Edited some. Better?
It was effectively a Prussian victory, even though they didn't take the field. The goal was to stop any real chance of Austria pushing into the rest of Silesia during this year.
A Different Roll of the Dice
- Thread starter 0100010
- Start date
Edited some. Better?
It was effectively a Prussian victory, even though they didn't take the field. The goal was to stop any real chance of Austria pushing into the rest of Silesia during this year.
Chapter 30: 1759 part 6
Fate of the Mediterranean
In spring, Admiral Osborne finally received more ships to strengthen the Gibraltar-Mediterranean fleet but it was still less than what he originally wanted, along with instructions to make another attempt at blockading Toulon. Other troubling news Osborne received was reports that the new Spanish King was being less friendly to British interests, and beginning a recruitment of troops, and constructing a few new naval vessels ships in their dockyards. Also that Spain was putting pressure on the new Queen of Portugal to curb their relations with Britain.
Regardless of his worries, Osborne sent out with a strong fleet to blockade Toulon, though when he arrived there was not as many ships in the harbor as he hoped. Admiral Osborne was able to maintain the blockade from March 29th and through all the month of April and part of May, before getting reports that a few of his at sea resupply ships had been sunk or captured by a large French fleet between the French coast and Minorca.
Naval Action of April 25th
French ships under Admiral La Clue sunk and capturef four British frigates. The HMS Jason (44), and HMS Centuar (24) were sunk in action, HMS Unicorn (28) and HMS Blandford (20) were captured along with two British supply ships of less than 20 guns. The damaged HMS Greyhound (24) made it to the British blockade fleet to report the event, while other surviving British supply ships fled back to Gibraltar. Minimal French fleet damaged was incurred.
Clear French Victory.
Battle of Toulon
On May 7th, a few days after British Admiral Henry Osbourne had gotten word of the Naval actions of April 25th, Admiral La Clue arrived with the majority of the French (and unexpectedly) an Austrian Fleet, and bore down on the British blockade fleet. While the two fleets were engaged, several French ships that had been trapped in the harbor by the blockade ventured out to assist.
French Fleet: 18 Ships of the line, 7 Frigates, 12 ships of less than 20 guns (half in harbor)
Foudroyant (80), Ocean (80), Conquerant (74), Temeraine (74), Culloden (74) (ex-british)*, Redoubtable (74), Guerrier (74)*, Hector (74), Centaure (74), Souverain (74), Saint-Espirit (74)*, Modeste (64), Sage (64), Saint Anne (64)*, Valliant (64), St. Albans (60) (ex-british)*, Fier (60), Oriflamme (50), Roebuck (44) (ex-british)*, Ambushcade (40)*, Pleiade (32)*, Chimere (30), Minerve (30), Oiseau (30), Gracieuse (26)
*These ships were trapped in harbor at the time of the blockade, some of which (ex-british and ships in prior battles) were in various states of repair, and had limited participation in the battle.
Austrian Fleet: 1 Ship of the line, 5 frigates, 3 ships of less than 20 guns*
Santa Barbara (70), Austria (40), San Leopoldo (40), Vienna (30), Pegaso (30), Delphino (30)
*(I could find little information on Austria’s Navy during this period so much of this is made up, but I did choose ship names that did exist at various later (or unknown) points in time OTL during the 18th-19th century.)
British Fleet: 13 Ships of the line, 9 frigates, 10 ships of less than 20 guns
St. George (90), Ramillies (90), Monarch (74) (ex-french), Resolution (74), Temple (70), Essex (70), Monmouth (70), Swiftsure (70), Hampton Court (66), Lion (64) (ex-french), Jersey (60), Princess Louisa (58), Guernsey (50), Enterprise (44), Torrington (44), Eltham (40), Diana (32), Thames (32), Actaeon (28), Lizard (28), Greyhound (24) (damaged), Mercury (20)
A fierce exchange of fire lasting most of the day damaged both fleets, and some British ships chased too far to the French coastal defenses took heavy fire. It soon became clear that the battle would be a loss for the British as several ships became crippled or sank. Osborne issued a retreat, and were pursued by the French for several days afterwards all the way to Gibraltar. As before however, the French broke off pursuit as the British neared the defenses of the great rock.
Austrian Losses: 1/3 of their fleet moderately damaged. No ships lost.
French Losses: Half the surviving fleet suffered moderate to heavy damage.
Sunk in Action: Temeraine (74), Fier (60), 2 ships of less than 20 guns.
Condemned after damage assessment: Roebuck (44), Ambushcade (40), 1 ship of less than 20 guns.
British Losses: 2/3rds of the surviving fleet suffered moderately to heavy damage, the remaining suffered light damage. Not a single British ship of the line or frigate returned to Gibraltar unscathed.
Sunk in action: St. George (90), Lion (64), Lizard (28), 1 ship of less than 20 guns.
Condemned after damage assessment: Monarch (74), Eltham (40)
Captured by French: Princess Louisa (58), Diana (32), Greyhound (24)*, 3 Ships of less than 20 guns.
*The Greyhound (24), was later condemned by the French due to the extent of damage.
Decisive French Victory
As a result of this loss of this important battle several things occurred affecting the rest of the war. Admiral Osborne was recalled to London to face an inquiry, and would not return to Gibraltar for the remainder of the war.
Great Britain would not make another attempt to blockade the French Mediterranean coast for the remainder of the war. The Atlantic blockade would be lightened in order to reinforce Gibraltar. This allowed for an increase in much needed French Atlantic trade during 1759-1760, as more goods could slip through the British net.
Britain would pursue a policy of containing the French Fleet inside the Mediterranean Sea. Additional diplomatic efforts would be put upon Portugal to keep them pro-British, especially in light of Spain starting to take a more anti-British stance. The Levant Company was official folded in August of 1759.
The presence and participation of Austrian ships at the Battle of Toulon would finally result in Parliament issuing and delivering a formal declaration of war against Austria on August 1st 1759.
In spring, Admiral Osborne finally received more ships to strengthen the Gibraltar-Mediterranean fleet but it was still less than what he originally wanted, along with instructions to make another attempt at blockading Toulon. Other troubling news Osborne received was reports that the new Spanish King was being less friendly to British interests, and beginning a recruitment of troops, and constructing a few new naval vessels ships in their dockyards. Also that Spain was putting pressure on the new Queen of Portugal to curb their relations with Britain.
Regardless of his worries, Osborne sent out with a strong fleet to blockade Toulon, though when he arrived there was not as many ships in the harbor as he hoped. Admiral Osborne was able to maintain the blockade from March 29th and through all the month of April and part of May, before getting reports that a few of his at sea resupply ships had been sunk or captured by a large French fleet between the French coast and Minorca.
Naval Action of April 25th
French ships under Admiral La Clue sunk and capturef four British frigates. The HMS Jason (44), and HMS Centuar (24) were sunk in action, HMS Unicorn (28) and HMS Blandford (20) were captured along with two British supply ships of less than 20 guns. The damaged HMS Greyhound (24) made it to the British blockade fleet to report the event, while other surviving British supply ships fled back to Gibraltar. Minimal French fleet damaged was incurred.
Clear French Victory.
Battle of Toulon
On May 7th, a few days after British Admiral Henry Osbourne had gotten word of the Naval actions of April 25th, Admiral La Clue arrived with the majority of the French (and unexpectedly) an Austrian Fleet, and bore down on the British blockade fleet. While the two fleets were engaged, several French ships that had been trapped in the harbor by the blockade ventured out to assist.
French Fleet: 18 Ships of the line, 7 Frigates, 12 ships of less than 20 guns (half in harbor)
Foudroyant (80), Ocean (80), Conquerant (74), Temeraine (74), Culloden (74) (ex-british)*, Redoubtable (74), Guerrier (74)*, Hector (74), Centaure (74), Souverain (74), Saint-Espirit (74)*, Modeste (64), Sage (64), Saint Anne (64)*, Valliant (64), St. Albans (60) (ex-british)*, Fier (60), Oriflamme (50), Roebuck (44) (ex-british)*, Ambushcade (40)*, Pleiade (32)*, Chimere (30), Minerve (30), Oiseau (30), Gracieuse (26)
*These ships were trapped in harbor at the time of the blockade, some of which (ex-british and ships in prior battles) were in various states of repair, and had limited participation in the battle.
