A place under the sun - a Brittish AAR

Chapter one - Under a tropical sun.
Part I ​

The port of Madras​

Madras, January 26

The tropical winter had always been a delight for those originated from such a wet, windswept island as Great Brittain. The climate in Madras was always mild at least, but never got too hot. The major backside of the weather in India was the monsoon, that swepped along the coast from June to September and occasionally caused floods. It was January now, however, and the monsoon had ended a few months ago. The doors and windows of the governor's house were wide open, in an attempt to cool it down. The large white mansion stood on a small hill overlooking the town and it's fortress; Fort St. George. Behind the house the governors own ricefields started.

The governor of Madras, Warren Hastings, was a fairly young man. He had joined the East India Company as a clerk at the ago of eightteen and was promoted from Resident (vice-governor) of Murshidabad to Governor of Madras in 1764. He claimed the tropical sun kept him youthful, and in fact he only returned to England twice - the last time was four years ago. He loved this land, and he also loved it's people. Well, not all of them, ofcourse. The continuing unrest and rebellions in and around Calcutta kept him awake for quite some nights. He had suggested a punishment expedition for several times, but so far the Board refused to send anymore troops. Untill last month, that is. When he heard that the Company was to send a colonial army to India, he had been excited...

"Governor, a merchants brought word from Lindey".

Hastings looked at his secretary, who had rushed into his office.

"Herbert, take it easy", he said polite.

"Sir, you don't understand! The governor reported that the colonial conscription is nearly finished, and that the army will be assembled within a month or two".

"That's good news, Herbert, but it still means more waiting".

"Indeed, sir..."

The governor had had double feelings about the Company's plans. Sure, it would be profitable and comforting if the Chinese boycots would be broken, but Hastings had his doubts. Mainly, he had been disappointed when he heard that 'Whitehall' had refused to send men from Europe, and instead conscripted volunteers from the subdued tribes in South Africa. Sure, these black men were fierce and strong warriors, and most had been loyal to the Company (due to the promise of loot), but they were an unruly bunch and had little knowledge of western weaponry. The Company had used African troops before, but then they fought against their own kind, savage like themselves. King George III himself had requested that Hastings would lead the armies in the comming war. Apparently the king had thought to do Hastings a favor. Warren Hastings had accepted the task to please the king, and reasoned that, if things would work out, he would put the army in action in India afterwards.

"Herbert, wait. I'll write a note to Lindey. Make sure it gets on the next boat to Africa".

The secretary nodded. He waited for his master to write the letter, and then reviewed it. He nodded and put his lorgnettes down.

"Sir, if you mind, I can write a letter to Calcutta. They might be pleased to hear they might get some reinforcements".

Governor Hastings laughed, and patted his secretary on the shoulder. The man left the office with a smile.

There was one thing that hadn't crossed Hastings mind. The Chinese had occupied quite a stretch of land in Bengal as well, on the other side of the Ganges. The Bengals called it Chandarnagar, and Hastings reasoned it would make a valuable asset to the Company's colonies. How could he have forgotten?

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The HMS Britannia is escorted to Capetown by the HMS Anson​

Capetown, February 9, 1768

The HMS Britannia ran aground just when we approached Capetown! According to the maps there shouldn't even be any rifs or sandbanks here! The ship must have quite a powerful guardian angel, though, as the great ship's damage is fairly minor. The Antelope and us (the Vanguard) managed to pull the ship off the bank, and pulled it to Capetown. Days of supplied, as well as weapons and other cargo were brought over to the Vanguard and the Antelope for the time being, and tomorrow shall be brought to the Capetown arsenal. Vice Admiral Hawke certainly lost quite a bit of his ego together with some hullpieces and crewmen. I haven't seen him since we arrived here, yesterday evening. One of my midshipmen claimed that the poor men locked himself in his cabin and drunk his entire rum supply. According to Commodore Wells, repairs on the Britannia will be completed within a week. A shame Capetown only has a small warf - far to small for a first-rate like the Britannia - and thus it might need to get repaired again when we finally reach Lindey. When my deck is cleared from Hawke's cargo again, I'll take the oppurtunity to get some oranges and wine... Yes, wine for the Cape is said to be wonderful!

