six ships, lead by Vice Admiral John Leake, immediately left Portsmouth and set sail for the Dutch port.

Battle of Rotterdam, 1703 (click to view)

Spoiler for Order of Battle:  Commander: Vice Admiral John Leake Ships of the Line: Barfleur Fox Hector Sachem Warrior Leake's fleet was superior in both numbers and firepower. It consisted of the Vice Admiral's flagship, the 48-gun Hector, accompanied by the 58-gun Barfleur, Fox, Sachem & Warrior and the brig Sceptre. Facing them were the French 48-gun Protecteur, Trajan & Vétéran and the brig Le Redoutable. With wind in their sails, the British ships quickly moved in. The Barfleur was the first to get into range. She delivered a devestating broadside to the Vétéran which left a gaping wound in the ship's hull. Despite this, the French managed to return fire, inflicting some damage on their opponent. One by one, the other ships joined the battle. Struggling against the wind, the French fleet soon found itself surrounded. The already damaged Vétéran and the lightly armoured Le Redoutable were quickly disabled. Unable to escape, the remaining French vessels concentrated their fire on the Barfleur. Suffering heavily under the barrage, the Barfleur tried to break off from the fight, but a French cannonball had struck her under the waterline and she was taking in water. With the crew unable to stop the flood, the proud ship began to sink. In a mere few minutes it was over. A field of debris, marking the spot where she went down, was all that was left. While the Barfleur sank to the bottom, the other ships of the Royal Navy had subdued the Protecteur and were now targeting the Trajan. In a last act of bravery, the French attempted a boarding maneuver, closing up alongside the Sachem. It was unsuccessful and the crew surrendered to the British.

With the victory at Rotterdam, the British had sent a message to France that they were still a force to be reckoned with. The captured ships were brought back to Portsmouth and displayed as trophies to reinvigorate the sense of patriotism among the population while at the same time drawing attention away from the recent events in America. Later, the Protecteur and the Trajan were restored and included into the fleet, adding insult to injury for the French. Insults alone would not win the war though, and without a land-based force, the British could do nothing to prevent French assaults on the colonies. In the shadow of the success at sea, the British army slowly recuperated, while its leaders waited for good news from India. If Churchill could provide another victory, it would hopefully enable the resources needed to fight the war with France.

[Merchant of Venice]

Another great chapter. good to see some more info on the American war. Already, I think you battle writing has improved, your battle reports are definitely thrilling and a real joy to read. This chapter was also of good length.

You might want to not put your battles in spoilers. Spoilers tend to put people off and for some people it is just another annoying thing to click. Just a suggestion

[IneptCmdr]

Another great chapter. good to see some more info on the American war. Already, I think you battle writing has improved, your battle reports are definitely thrilling and a real joy to read. This chapter was also of good length.

You might want to not put your battles in spoilers. Spoilers tend to put people off and for some people it is just another annoying thing to click. Just a suggestion

Thank you Merchant, I really appreciate your input. Interesting point about the use of spoilers. Personally, I prefer when AARs wrap the more image heavy parts in spoilers but I can see why some people find it irritating. I might try a different layout in future updates.

[Merchant of Venice]

It is good when bigger pictures are in spoilers but considering that your pictures aren't that big i don't think a spoiler is necessary. But that is my opinion.