Austrian Fleet: 1 Ship of the line, 5 frigates, 3 ships of less than 20 guns*
Santa Barbara (70), Austria (40), San Leopoldo (40), Vienna (30), Pegaso (30), Delphino (30)
*(I could find little information on Austria’s Navy during this period so much of this is made up, but I did choose ship names that did exist at various later (or unknown) points in time OTL during the 18th-19th century.)
British Fleet: 13 Ships of the line, 9 frigates, 10 ships of less than 20 guns
St. George (90), Ramillies (90), Monarch (74) (ex-french), Resolution (74), Temple (70), Essex (70), Monmouth (70), Swiftsure (70), Hampton Court (66), Lion (64) (ex-french), Jersey (60), Princess Louisa (58), Guernsey (50), Enterprise (44), Torrington (44), Eltham (40), Diana (32), Thames (32), Actaeon (28), Lizard (28), Greyhound (24) (damaged), Mercury (20)
A fierce exchange of fire lasting most of the day damaged both fleets, and some British ships chased too far to the French coastal defenses took heavy fire. It soon became clear that the battle would be a loss for the British as several ships became crippled or sank. Osborne issued a retreat, and were pursued by the French for several days afterwards all the way to Gibraltar. As before however, the French broke off pursuit as the British neared the defenses of the great rock.
Austrian Losses: 1/3 of their fleet moderately damaged. No ships lost.
French Losses: Half the surviving fleet suffered moderate to heavy damage.
Sunk in Action: Temeraine (74), Fier (60), 2 ships of less than 20 guns.
Condemned after damage assessment: Roebuck (44), Ambushcade (40), 1 ship of less than 20 guns.
British Losses: 2/3rds of the surviving fleet suffered moderately to heavy damage, the remaining suffered light damage. Not a single British ship of the line or frigate returned to Gibraltar unscathed.
Sunk in action: St. George (90), Lion (64), Lizard (28), 1 ship of less than 20 guns.
Condemned after damage assessment: Monarch (74), Eltham (40)
Captured by French: Princess Louisa (58), Diana (32), Greyhound (24)*, 3 Ships of less than 20 guns.
*The Greyhound (24), was later condemned by the French due to the extent of damage.
Decisive French Victory
As a result of this loss of this important battle several things occurred affecting the rest of the war. Admiral Osborne was recalled to London to face an inquiry, and would not return to Gibraltar for the remainder of the war.
Great Britain would not make another attempt to blockade the French Mediterranean coast for the remainder of the war. The Atlantic blockade would be lightened in order to reinforce Gibraltar. This allowed for an increase in much needed French Atlantic trade during 1759-1760, as more goods could slip through the British net.
Britain would pursue a policy of containing the French Fleet inside the Mediterranean Sea. Additional diplomatic efforts would be put upon Portugal to keep them pro-British, especially in light of Spain starting to take a more anti-British stance. The Levant Company was official folded in August of 1759.
The presence and participation of Austrian ships at the Battle of Toulon would finally result in Parliament issuing and delivering a formal declaration of war against Austria on August 1st 1759.
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Chapter 31: 1759 part 7
Brandenburg Offensive
In accordance to the terms of their alliance the Duke of Mecklenburg had raised troops to commit to the campaigns against Prussia on (primarily) Sweden’s behalf. 15,000 Mecklenburg troops marched into the Electorate of Brandenburg in May of 1759. A few thousand of those troops had also gone to Western Prussian Pomerania to assist the Swedes in garrisoning their Prussian conquests.
The lightly garrisoned Lenzen, Wittenberge Mayanburg, and Putlitz quickly fell or surrendered to superior Mecklenburg forces. A small army Prussian force in the area though gathered at Pritzwalk, which Mecklenburg was preparing to besiege. Fredrick sent 3,000 of his own soldiers and dispatched orders for 1,000 other to accompany them along the way from the Potsdam and Berlin garrison to break the siege.
Battle of Pritzwalk
On May 26th, 4,000 Prussian soldiers faced off against the 8,000 strong Mecklenburg force in a fierce attack that caught them off guard. Believing they faced a larger force than in actuality, they retreated from the field, but in good order, falling back to Putlitz.
Mecklenburg Forces: ~1,100 casualties
Prussian Forces: ~450 casualties.
Prussian Victory.
In accordance to the terms of their alliance the Duke of Mecklenburg had raised troops to commit to the campaigns against Prussia on (primarily) Sweden’s behalf. 15,000 Mecklenburg troops marched into the Electorate of Brandenburg in May of 1759. A few thousand of those troops had also gone to Western Prussian Pomerania to assist the Swedes in garrisoning their Prussian conquests.
The lightly garrisoned Lenzen, Wittenberge Mayanburg, and Putlitz quickly fell or surrendered to superior Mecklenburg forces. A small army Prussian force in the area though gathered at Pritzwalk, which Mecklenburg was preparing to besiege. Fredrick sent 3,000 of his own soldiers and dispatched orders for 1,000 other to accompany them along the way from the Potsdam and Berlin garrison to break the siege.
Battle of Pritzwalk
On May 26th, 4,000 Prussian soldiers faced off against the 8,000 strong Mecklenburg force in a fierce attack that caught them off guard. Believing they faced a larger force than in actuality, they retreated from the field, but in good order, falling back to Putlitz.
Mecklenburg Forces: ~1,100 casualties
Prussian Forces: ~450 casualties.
Prussian Victory.
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Chapter 32: 1759 part 8
Acadian Retreat Part III
From June to November British Forces would expand their campaigns against the Acadians in the Maritimes, with expeditions up the Penobscot, St. John, Miramichi and Restigouche rivers, and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
On the St. John, Colonel Robert Mockton led 1000 British troops and New England Rangers who were led by Joseph Goreham, Benoni Danks, and Moses Hanzen and Major George Scott. Acadian resistance was led by Joseph Godin-Bellefontaine. Fierce frontier warfare resulted in the deaths of over 80 British soldiers and New England Rangers and the death of George Scott. Over 120 Acadians settlers and militia members were killed and an unknown number of their native allies. At least three villages and camps were burned to the ground. Only 376 Acadians were taken captive and deported to France. Joseph Godin led a retreat of the survivors further inland, abandoning the remaining camps on the river, which the Rangers later burned.
General John Mordaunt led another bloody campaign up the Mirimichi river, taking some 1500 British soldiers and a few dozen rangers. More frontier fighting led to the deaths of 102 British soldiers and 12 New Englanders, and over 270 Acadians. 490 Acadians were taken prisoner and deported.
In comparison to the other Colonel James Wolfe managed to lead a far more peaceful campaign up the Restigouche River and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over 200 fishing vessels were burned, as well as several camps, but no major fighting or massacres were beheld. No deaths of either British or Acadians were had and 260 were taken prisoner to be deported. Remaining Acadians again fled inland.
Along the Penobscot River, the smallest of the refugees retreat locations, 150 Acadians were captured for deportation and only a few camps were burned, without any deaths from fighting. It was conjectured that more could have been done by Amherst had orders to attempt to take Quebec before the end of the year, and began winding the Maritimes campaigns down in early fall in order to prepare for an expedition against Quebec City. He was only awaiting the arrival of crucial supply ships from England before the Quebec campaign could begin.
Out of near 14,000 Acadians in the Maritimes at the start of the war, the British led campaigns resulted in the deportation of some 1,500 Acadians to New England, and around 3,200 Acadians to France. Around 1300 died in the skirmishes or to starvation during the winter while the remaining population integrated into the Native communities, or fled further inland into Quebec.
From June to November British Forces would expand their campaigns against the Acadians in the Maritimes, with expeditions up the Penobscot, St. John, Miramichi and Restigouche rivers, and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
On the St. John, Colonel Robert Mockton led 1000 British troops and New England Rangers who were led by Joseph Goreham, Benoni Danks, and Moses Hanzen and Major George Scott. Acadian resistance was led by Joseph Godin-Bellefontaine. Fierce frontier warfare resulted in the deaths of over 80 British soldiers and New England Rangers and the death of George Scott. Over 120 Acadians settlers and militia members were killed and an unknown number of their native allies. At least three villages and camps were burned to the ground. Only 376 Acadians were taken captive and deported to France. Joseph Godin led a retreat of the survivors further inland, abandoning the remaining camps on the river, which the Rangers later burned.