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Port Cambridge, February 24, 1768

With the Britannia limping, the journey goes very slow. We reached Port Cambridge, a town about halfway between Capetown. Should restock and arrive in Lindey. Hawke refused to slow down, after Commodore Wells offered to sail ahead together with us to reach Lindey on time. Wells and Hawke got in an argument when we got here. I choose not to get involved. I wonder how we are ever to get to Madras this way...

Vice Admiral Hawke​

Played ahead for a couple of years, and can reveal the mission won't be a complete failure, although some unexpected events forced me to shift my focus on another area first. Oh well, there's always a second change

Will try and post something tomorrow

Chapter one - Under a tropical sun.
Part II​

Lindi/Lindey, March 8, 1768

We arrived in Lindi (or Lindey, as Hawke keeps calling it) and we were welcomed by Colonel Broom, the head of the Colonial Expeditionary Army as far as it's assembled, as well as the local governor. Governor George Sims invited Hawke and Wells for diner, and apparently told them that the African conscription doesn't go as fast as planned. Though the army was completely created now, the problem was to get these men to Lindi. Spring rains whiped away the few roads - tracks, rather - in this forgotten part of the world, and the colony seriously lacks horses.

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It would take until early october before the army has assembled and was equipped and trained well enough to fight anything larger than chickens. Then the entire colonial army, over 20.000 men strong, was shipped over from Lindi to Madras. Hawke's fleet (which had arrived two weeks after him) and the African Fleet (that was stationed in Lindi and Fort Elisabeth on New Brittain) sailed across the Indian Ocean for a couple of times. On the 24th of November Commodore Wells escorted the final fleet of transport ships into the enlarged harbour of Madras, and the time for war had drawn near. However, Hastings refused to send his new armies off to distant, alien China before he knew he had his back covered.

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"Governor... these Indians pose no thread to us", Vice Admiral Hawke repeated. "You should know. You live here for years".

"I do know them, Admiral. That's why I'm concerned. They might not pose a thread to us now, but they're oppurtunistic. Not to mention they don't like Europeans".

"For heaven's sake, Warren! These savages are armed with spears and... harquebusses!"

"There are millions of them! Listen... sir, I feel no need to need to argue. I'm tasked by His Majesty the King himself to protect the Brittish interrests in the East, and that's what I'm going to do".

Vice Admiral Hawke opened his mouth, reconsidered, closed it again and ended up saying "Fine".
The old admiral looked at the young governor. His aged eyes pierced through the man, as if he tried to see through the governor.

"Listen Admiral, I have no need to leave all these men to defend Madras. That's useless, I know that. Only one regiment, maybe a second, is all I require to defend Madras and Trankebar in case the Indians shift their loyality. I'll dispatch an envoy to their court to see if they're interrested in more... peaceful relations".

The old Vice Admiral nodded. "That sounds fine. Good to have that issue out of our way". He wanted to turn away.

"Wait, Hawke... I mean, Admiral... There is one more thing. Something rather important".

"Well?"

"There's an area northwest of Calcutta called Chandarnagar. It's China's foothold in India, and we would be nuts not to take it".

"The Admirality never said anything about a Chinese trading post in India".

"I doubt they know of it. It's quite a couple of leagues inland along the Hoogly river. Beyond Calcutta, near the Bengal lands. Apart from the fact we will remove a lot of Chinese influence in India and sieze their riches, it will also be a significant addition to our Benga colony".

Vice Admiral Hawke considered Hastings' words, before he slowly nodded. "Then Chandan... uhm, this tradepost shall be it's first target. With another major settlement along the Hoogly, we might actually get a grip on the natives".

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Madras, January 3, 1769

Today the news came in from the Homeland. The great news is that the Croatian rebels on the Istrian peninsula were defeated, and the city of Pula retaken. When I left Queensborough about a year ago, the numerous revolts in the Mediterenian Territories nearly brought the Brittish influence in the Mediterenian to an end, but through brave intervention of Admiral Hood, the Mediterenian fleet will continue to rule the sea. Another, somewhat strange message also got my attention. The Royal Society (for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge) ordered a scientific mission to the Far East to observe a kind of astronomical anamoly, and then return to here. The mission is said to be led by the renowed navigator Captain James Cook. I talked about this to Wells, and he believes that the Admirality sends Cook here to map the Indian coasts. Hawke should know. Today my lieutenant, Reed, managed to fully supply the Vanguard, to much rejoice of the crew. I personally believe that a satisfied, well-fed crew is a loyal and hardworking crew. It's a shame not every officer agrees. I can imagine Vice Admiral Hawke starving his disloyal crewmembers to make them dependent. It happened before.

