March – May 1761 – Grinding the French !
In March 1761, I try to trap Loki100.
I noticed that Loki100 has a tendancy to put Montcalm INSIDE the structure in Montréal. I am going to use this fact to “surprise” siege him :
Lord Howe and 5000 men (I took the best units - the "low strength units" will remain in Trois-Rivieres) will rush to Montréal and set a siege while there is no one to defend the province. This is a risky move, so Lord Howe will be in defensive posture (not very useful as he will switch to offensive anyway when he enters enemy territory) and will defend and retreat (ROE) if he meets anything. “Defend and retreat” means he will destroy small groups before he thinks of retreating, but if he meets Montcalm himself he will cut his loses.
I used Lord Howe to reduce the length of the march, but once arrived, Murray and his outstanding defense stats will kick in :
He will use another route, so will arrive first, and he has no less than 6 in defense !
I also move escorted supplies in the province between Montréal and Trois-Rivières :
Why am I taking this risk ? Well, my move on Montréal can have two results :
- Either the move is successful, and my troops will need supply to do the siege. In which case I will build a depot in Joliette (that’s the name in the province) – remember that units can draw supplies from adjacent provinces – most probable case.
- Or the move is not successful, my army will retreat in Joliette – and at least my troops will be able to fortify to stop the French while being sheltered (the following turn), without losing “one turn of fortify” when moving to Trois-Rivières.
I need to build more depot anyway, as I saturated Trois-Rivieres (3 depots) and STILL don’t have enough supplies.
Then April… well, I just destroyed the savefile while manipulating it to do the screenshoots. I am sorry. Long story short :
- Loki100 ordered Montcalm out of the structure, so Lord Howe preferred NOT to fight at all and retreated to Joliette, no loss in strength but the force is exhausted by the march. I am building a depot, but I am under stress : will Montcalm try to follow up ?
- Lord Howe and Roger rangers are sent to Fort saint Frédérick to fetch reinforcements; Murray will lead the troops in defense. I need his 6 in defense.
In May, my army is now well-retrenched in Joliette, so I can afford to move to Quebec with the second part of my army :
The second army is not in a very good state, but I don’t believe the enemy forces are strong enough to try to break such a siege. Yet again, I hope Loki100 will not sortie his troops just before I arrive.
Troops are arriving :
Supplies… Joliette will become a large city soon…
Also, in the South, English marshes are taken back by the English :
I remember it is the last combat in the Deep South… I never caught the Cherokees.