General John Mordaunt led another bloody campaign up the Mirimichi river, taking some 1500 British soldiers and a few dozen rangers. More frontier fighting led to the deaths of 102 British soldiers and 12 New Englanders, and over 270 Acadians. 490 Acadians were taken prisoner and deported.
In comparison to the other Colonel James Wolfe managed to lead a far more peaceful campaign up the Restigouche River and along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over 200 fishing vessels were burned, as well as several camps, but no major fighting or massacres were beheld. No deaths of either British or Acadians were had and 260 were taken prisoner to be deported. Remaining Acadians again fled inland.
Along the Penobscot River, the smallest of the refugees retreat locations, 150 Acadians were captured for deportation and only a few camps were burned, without any deaths from fighting. It was conjectured that more could have been done by Amherst had orders to attempt to take Quebec before the end of the year, and began winding the Maritimes campaigns down in early fall in order to prepare for an expedition against Quebec City. He was only awaiting the arrival of crucial supply ships from England before the Quebec campaign could begin.
Out of near 14,000 Acadians in the Maritimes at the start of the war, the British led campaigns resulted in the deportation of some 1,500 Acadians to New England, and around 3,200 Acadians to France. Around 1300 died in the skirmishes or to starvation during the winter while the remaining population integrated into the Native communities, or fled further inland into Quebec.
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Chapter 33: 1759 part 9
Battle of Anticosti
As British Field Marshal Jeffrey Amherst, commander of the North American forces, and Admiral Boscawan had suspected; a French Fleet had maintained operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, providing aid and transport to Acadian refugees and continuing to supply them as well as supply Quebec City. A British patrol had been sent out to find and eliminate this fleet prior to the planned invasion of Quebec.
On June 13th, the British fleet found what they were looking for as they came across a French Fleet in open water just off Anticosti Island.
British Fleet: 8 Ships of the line, 4 Frigates
Royal William (84), Princess Amelia (80), Dublin (74), Buford (68), Bedford (64), Sunderland (58), Windsor (58), Sutherland (50), Thetis (44), Adventure (32), Shannon (28), Winchelsea (24)
French Fleet: 2 Ships of the line, 2 Frigates
Illustre (64), Apollon (58), Pomone (30), Fidele (24)
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the French managed to put up a good fight. Before being overwhelmed the Illustre did enough damage to the Buford that the British would be forced to abandon it to the waves after the battle, while the Illustre itself was run onto the beach of Anticosti island, and burned to avoid capture. The Apollon, also contributing crippling damage to the Buford and some of the other ships, was forced to strike her colors. The Pomone and Fidele attempted escape, with the Pomone falling behind and getting captured by the Thetis.
The Fidele was commanded by Captain Jean Vauquelin, which has escaped on the same ship from the Louisbourg siege last year. Vauquelin had made a name for himself with several successful runs of the British blockades since then. Despite being pursued by the Shannon and the Winchelsea, Vauquelin managed to make a tight turn and loose a heavy broadside against the Winchelsea that sent it to the bottom, and allowed the Fidele to escape to France. After again slipping past the British Atlantic blockade, Vauquelin reached port and was later promoted and placed in command of a new Ship of the Line.
British Losses: 3 surviving ships moderately damaged.
Sunk in Action: Buford (68), Winchelsea (24)
French Losses: Fidele moderately damaged
Lost in Action: Illustre (64) (run aground and burned)
Captured by the British: Apollon (58), Pomone (30)
Deemed unable to cross the Atlantic, the Apollon was later condemned by the British as unseaworthy, and sunk as a breakwater off Nova Scotia.
As British Field Marshal Jeffrey Amherst, commander of the North American forces, and Admiral Boscawan had suspected; a French Fleet had maintained operations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, providing aid and transport to Acadian refugees and continuing to supply them as well as supply Quebec City. A British patrol had been sent out to find and eliminate this fleet prior to the planned invasion of Quebec.
On June 13th, the British fleet found what they were looking for as they came across a French Fleet in open water just off Anticosti Island.
British Fleet: 8 Ships of the line, 4 Frigates
Royal William (84), Princess Amelia (80), Dublin (74), Buford (68), Bedford (64), Sunderland (58), Windsor (58), Sutherland (50), Thetis (44), Adventure (32), Shannon (28), Winchelsea (24)
French Fleet: 2 Ships of the line, 2 Frigates
Illustre (64), Apollon (58), Pomone (30), Fidele (24)
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the French managed to put up a good fight. Before being overwhelmed the Illustre did enough damage to the Buford that the British would be forced to abandon it to the waves after the battle, while the Illustre itself was run onto the beach of Anticosti island, and burned to avoid capture. The Apollon, also contributing crippling damage to the Buford and some of the other ships, was forced to strike her colors. The Pomone and Fidele attempted escape, with the Pomone falling behind and getting captured by the Thetis.
The Fidele was commanded by Captain Jean Vauquelin, which has escaped on the same ship from the Louisbourg siege last year. Vauquelin had made a name for himself with several successful runs of the British blockades since then. Despite being pursued by the Shannon and the Winchelsea, Vauquelin managed to make a tight turn and loose a heavy broadside against the Winchelsea that sent it to the bottom, and allowed the Fidele to escape to France. After again slipping past the British Atlantic blockade, Vauquelin reached port and was later promoted and placed in command of a new Ship of the Line.
British Losses: 3 surviving ships moderately damaged.
Sunk in Action: Buford (68), Winchelsea (24)
French Losses: Fidele moderately damaged
Lost in Action: Illustre (64) (run aground and burned)
Captured by the British: Apollon (58), Pomone (30)
Deemed unable to cross the Atlantic, the Apollon was later condemned by the British as unseaworthy, and sunk as a breakwater off Nova Scotia.
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Chapter 34: 1759 part 10
Palatinate Campaign
France’s new reformed army, including their alliance commitment of an additional 35,000 troops had trained and marched to the Palatinate-Rhine border during spring and crossed south of the Neckar river. There it merged with the allied forces of the Duke of Wurttemburg. They again joined with Austro-Bavarian forces (included those that had retreated from the Battle of Hanau) as they marched north and joined yet again with allied forces from Hesse-Darmstadt. The combined army would then move north and occupy Hesse-Kassel.
At the same time, the French army on the Northern Rhine would push across again to recapture the Prussian provinces of Cleaves and Mark and continue east, aiming to join the southern army in Hesse for a new offensive in Hanover.
Battle of Frankfurt on the Main
Having been forewarned of the French army to his south, the Duke of Brunswick retreated after his victory at Hanua to gather troops to face this threat.
A French force of 35,000 was led by Victor Francois, the 2nd Duc de Brogile, and was assisted by 6,000 Austro-Bavarian forces, 4,000 Hesse-Damnstadt and 4,000 Wutternburg forces, for a total force size us 49,000.
Facing them was 12,000 Hanover forces, 5,000 British regulars, 8,000 Hessians, 2,500 troops from Schamburg-Lippe, and 500 from Brunswick-Wolfembutte for a total force of 28,000 led by the Duke of Brunswick.
On June 6th, both sides moved quickly to occupy the city of Frankfurt on opposite sides of the Main river, and settled into a series of fierce skirmishes and artillery duels that devastated the town, and inflicted numerous civilian casualties. On the second day of fighting it became clear to the Duke of Brunswick that he would be surrounded if he did not retreat and broke clear of the city and fell back to Marburg with the French army in pursuit.
French and Allied forces: 3,500 dead and wounded.
Hanover and Allied Forces: 2,800 dead and wounded, 10 guns captured.
Civilian casualties: Estimated to be at over 1,500.
Clear French Victory.
On June 10th, after receiving word of the defeat at Frankfurt and France’s invasion into Hesse, William VIII, Langraf of Hesse-Kassel, already aged, ill and depressed form the earlier loss of his son in the Prussian battles, passed away leaving only regents in charge of Hesse.
The town of Frankfort was devastated, and with the deaths and fleeing of many of its residents, it would cease to remain a free imperial city at the wars end, opting instead to merge into its surrounding province in exchange for recovery assistance.
France’s new reformed army, including their alliance commitment of an additional 35,000 troops had trained and marched to the Palatinate-Rhine border during spring and crossed south of the Neckar river. There it merged with the allied forces of the Duke of Wurttemburg. They again joined with Austro-Bavarian forces (included those that had retreated from the Battle of Hanau) as they marched north and joined yet again with allied forces from Hesse-Darmstadt. The combined army would then move north and occupy Hesse-Kassel.