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Madras, January 5, 1769

I spoke to Vice Admiral Hawke today. He told me captain Cook would indeed join our operation in the East. He also trusted me with the information that he was planning of blocking the Malacca Straits, and he wants Cook to sail across the coast to spot Chinese ships. It seems Hawke (and Wells, and apparenly the rest of the Admirality) is concerned with the Chinese Navy, which is said to be gigantic. The Chinese kingdom of Da Shun is said to have a fleet to match the Dutch one. However, their junks are worthless on open seas and their armament is rather outdated. If you ask me, a simple blockade would do the trick.

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Calcutta, June 12, 1769

The Colonial Expeditionary Army is brought to Brittish West Bengal. The fleet is to make sure no Chinese ship leaves the mouth of the Hoogly River, and to make sure Chinese ship even comes near the Bengal Coast. Vice admiral Hawke believes the Chinese might try to evacuate their treasury by ship. The Vanguard and Antilope, together with a half dozen brigs and cutters from Africa are to sail as far inland as possible, while Hawke on the HMS Britannia and the rest of the fleet guard Calcutta. According to the local calendar, the monsoon will soon start, meaning it will rain all day. Governor Hastings - sorry, Major General Hastings (as he left Madras) - assured me not to attack before it's over. The HMS Antelope will make landfall halfway between Calcutta and Chandarnagar next week, and the scouts on board will then scout the trading post. That is all I needed to know, or so Hawke told me. I wish Commodore Wells was here, but he remained in Madras.

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Banki Bazar, June 20, 1769

The HMS Antelope stranded on a sandbank. A fair part of it's crew rowed back to Calcutta to report. The French scouts dispatched to 'spy' on the Chinese still remain in the jungle. The Vanguard will take them to Calcutta, as well as the rest of the Antelope's crew, but the ship is presumed lost. I believe the ship's captain, Graves, is rather disappointed. He was always been proud of his ship's low keel. There are plans to use the Antelope's wood to build a small fortress here, in this native village called Banki Bazar. I doubt Hawke will send more ships-of-the-line inland. These rivers might be wide, they sure are very shallow.

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Calcutta, November 25, 1769

The time for war is here. Hastings left north with his army, which is dubbed the 'Black guard' by most officers as a reference to most soldier's skincolour. I never knew these savages could be so disciplined! They almost look like normal people. However, it appears they have trouble adapting to these environments, as they are used to dry plains and mountains, and this is moist rainforest. Hastings plans to attack from the new fortress in Banki Bazar and hopes to take the whole area under control by the end of January. Commodore Wells has begun to patrol along the coast between Madras and here, and the HMS Vanguard will join him when he arrives in Calcutta.

In November 1769 the time for preperations is finished. I declared war on Da Shun for not letting me trade with their CoT in Nanjing, and they were supported by China, Da Xi (another Chinese vassal) and Cambodia. My first objective was the Chinese held province across the Ganges from Calcutta. I also prepared an invasion on the Chinese tradepost on the Azores from France, but nearly forgot about it and ended up making two failed invasions and a succesfull third in 1771. The Chinese also held areas on Sumatra and the Malacca peninsula, which would be my secondary objectives, as well as a tradepost on Flores (north of Timor). However, I would have make a premature peace with China as I would be forced to change my theatre of operations within a few years... (yeap, another cliffhanger, I love to keep the suspense Also, my 'unexpected event' won't happen for a year or two.