At the same time, the French army on the Northern Rhine would push across again to recapture the Prussian provinces of Cleaves and Mark and continue east, aiming to join the southern army in Hesse for a new offensive in Hanover.
Battle of Frankfurt on the Main
Having been forewarned of the French army to his south, the Duke of Brunswick retreated after his victory at Hanua to gather troops to face this threat.
A French force of 35,000 was led by Victor Francois, the 2nd Duc de Brogile, and was assisted by 6,000 Austro-Bavarian forces, 4,000 Hesse-Damnstadt and 4,000 Wutternburg forces, for a total force size us 49,000.
Facing them was 12,000 Hanover forces, 5,000 British regulars, 8,000 Hessians, 2,500 troops from Schamburg-Lippe, and 500 from Brunswick-Wolfembutte for a total force of 28,000 led by the Duke of Brunswick.
On June 6th, both sides moved quickly to occupy the city of Frankfurt on opposite sides of the Main river, and settled into a series of fierce skirmishes and artillery duels that devastated the town, and inflicted numerous civilian casualties. On the second day of fighting it became clear to the Duke of Brunswick that he would be surrounded if he did not retreat and broke clear of the city and fell back to Marburg with the French army in pursuit.
French and Allied forces: 3,500 dead and wounded.
Hanover and Allied Forces: 2,800 dead and wounded, 10 guns captured.
Civilian casualties: Estimated to be at over 1,500.
Clear French Victory.
On June 10th, after receiving word of the defeat at Frankfurt and France’s invasion into Hesse, William VIII, Langraf of Hesse-Kassel, already aged, ill and depressed form the earlier loss of his son in the Prussian battles, passed away leaving only regents in charge of Hesse.
The town of Frankfort was devastated, and with the deaths and fleeing of many of its residents, it would cease to remain a free imperial city at the wars end, opting instead to merge into its surrounding province in exchange for recovery assistance.
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Chapter 35: 1759 part 11
Battle of Dortmund
While Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick faced off against Duc de Brogile in Hesse, George Germain, 1st Viscount of Sackville would face off against the Marquis de Contades in the west as the old French army poured over the Rhine.
On June 8th, Sackville made a stand against the French at Dortmund. Sackville commanded 4,000 British soldiers (which included 3,000 reinforcements sent into the Germanies earlier that spring beyond Britain’s original commitment) 10,000 Hanoverian soldiers, 5,000 from Schamburg-Lippe, and 2,000 Prussian soldiers, who were the very last of Prussia’s unrecalled western garrisons for a total of 21,000. Contades led the older French western army of 43,000, which had once been led by Clermont and defeated at Dusseldorf by the Duke of Brunswick nearly a year ago.
Unfolding much like the battle of Frankfurt, both sides took positions in and around the town of Dortmund, and fell into a series of long artillery duel and skirmishes which devastated the town. The numbers were simply not on Sackville’s side though, and he would be forced to retreat, but not before Lord Granby gave the French a bloody nose turning back the French pursuit of the retreating allied army.
Allied Forces: ~2,000 casualties, 10 guns captured
French Forces: ~4,200 casualties.
Civilian casualties: just under ~1,000
French Victory.
Accusations of the free city of Dortmund supporting the surrounding Prussian province of Mark and the Allied army, combined with the damage the town suffered in the battle, were cited as the reasons Dortmund was incorporated into the occupied County of Mark at the war’s end.
While Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick faced off against Duc de Brogile in Hesse, George Germain, 1st Viscount of Sackville would face off against the Marquis de Contades in the west as the old French army poured over the Rhine.
On June 8th, Sackville made a stand against the French at Dortmund. Sackville commanded 4,000 British soldiers (which included 3,000 reinforcements sent into the Germanies earlier that spring beyond Britain’s original commitment) 10,000 Hanoverian soldiers, 5,000 from Schamburg-Lippe, and 2,000 Prussian soldiers, who were the very last of Prussia’s unrecalled western garrisons for a total of 21,000. Contades led the older French western army of 43,000, which had once been led by Clermont and defeated at Dusseldorf by the Duke of Brunswick nearly a year ago.
Unfolding much like the battle of Frankfurt, both sides took positions in and around the town of Dortmund, and fell into a series of long artillery duel and skirmishes which devastated the town. The numbers were simply not on Sackville’s side though, and he would be forced to retreat, but not before Lord Granby gave the French a bloody nose turning back the French pursuit of the retreating allied army.
Allied Forces: ~2,000 casualties, 10 guns captured
French Forces: ~4,200 casualties.
Civilian casualties: just under ~1,000
French Victory.
Accusations of the free city of Dortmund supporting the surrounding Prussian province of Mark and the Allied army, combined with the damage the town suffered in the battle, were cited as the reasons Dortmund was incorporated into the occupied County of Mark at the war’s end.
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Chapter 36: 1759 part 12
Second Battle of Marburg
De Broglie pursued Brunswick to Marburg where he made another stand to face off against the pursuing French army. On June 14th, a mere 8 days after the prior battle at Frankfurt, de Broglie led 44,000 French and allied soldiers against Brunswick’s 27,200 Hanoverian and allied forces. The Duke of Brunswick had managed to get reinforced by an additional 2,000 Hessian soldiers stationed in the city and arriving from the north.
Although both armies were weary from the recent battle, de Broglie wanted to finish off Brunswick before he had a chance to rejoin the retreating Sackville, who was recently defeated by Contades, and wanted to secure Marburg before moving on to besiege Kassel.
Brunswick was in a lament over his loss at Frankfurt, and had learned too late of Sackvilles defeat at Dortmund, after already preparing to make a stand at Marburg. His worries and the threat of Contades army possibly flanking him affected his decisions. After taking numerous casualties deflecting two French charges and weathering artillery fire, Bunswick decided to retreat from Marburg to rejoin Sackville while his army was still intact.
French and Allied Forces: 3,000 dead and wounded
Hanover and Allied Forces: 3,700 dead, wounded and captured, 8 guns captured.
Clear French Victory
Despite Brunswick’s retreat, many of the Hessians stayed to delay the French forcing them to siege the city for a few more days, while other many other Hessian soldiers went north to reinforce Kassel before the expected French siege.
As Brunswick retreated north and rejoined Sackville’s army, he leaned that Contades had not gone southeast to Marburg as was expected, but had gone west instead.
Battle of Paderborn
Perhaps Contades was seeking glory, attempting to reach Hanover first, or to redeem himself for his defeat by Brunswick the prior year at Dusseldorf, which had undone France’s earlier offensives in Hanover, historians still debate the reasons. But rather than move toward Marburg to assist de Broglie; Contades chased Sackville toward the east.
Having just fought two battle against them, the Duke of Brunswick considered de Broglie and the newer French army superior to Contades and the French army he had fought the prior year. Despite lamenting his two recent losses, Brunswick did an amazing job at maintain the army after these defeats, as well as making a fast march toward Sackville’s army and communicating with it. Both his and Sackville’s battle ready forces numbered about 41,000, outnumbering Contades surviving forces of 38,000; but this was certainly less than if Contades and de Broglie were allowed to join. So Brunswick took the bold move of confronting Contades at Paderborn in a rear attack while Contades was engaged with Sackville.
On June 17th while de Broglie was still occupied clearing Marburg of the Hessians that had stayed behind, Brunswick attacked Contades from the south.
On June 17th, 38,000 French led by Contades faced off against 41,000 Hanoverian soldiers and other allies led by Brunswick, Sackville and Granby.
French Forces: 7,500 dead, wounded and captured, 25 guns captured. Louis Georges Erasme de Contades was killed in action.
Hanoverian and Allied Forces: 5,000 dead and wounded
Clear Allied Victory:
In an unprecedented action that vindicated Brunswick from the two prior defeat, the French army led by Contades was mostly routed, though at a high cost in casualties to his own forces. A Complete rout may have been achieved had Sackville not disobeyed orders to release Granby’s cavalry, and completely finish off the French. What was left of the Contades French army retreated south back toward de Broglie.
Despite the victory and even the great boost in morale that victory often grant, it count not relieve exhaustion or the shell-shock of having fought through three major battles in the span of 11 days. Low on supplies and fresh soldiers, Brunswick army was in no condition to fight further without rest. Furthermore Brunswick and Sackville were very low on guns after 3 combined retreats, and de Broglie’s army was still intact and would swell with whatever French troops from Contades forces had managed to be recovered.
Geroge Germain 1st Viscount of Sackville, because of his actions was sent back to London, where he was court martialed and cashiered out of the army. Later on he would enter politics.
With the loss of Contades, Victor-Francois 2nd Duc de Brogile was made commander of the western French forces in the Germanies.
Siege of Kassel
Very low on Supplies, ammunition and powder, and his army in desperate need of rest, Brunswick could not pursue the remains of Contades army south. So he retreated northward back toward Hanover. There was unlikely anything he could do to prevent the de Broglie from taking Kassel, but he could at least prevent the French from achieving any ability to invade Hanover this year.
De Broglie understood this as well, and as soon as he had regathered the scattered French troops formerly under Contades and taken command he proceeded with his march against Kassel and laid siege to it.
By July 1st, de Broglie had readied for the siege, and reformed the merged French and allied Armies into a 61,000 strong occupying force. Hessian forces that had not fled with Brunswick numbered an 8,000 strong garrison holding Kassel.
The Siege of Kassel lasted one month until a final assault commenced on August 2nd.
French and Allied Forces: 1000 casualties
Hessians: 2,000 dead and wounded. 6,000 and numerous guns captured at surrender.
After the fall of the city of Kassel and securing Hesse-Kassel lands, a new front developed along the Ems and Weser rivers. France, though making significant gains, would be unable to campaign into Hanover this year. The army reforms though had proven themselves in battle and would be carried forward for all subsequent regiments raised.
With William VIII of Hesse and his son Fredrick II both dead, the heir presumptive of Hesse-Kassel was the 16 year old William I, currently residing in Denmark with his mother and siblings. Upon receiving news of the victories, the French diplomats in Denmark wasted no time in pressing the poor boy and his family into Hesse-Kassel’s complete capitulation.
Hesse-Kassel’s participation in the Nine Years War came to an official end on October 3rd, 1759.
De Broglie pursued Brunswick to Marburg where he made another stand to face off against the pursuing French army. On June 14th, a mere 8 days after the prior battle at Frankfurt, de Broglie led 44,000 French and allied soldiers against Brunswick’s 27,200 Hanoverian and allied forces. The Duke of Brunswick had managed to get reinforced by an additional 2,000 Hessian soldiers stationed in the city and arriving from the north.
Although both armies were weary from the recent battle, de Broglie wanted to finish off Brunswick before he had a chance to rejoin the retreating Sackville, who was recently defeated by Contades, and wanted to secure Marburg before moving on to besiege Kassel.
Brunswick was in a lament over his loss at Frankfurt, and had learned too late of Sackvilles defeat at Dortmund, after already preparing to make a stand at Marburg. His worries and the threat of Contades army possibly flanking him affected his decisions. After taking numerous casualties deflecting two French charges and weathering artillery fire, Bunswick decided to retreat from Marburg to rejoin Sackville while his army was still intact.
French and Allied Forces: 3,000 dead and wounded
Hanover and Allied Forces: 3,700 dead, wounded and captured, 8 guns captured.
Clear French Victory
Despite Brunswick’s retreat, many of the Hessians stayed to delay the French forcing them to siege the city for a few more days, while other many other Hessian soldiers went north to reinforce Kassel before the expected French siege.
As Brunswick retreated north and rejoined Sackville’s army, he leaned that Contades had not gone southeast to Marburg as was expected, but had gone west instead.
Battle of Paderborn
Perhaps Contades was seeking glory, attempting to reach Hanover first, or to redeem himself for his defeat by Brunswick the prior year at Dusseldorf, which had undone France’s earlier offensives in Hanover, historians still debate the reasons. But rather than move toward Marburg to assist de Broglie; Contades chased Sackville toward the east.
Having just fought two battle against them, the Duke of Brunswick considered de Broglie and the newer French army superior to Contades and the French army he had fought the prior year. Despite lamenting his two recent losses, Brunswick did an amazing job at maintain the army after these defeats, as well as making a fast march toward Sackville’s army and communicating with it. Both his and Sackville’s battle ready forces numbered about 41,000, outnumbering Contades surviving forces of 38,000; but this was certainly less than if Contades and de Broglie were allowed to join. So Brunswick took the bold move of confronting Contades at Paderborn in a rear attack while Contades was engaged with Sackville.
On June 17th while de Broglie was still occupied clearing Marburg of the Hessians that had stayed behind, Brunswick attacked Contades from the south.
On June 17th, 38,000 French led by Contades faced off against 41,000 Hanoverian soldiers and other allies led by Brunswick, Sackville and Granby.
French Forces: 7,500 dead, wounded and captured, 25 guns captured. Louis Georges Erasme de Contades was killed in action.
Hanoverian and Allied Forces: 5,000 dead and wounded
Clear Allied Victory:
In an unprecedented action that vindicated Brunswick from the two prior defeat, the French army led by Contades was mostly routed, though at a high cost in casualties to his own forces. A Complete rout may have been achieved had Sackville not disobeyed orders to release Granby’s cavalry, and completely finish off the French. What was left of the Contades French army retreated south back toward de Broglie.
Despite the victory and even the great boost in morale that victory often grant, it count not relieve exhaustion or the shell-shock of having fought through three major battles in the span of 11 days. Low on supplies and fresh soldiers, Brunswick army was in no condition to fight further without rest. Furthermore Brunswick and Sackville were very low on guns after 3 combined retreats, and de Broglie’s army was still intact and would swell with whatever French troops from Contades forces had managed to be recovered.
Geroge Germain 1st Viscount of Sackville, because of his actions was sent back to London, where he was court martialed and cashiered out of the army. Later on he would enter politics.
With the loss of Contades, Victor-Francois 2nd Duc de Brogile was made commander of the western French forces in the Germanies.
Siege of Kassel
Very low on Supplies, ammunition and powder, and his army in desperate need of rest, Brunswick could not pursue the remains of Contades army south. So he retreated northward back toward Hanover. There was unlikely anything he could do to prevent the de Broglie from taking Kassel, but he could at least prevent the French from achieving any ability to invade Hanover this year.
De Broglie understood this as well, and as soon as he had regathered the scattered French troops formerly under Contades and taken command he proceeded with his march against Kassel and laid siege to it.
By July 1st, de Broglie had readied for the siege, and reformed the merged French and allied Armies into a 61,000 strong occupying force. Hessian forces that had not fled with Brunswick numbered an 8,000 strong garrison holding Kassel.
The Siege of Kassel lasted one month until a final assault commenced on August 2nd.
French and Allied Forces: 1000 casualties
Hessians: 2,000 dead and wounded. 6,000 and numerous guns captured at surrender.
After the fall of the city of Kassel and securing Hesse-Kassel lands, a new front developed along the Ems and Weser rivers. France, though making significant gains, would be unable to campaign into Hanover this year. The army reforms though had proven themselves in battle and would be carried forward for all subsequent regiments raised.
With William VIII of Hesse and his son Fredrick II both dead, the heir presumptive of Hesse-Kassel was the 16 year old William I, currently residing in Denmark with his mother and siblings. Upon receiving news of the victories, the French diplomats in Denmark wasted no time in pressing the poor boy and his family into Hesse-Kassel’s complete capitulation.
Hesse-Kassel’s participation in the Nine Years War came to an official end on October 3rd, 1759.
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Any more feedback?
This wraps up the west German theater for the year 1759.
North American theater, East German front and south German front, and Indian theater still to come for this year, though I feel like I need to start shortening updates if I'm ever going to progress through the TL with more speed.
I have an outline for what will happen to Hesse-Kassel, but I'd also like to know what other people think will happen too.
This wraps up the west German theater for the year 1759.
North American theater, East German front and south German front, and Indian theater still to come for this year, though I feel like I need to start shortening updates if I'm ever going to progress through the TL with more speed.
I have an outline for what will happen to Hesse-Kassel, but I'd also like to know what other people think will happen too.
Chapter 37: 1759 part 13
Battle of Niagara
Earlier in the year, Amherst learned that the Iroquois League was willing to ally with the British in order to push the French out of their frontier forts, so organized an expedition against Fort Niagara.