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A small Brittish ship on the Ganges in the early morning, just before the assault on Chandarnagar​

At sunrise nearly 20.000 black redcoats stormed the fortified city of Chandarnagar. The alarm sounded in the Chinese settlement, but by the time the garrison had been assembled the battle had already been lost. Hastings men tore down the city's heavy palisade walls with elephants and broke down the few wooden watchtowers. The Chinese captain - Pei Lin - quickly understood he was was outmanned and outgunned, and little defendable places. As the British expeditionary forces marched into the city unchallanged, the Chinese soldiers fled into the jungle. The city was taken in a matter of hours, but then again, the odds were uneven. Hastings army had four times as many men, the element of surprise, and a serious technological advantage. Captain Pei Lin's men headed north along the Hoogly rive, to China's second settlement in India, Chulna.

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"Gov... Commander, we spoke to the natives", Colonel Broom said, as he entered the governor's tent.

Hastings looked up from his desk. "Well?" He inquired.

"They say all the Chinese left. Even the civilians".

"That's impossible". Hastings insisted. "Thousands of Chinese can't just disappear out of the blue, or we would have noticed". He attacked the city from three sides. It was unlikely that a group of people would get past the expeditionary force unnoticed, and unlikelier that a thousand civilians could. "Search every hovel, every warehouse and every ricebowl if you need to. It's impossible they could leave without a trace".

Colonel Broom nodded. "Yes sir... uhm, the natives also say that the city guards fled north, long the river. they claim there's another Chinese settlement there".

Hastings grunted. "Just what we needed... Fine, colonel, I leave in change here. Make sure you find these merchants". He stood up from his desk, and looked at his colonel. "I'll assemble a hundred men and see if I can find their trails". The governor straightened his uniform and looked in the mirror. He had hoped this would be a simple battle. He had hoped to surprise the Chinese and encircle them, but these people had clearly found their way through, and escaped.

"Why go through that trouble, commander?"

"Why? Because they're mine, damnit!"

Broom stared at his commander in disbelieve, and feared the young man might have lost his mind to megalomania.

"Commander..."

"Colonel, the Chinese must not escape. If they find sanctuary into the wilds, they might turn against us. Even call the aid of the muslims around here".

Colonel Broom mumbled something, and then nodded. "Yes sir, I shall essemble some search parties".

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The Chinese guards simple disappeared. Hastings followed them to Chulna, but by the time he arrived there the town was deserted and all valuables were taken. His trackers found trails of two groups, one heading north - to Bengal - and the second one led across the river, towards the east. For two days, Hastings' troops followed the path east, but bad weather and disease forced the Brittish to return to Fort Bank. Warren Hastings was seriously disgruntled, and feared the worst; that the Chinese would get reinforcements from Bengal. Meanwhile, Colonel Broom had equal luck finding traces of the Chinese civilians.

The Chinese guard captain Pei Lin had successfully warned the Chulna garrison, which evacuated the Chinese civilians north along the Hoogly river together with the guards from Chandarnagar. Pei Lin himself had gathered a significant force and crossed the Hoogly, the travelled east towards the Bengali city of Baugda. The muslims of Bengal had always been on good terms with the Chinese merchants along the Hoogly, and not to mention had distrusted the Brittish every since they sold Kolkata.

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Captain Pei Lin of the Chandarnagar guard​

"Honorable captain", the governor of Baugda welcomed Pei Lin, "What brings you here?"

"It's the Westeners, excellence", Pei Lin said in broken arab. "They raided our settlements without cause".

The governor looked surprised. "They certainly have quite some guts then, captain. And you seek the aid of the Sultanate of Bengal to reclaim these settlements, I assume?"

"There are many of them, excellence. Their soldiers are black savaged I've never seen before. It's like they are demons. I don't think even the army of Bengal can repel them. Not in a conventional way, at least".

The governor sat up straight. "What are you suggesting, Chinese?"

"Excellence, I have a plan. Their base of power in India is also said to be their weakest point. I believe that if we take that city, their whole expedition will fall apart", Pei Lin said.

"Are you referring to Kolkata?" the governor inquired. The city of Kolkata - or Calcutta as the Brittish had named it - had always been a thorn in his side. It controlled most of the Ganges river trade, and many of his subjects had moved to the city to free themselves from his rather oppresive reign.

"That's right, excellence", Pei Lin said. "If you can lend me a few thousand men, I believe we can make the muslims of Kolkata rebel against the Brittish, and break their base of power here. The city will fall back to you, ofcourse".