On July 12th, a British force of 1500 led by General John Prideaux and Sir William Johnson joined with a Colonial militia of 1500 led by Colonel George Washington, and 1000 Iroquois warriors led by Sayenquarghta. A force of 500 French led by Pierre Pouchot defended the fort.
A general siege began, and French Iroquois allies deserted. A few weeks into the siege it was learned that Montreal had sent a relief force of 1400 militia and Indian allies led by Francois-Marie Le Marchard de Ligney.
Washington and Sayenquarghta were dispatched to eliminate the relief force, and battled at resulting in a battle on August 2nd, in which Washington and Sayenquaraghta were victorious.
French Forces: 525 dead and wounded, 475 captured
British and Iroquois Forces: 500 dead and wounded.
Marchard de Ligney was killed in action and Pierre Pouchot was taken prisoner at the surrender of the fort.
After learning of the defeat of the relief force, the French surrendered Fort Niagara on August 3rd.
As a result of fighting together, Washington and Sayenquraghta developed a strong comradery that increased their respect for one another which have an important impact later on in Colonial and Iroquois relations.
Massy Expedition
Amherst, while having orders to pursue and capture Canada in the 1759 year, it was becoming more and more likely such would not be entirely possible. While Louisbourg was a great success, it took longer than expected, and the campaigns against the Acadians in the Maritimes were still on going. By late summer he was sending out orders to prepare for a campaign against Quebec City as soon as supplies returned from England in the hopes of starting it off before the onset of winter.
Amherst wanted to be able to initiate a attack toward Montreal and Quebec from two sides, the southwest and from the sea at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Most troops however were still occupied with the Acadian campaigns, and not wanted to waste the opportunity, had sent troops off to take Niagara. Amherst still needed to know of the state of defenses at Ticonderoga thus sent Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy with an exploratory force toward the French fort.
Though Massy, commanded a few hundred British and Colonial Rangers were not ordered to engage the French, he was caught off guard by French Patrols in the area fell into a skirmish on August 3rd.
British Forces: 200 dead, wounded. Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy killed in action.
French Forces: Less than 100 casualties.
French Victory
Massy was killed in the exchange, and the British force fled back south, but junior officers reported to Amherst that the French had reinforced the fort, and expanded its defenses.
Close of the North American Campaign in 1759
Despite attempts to be ready, Amherst, received word in the late summer of the loss of critical British supplies ships in a strong North Atlantic storm.[1] This would make it all but impossible to mount a naval expedition against Quebec this year, which also made pursuing a simultaneous attack on Ticonderoga much less favorable to pursue. He also had reports that, without French supplies getting through the blockades, the French would likely to be facing shortages during the winter months, and made the decision to consolidate his gains, and not pursue more offensives against the rest of New France until the campaign season of 1760.
[1] HMS Aurora (38), Tartar (28) and three supply ships of less than 20 guns were wrecked in a severe storm on the North Atlantic.
Earlier in the year, Amherst learned that the Iroquois League was willing to ally with the British in order to push the French out of their frontier forts, so organized an expedition against Fort Niagara.
On July 12th, a British force of 1500 led by General John Prideaux and Sir William Johnson joined with a Colonial militia of 1500 led by Colonel George Washington, and 1000 Iroquois warriors led by Sayenquarghta. A force of 500 French led by Pierre Pouchot defended the fort.
A general siege began, and French Iroquois allies deserted. A few weeks into the siege it was learned that Montreal had sent a relief force of 1400 militia and Indian allies led by Francois-Marie Le Marchard de Ligney.
Washington and Sayenquarghta were dispatched to eliminate the relief force, and battled at resulting in a battle on August 2nd, in which Washington and Sayenquaraghta were victorious.
French Forces: 525 dead and wounded, 475 captured
British and Iroquois Forces: 500 dead and wounded.
Marchard de Ligney was killed in action and Pierre Pouchot was taken prisoner at the surrender of the fort.
After learning of the defeat of the relief force, the French surrendered Fort Niagara on August 3rd.
As a result of fighting together, Washington and Sayenquraghta developed a strong comradery that increased their respect for one another which have an important impact later on in Colonial and Iroquois relations.
Massy Expedition
Amherst, while having orders to pursue and capture Canada in the 1759 year, it was becoming more and more likely such would not be entirely possible. While Louisbourg was a great success, it took longer than expected, and the campaigns against the Acadians in the Maritimes were still on going. By late summer he was sending out orders to prepare for a campaign against Quebec City as soon as supplies returned from England in the hopes of starting it off before the onset of winter.
Amherst wanted to be able to initiate a attack toward Montreal and Quebec from two sides, the southwest and from the sea at the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Most troops however were still occupied with the Acadian campaigns, and not wanted to waste the opportunity, had sent troops off to take Niagara. Amherst still needed to know of the state of defenses at Ticonderoga thus sent Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy with an exploratory force toward the French fort.
Though Massy, commanded a few hundred British and Colonial Rangers were not ordered to engage the French, he was caught off guard by French Patrols in the area fell into a skirmish on August 3rd.
British Forces: 200 dead, wounded. Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy killed in action.
French Forces: Less than 100 casualties.
French Victory
Massy was killed in the exchange, and the British force fled back south, but junior officers reported to Amherst that the French had reinforced the fort, and expanded its defenses.
Close of the North American Campaign in 1759
Despite attempts to be ready, Amherst, received word in the late summer of the loss of critical British supplies ships in a strong North Atlantic storm.[1] This would make it all but impossible to mount a naval expedition against Quebec this year, which also made pursuing a simultaneous attack on Ticonderoga much less favorable to pursue. He also had reports that, without French supplies getting through the blockades, the French would likely to be facing shortages during the winter months, and made the decision to consolidate his gains, and not pursue more offensives against the rest of New France until the campaign season of 1760.
[1] HMS Aurora (38), Tartar (28) and three supply ships of less than 20 guns were wrecked in a severe storm on the North Atlantic.
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I'm just reading your output since the new year.
Minor nitpick: the name of the commander for French forces in Germany is de Broglie and not de Brogile. (This is OTL an extremely famous family, including generals, diplomats and scientists. The name is Italian in origin. The village of Chambrais in Normandy was even renamed Broglie after them).
In Germany, surely the Brunswick army, after two quite hasty retreats, is a bit low in artillery (as is the second French army)? Even though the numbers of captured guns is quite low, surely more of them were spiked by the retreating army? (I find it hard to believe that a 18th century army, after two hasty retreats, would still be able to mount a large offensive - but they still have a credible use if they attack Contades in the rear while he is busy fighting the Lobsterbacks).
Thanks. I've edited it some.
That was kind of what I was envisioning but hadn't put it into the right words. Contades basically made a major mistake in not joining up with de Broglie. (Though there wasn't much de Broglie could do about it since Contades at the time was his superior.) Contades allowed himself to get trapped between both the allied armies, the exact opposite of what he was supposed to do to Brunswick.
The low number of guns, along with low supplies of ammo and powder is exactly why Brunswick had to retreat back toward Hanover and not fight another battle against de Broglie.
Any other feedback?
That was kind of what I was envisioning but hadn't put it into the right words. Contades basically made a major mistake in not joining up with de Broglie. (Though there wasn't much de Broglie could do about it since Contades at the time was his superior.) Contades allowed himself to get trapped between both the allied armies, the exact opposite of what he was supposed to do to Brunswick.
The low number of guns, along with low supplies of ammo and powder is exactly why Brunswick had to retreat back toward Hanover and not fight another battle against de Broglie.
Any other feedback?
Great timeline
Great timeline, good management of temporary divergences in the development of events ('' Butterfly '') .
Totally credible and feasible results naval and land battles.
I am following this story closely.
Great timeline, good management of temporary divergences in the development of events ('' Butterfly '') .
Totally credible and feasible results naval and land battles.
I am following this story closely.
Chapter 38: 1759 part 14
Oder River Raids
During the Summer of 1759, the commander of Swedish forces in Pomerania, General Gustaf David Hamilton, was tasked to take more of Pomerania or invade Brandenburg, yet was given little in the way of funds and men to do so. Sweden was at least committing men to the blockade and eventual sieging of Kolberg, but such plans would not be carried out until fall.
Reinforcements from Mecklenbrg had greatly helped in freeing troops up for maneuvering, but without reforms and more support Hamilton knew he could not really press for any real long-lasting offensives. So he decided to eliminate two problems at once.
A serious lack of bridging equipment had hurt is mobility across the Oder river the prior year, and nothing was really coming forth to fix that problem yet. Hamilton thus decided to capture and seize as many Prussian civilian riverine craft along the Oder as he could and formed a river fleet out of that could reach further up the Oder than the Swedish Navy could, as well as be usable for transport across the Oder as needed for his troops.
The other objective with this makeshift river fleet was to shut down Prussian usage of the lower Oder River, and raid Prussian towns that were within easy reach of the river. To this end it was successful.
During the summer and fall, Sweden shut down the lower Oder River, attacking and destroying bridges they couldn’t capture. The cities of Gartz and Gripenhagen were raided, as was Swedtz which proved to be the furthest south the attacks and control over the Oder reached.
Battle of Posen
Similar to the prior year, as soon as Fredrick beat back one army, he found himself in need of racing off to take on another. Fredrick’s army had only a few months to recover from his victory at against Austria at Jauer on May 3rd, before they had to face off against the Russians again. While Fredrick was busy against the Austrians, Russia advanced, while he was busy against the Russians, Austria advanced.
During the spring and early summer, the Russian army had pushed past the Vistula on a drive toward Berlin and along the Baltic coast toward Kolberg. They had already taken Thorn and Bromberg, and again, Fredrick had to meet them to prevent them from joining with the Austrian army to his south.
Fredrick commanded the bulk of his forces, some 45,000 soldiers, after having left behind what he hoped was enough to maintain garrisons in lower Silesia met the 50,000 strong Russian army led by Vasily Lopukhin. The stakes were high; a loss here would be disastrous for Fredrick.
On July 20th, the Prussian army met the Russia one outside of Posen. Fredrick had what he considered was a better trained and disciplined army with a good core of veterans, but yet still had large number of fresh recruits in it as his core of multi-battle veteran soldiers dwindled with each battle. Lopukhin and the Russian forces again proved their tenacity and ability to take damage but unlike last time they didn’t have quite the numbers as they did before. Despite the risk of leaving forces weak in other areas, he had brought the largest army he felt he could risk to meet them.
Russian Forces: 10,000 dead and wounded, 22 guns captured.
Prussian Forces: 4,250 dead and wounded.
Decisive Prussian Victory.
Fredrick’s gamble had paid off. By the end of a day of fighting the Russian army was routed. It wasn’t quite as destroyed as Fredrick hoped though, and like the prior year, he could not afford to pursue the at length or attempt to retake East Prussia. Doing so would mean leaving lower Silesia and Brandenburg exposed to Austrian invasion.
Lopukhin, bristled at the loss, re-gathered his forces and retreated back to Thorn, their campaigns for this year effectively over. Russia was not out of the war though; he knew a second army was already being raised in Russia, and that Fredrick could not last forever.
Battle of Leipzig
As expected, while Fredrick was busy with Russia, Austrian and Saxon forces pushed into western Saxony.
On July 26th, a 10,000 strong Austrian-Saxon army battles a 3,000 strong Prussian army at Leipzig after retaking most of Western Saxony between the Elbe and Salle rivers.
Prussian Forces: 1,000 dead, wounded or captured. 10 guns captured.
Austrian-Saxon Forces: 600 dead and wounded.
Clear Austrian Victory.
Cut off from retreating east, Prussian forces retreat back to Halle with the Austrian-Saxon army in pursuit.
Siege of Kolberg
Count Fermor led 5,000 Russian to the city of Kolberg with intent to besiege the city, while Sweden sent an additional 3,000. Only a 1000 strong Prussians were present to defend the city.
The siege officially began on October 4th, and was beset with problem from severe storms, which severely hampered the construction of siege-works and wrecked 21 out of 27 Russian ships during the month of October. The Swedish fleet fared little better and lost 8 out of 12 ships to the October storms.
A desperate Fredrick sent 2,000 soldiers against the besieging army, who faced only a small, victorious skirmish on November 1st, as the Russians and Swedes were already preparing to lift the siege.
Swedish-Russian Forces: 300 dead and wounded (of only 3000 engaged)
Prussian Forces: 100 dead and wounded.
Prussian Victory
Siege of Halle & Battle of Nordhausen
After the formal surrender of Hasse-Kassel in October, and after being reinforced with Austrian and Bavarian troops from the south and west, Austrian-Saxon forces would make plans to Siege the city of Halle. By October, the restored Saxon government had established control over all of Saxony west of the Elbe.
16,000 Austrian, Saxon and Bavarian troops laid Siege to a 2,000 strong Prussian garrison at Halle on October 16th. Fredrick, having already sent troops off to defend Kolberg, made a desperate plea for reinforcements from the Duke of Brunswick, who reluctantly sent a 5,000 strong relief force despite his wariness over de Broglie’s nearby army preparing to winter in Kassel.
Brunswick was right to worry at a French-Hesse Damschadt force of 10,000 intercepted and defeated the Hanover-Brunswick-Wolfembuttel relief force near the city of Nordhausen on October 21st.
French-Hesse Damschadt Forces: 800 dead and wounded.
Hanoverian-Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel Forces: 1,000 dead wounded or captured. 7 guns captured.
Clear French Victory.
Despite no relief forces, Halle held out for six weeks before finally surrendering to an Austrian assault on December 7th.
Siege of Halle:
Prussian Forces: 500 casualties, 1500 captured.
Austrian-Saxon-Bavarian Forces: 400 dead and wounded.
Clear Austrian victory.
During the Summer of 1759, the commander of Swedish forces in Pomerania, General Gustaf David Hamilton, was tasked to take more of Pomerania or invade Brandenburg, yet was given little in the way of funds and men to do so. Sweden was at least committing men to the blockade and eventual sieging of Kolberg, but such plans would not be carried out until fall.
Reinforcements from Mecklenbrg had greatly helped in freeing troops up for maneuvering, but without reforms and more support Hamilton knew he could not really press for any real long-lasting offensives. So he decided to eliminate two problems at once.
A serious lack of bridging equipment had hurt is mobility across the Oder river the prior year, and nothing was really coming forth to fix that problem yet. Hamilton thus decided to capture and seize as many Prussian civilian riverine craft along the Oder as he could and formed a river fleet out of that could reach further up the Oder than the Swedish Navy could, as well as be usable for transport across the Oder as needed for his troops.
The other objective with this makeshift river fleet was to shut down Prussian usage of the lower Oder River, and raid Prussian towns that were within easy reach of the river. To this end it was successful.
During the summer and fall, Sweden shut down the lower Oder River, attacking and destroying bridges they couldn’t capture. The cities of Gartz and Gripenhagen were raided, as was Swedtz which proved to be the furthest south the attacks and control over the Oder reached.
Battle of Posen
Similar to the prior year, as soon as Fredrick beat back one army, he found himself in need of racing off to take on another. Fredrick’s army had only a few months to recover from his victory at against Austria at Jauer on May 3rd, before they had to face off against the Russians again. While Fredrick was busy against the Austrians, Russia advanced, while he was busy against the Russians, Austria advanced.
During the spring and early summer, the Russian army had pushed past the Vistula on a drive toward Berlin and along the Baltic coast toward Kolberg. They had already taken Thorn and Bromberg, and again, Fredrick had to meet them to prevent them from joining with the Austrian army to his south.
Fredrick commanded the bulk of his forces, some 45,000 soldiers, after having left behind what he hoped was enough to maintain garrisons in lower Silesia met the 50,000 strong Russian army led by Vasily Lopukhin. The stakes were high; a loss here would be disastrous for Fredrick.
On July 20th, the Prussian army met the Russia one outside of Posen. Fredrick had what he considered was a better trained and disciplined army with a good core of veterans, but yet still had large number of fresh recruits in it as his core of multi-battle veteran soldiers dwindled with each battle. Lopukhin and the Russian forces again proved their tenacity and ability to take damage but unlike last time they didn’t have quite the numbers as they did before. Despite the risk of leaving forces weak in other areas, he had brought the largest army he felt he could risk to meet them.
Russian Forces: 10,000 dead and wounded, 22 guns captured.
Prussian Forces: 4,250 dead and wounded.
Decisive Prussian Victory.