The governor of Baugda was inmediately convinced, and ordered his page to get his master-of-arms.

The travels of Pei Lin and the rest of the Chinese refugees​

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Calcutta, January 21, 1770

Governor Warren Hastings' expeditionary army is being shipped into the African fleet, commanded by Vice Admiral Hawke. After taking Chandarnagar, it had been the governor's plan to take more Chinese settlements outside their homeland. Hawke told me that the governor is setting sail to Parak, a large Portugese colony on the Malacca peninsula. The Chinese are said to have a settlement on the other side of the peninsula, along the South Chinese Sea. The HMS Vanguard will stay in India, still under the command of Commodore Wells. It will be our task to patrol the coast. It seems Vice Admiral Hawke is afraid the Chinese will retake Chandarnagar by sea. It's no secret that the Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar allowed the Chinese to take refuse in their kingdom. Governor Hastings has tried to improve relations with Vijayanagar ever since, in order for them to revoke their support for the Chinese. As we are not in the possition of fighting a war on both fronts, we should be wary of Vijayagar's behavour. Wells instructed also to watch out for their ships.

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Madras, February 17, 1770

Commodore Townshend arrived in Madras to reinforce our fleet. Vice Admiral Hawke and Rear Admiral Cook closed the Straits for Malacca for all ships, he said. By closing these straits it would be very difficult for any Chinese ship to sail to India, as they would have to sail around Sumatra. According to Townshend the straits between Sumatra are Java is controlled by Javan pirates, who are not on good terms with the Chinese.

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Madras, February 18, 1770

The HMS Vanguard will be leading the fleet in the Bengal Sea. Commodore Wells has taken quarters on board, but has left me in charge, thank god. The Vanguard will escort five other ships of the line between Madras and Parek, past the northern point of Sumatra, which is known as Ajeh. Commodore Townshend will take command of the Indian coastal patrols. Some of my midshipsmen have doubt about the route, and I must admit I'm not content either. The people of Ajeh are known for their vigor and their pirates are legendary. It would be a very bad situation if we would fight the Ajehans as well.

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Perak, Februari 27, 1770

No sign of pirates, but the weather has become worse. Two of our ships have sufferered significant damage, and must remain in the Portugese docks for at least two weeks. The HMS Vanguard will sail back to Madras as soon as possible. According to Rear Admiral Cook, several Chinese ships had been spotted along the coast, and managed to slip past our fleet. So far, the blockade has only been mildly successful, though it disturbs trade between India and China. Wells is worried that this might upset the Indians in perticular.

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Madras, March 7, 1770

We discovered a small group of Chinese ships off the coast of Orissa. They were large ships, far to slow for our fast frigates and the third-rate Vanguard. They appeared to be lightly armed, and they lowered their sails as a sign to surrender when they spotted us. It appeared these ships carried nearly 2000 Chinese civilians, who had fled Chandarnagar and were to return back to China. Commodore Wells took the civilians and the ship's crews custody, and then ordered to burn down the ships to prevent them for escaping. We killed much of the crew as they tried to resist. Now, it remains a problem what to do with these Chinese civilians. We can't just kill them, can we? Well, that's Townshend's problem now, as the HMS Vanguard is to return to Perak again.

A Portugese outpost in the north of Perak that would become the base of Hawke and Hastings' Malaccan expedition. A few years later the East India Company would buy the outpost and name it Georgetown.​

It's alive! This AAR is, though updates might still not be very frequent. The war started, and my main concern was that Calcutta and Madras would be invaded or fall in the hands of rebels, as that would limit my infuence in India even further. I left small garrisons in Madras and Chandarnagar of 2000 and 4000 men, knowing I couldn't miss more men, and hoping it would last until Hastings would return. A man can hope, right?

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stnylan said:

Not much excitement really for our diarist. Not compared to what is going on ashore.

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Poor captain Lucky for him he'll get into action soon enough

Duke of Wellington said:

The case of the disappearing Chinese. Excellent chapter. This AAR is one of the best on here. It's great quality well worth the wait between updates.

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Chinese never stay hidden for soo long