Fredrick’s gamble had paid off. By the end of a day of fighting the Russian army was routed. It wasn’t quite as destroyed as Fredrick hoped though, and like the prior year, he could not afford to pursue the at length or attempt to retake East Prussia. Doing so would mean leaving lower Silesia and Brandenburg exposed to Austrian invasion.
Lopukhin, bristled at the loss, re-gathered his forces and retreated back to Thorn, their campaigns for this year effectively over. Russia was not out of the war though; he knew a second army was already being raised in Russia, and that Fredrick could not last forever.
Battle of Leipzig
As expected, while Fredrick was busy with Russia, Austrian and Saxon forces pushed into western Saxony.
On July 26th, a 10,000 strong Austrian-Saxon army battles a 3,000 strong Prussian army at Leipzig after retaking most of Western Saxony between the Elbe and Salle rivers.
Prussian Forces: 1,000 dead, wounded or captured. 10 guns captured.
Austrian-Saxon Forces: 600 dead and wounded.
Clear Austrian Victory.
Cut off from retreating east, Prussian forces retreat back to Halle with the Austrian-Saxon army in pursuit.
Siege of Kolberg
Count Fermor led 5,000 Russian to the city of Kolberg with intent to besiege the city, while Sweden sent an additional 3,000. Only a 1000 strong Prussians were present to defend the city.
The siege officially began on October 4th, and was beset with problem from severe storms, which severely hampered the construction of siege-works and wrecked 21 out of 27 Russian ships during the month of October. The Swedish fleet fared little better and lost 8 out of 12 ships to the October storms.
A desperate Fredrick sent 2,000 soldiers against the besieging army, who faced only a small, victorious skirmish on November 1st, as the Russians and Swedes were already preparing to lift the siege.
Swedish-Russian Forces: 300 dead and wounded (of only 3000 engaged)
Prussian Forces: 100 dead and wounded.
Prussian Victory
Siege of Halle & Battle of Nordhausen
After the formal surrender of Hasse-Kassel in October, and after being reinforced with Austrian and Bavarian troops from the south and west, Austrian-Saxon forces would make plans to Siege the city of Halle. By October, the restored Saxon government had established control over all of Saxony west of the Elbe.
16,000 Austrian, Saxon and Bavarian troops laid Siege to a 2,000 strong Prussian garrison at Halle on October 16th. Fredrick, having already sent troops off to defend Kolberg, made a desperate plea for reinforcements from the Duke of Brunswick, who reluctantly sent a 5,000 strong relief force despite his wariness over de Broglie’s nearby army preparing to winter in Kassel.
Brunswick was right to worry at a French-Hesse Damschadt force of 10,000 intercepted and defeated the Hanover-Brunswick-Wolfembuttel relief force near the city of Nordhausen on October 21st.
French-Hesse Damschadt Forces: 800 dead and wounded.
Hanoverian-Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel Forces: 1,000 dead wounded or captured. 7 guns captured.
Clear French Victory.
Despite no relief forces, Halle held out for six weeks before finally surrendering to an Austrian assault on December 7th.
Siege of Halle:
Prussian Forces: 500 casualties, 1500 captured.
Austrian-Saxon-Bavarian Forces: 400 dead and wounded.
Clear Austrian victory.
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Chapter 39: 1759 part 15
Indian Theater
The contest over influence in India was no over between the British and the French in the waters of the Indian Ocean, as the two fleets in the area would come to blows again in the fall. On September 16th, the Battle of Pondicherry was fought between British Admiral Pocock and French Admiral Anne Antoine Comte de’Ache.
Battle of Pondicherry
British Fleet: 7 ships of the line and 4 frigates
HMS Elizabeth (70), Cumberland (66), Yarmouth (64), Tiger (60), Salisbury (50), Hampshire (50), Newcastle (50), East-Indiaman Protector (44), HMS Mary Galley (44), Sylphide (32) (ex-french), and Queensborough (24)
French Fleet: 8 ships of the line and 3 frigates
Orient (80), Zodiaque (74), Duc-de-Bourgogne (64), Venguer (64), Sechelles (60), Moras (60), Duc d’Orleans (54), Le Saint Louis (54), Baleine (32), Diligente (24), Thetis (22)
Despite having a greater total number of guns, the French fleets persistent attempts to target the rigging and masts of the British ships in the hopes of capture, rather than hulls proved their undoing as the British focus on the hulls of the enemy ships in the hopes of sinking or disabling guns and caused far more casualties among the French than they did to the British. After a fierce fight and significant damage to both sides, De’Ache retreated in the face of the British gaining the advantage of the weather.
British Forces: 1/2 of surviving fleet moderately to heavily damaged. Loss of the Yarmouth (64) and the Slyphide (32) (condemned and hulked upon return to India and England)
French Forces: 3/5th of surviving fleet heavily damaged. Loss of Le Saint Louis (54) (sunk en-route to Mauritius)
Results: British Victory
The story of De’Ache’s fleet does not end there. Although new supplies were picked up in Mauritius, and repairs were made, the damage was too extensive to be adequately handled by the island, and De Ache made his way back for France. His fleet was scattered in a storm off Madagascar, resulting in the loss of the Thetis (22), which he reported as lost at sea when his fleet limped back to France many weeks later.
Before he could reach France though, he had to run his damaged ships through the straights of Gibraltar, after a failed attempt at reaching a French Atlantic port, and narrowly escaping British pursuit. Sailing past Gibraltar cost him the Moras (60), which was run aground and burnt on the coast of Morocco, but his remaining fleet made it to Toulon for lengthy repairs.
Unbeknownst to De’Ache, the Thetis had actually made it far enough to ground itself on the east coast of southern Madagascar, with numerous survivors.
The contest over influence in India was no over between the British and the French in the waters of the Indian Ocean, as the two fleets in the area would come to blows again in the fall. On September 16th, the Battle of Pondicherry was fought between British Admiral Pocock and French Admiral Anne Antoine Comte de’Ache.
Battle of Pondicherry
British Fleet: 7 ships of the line and 4 frigates
HMS Elizabeth (70), Cumberland (66), Yarmouth (64), Tiger (60), Salisbury (50), Hampshire (50), Newcastle (50), East-Indiaman Protector (44), HMS Mary Galley (44), Sylphide (32) (ex-french), and Queensborough (24)
French Fleet: 8 ships of the line and 3 frigates
Orient (80), Zodiaque (74), Duc-de-Bourgogne (64), Venguer (64), Sechelles (60), Moras (60), Duc d’Orleans (54), Le Saint Louis (54), Baleine (32), Diligente (24), Thetis (22)
Despite having a greater total number of guns, the French fleets persistent attempts to target the rigging and masts of the British ships in the hopes of capture, rather than hulls proved their undoing as the British focus on the hulls of the enemy ships in the hopes of sinking or disabling guns and caused far more casualties among the French than they did to the British. After a fierce fight and significant damage to both sides, De’Ache retreated in the face of the British gaining the advantage of the weather.
British Forces: 1/2 of surviving fleet moderately to heavily damaged. Loss of the Yarmouth (64) and the Slyphide (32) (condemned and hulked upon return to India and England)
French Forces: 3/5th of surviving fleet heavily damaged. Loss of Le Saint Louis (54) (sunk en-route to Mauritius)
Results: British Victory
The story of De’Ache’s fleet does not end there. Although new supplies were picked up in Mauritius, and repairs were made, the damage was too extensive to be adequately handled by the island, and De Ache made his way back for France. His fleet was scattered in a storm off Madagascar, resulting in the loss of the Thetis (22), which he reported as lost at sea when his fleet limped back to France many weeks later.
Before he could reach France though, he had to run his damaged ships through the straights of Gibraltar, after a failed attempt at reaching a French Atlantic port, and narrowly escaping British pursuit. Sailing past Gibraltar cost him the Moras (60), which was run aground and burnt on the coast of Morocco, but his remaining fleet made it to Toulon for lengthy repairs.
Unbeknownst to De’Ache, the Thetis had actually made it far enough to ground itself on the east coast of southern Madagascar, with numerous survivors.
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Chapter 40: 1759 part 16
Treaty of Copenhagen, October 3rd, 1759
In what would be called by later historians as an appalling exploitation attempt of the young inheritor of Hesse-Kassel, the 16 year old William I von Hessen, brief Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, the young heir negotiated a treaty with French and Hesse-Darmstadt.
In exchange for peace, William I recognized the French and Hesse-Darmstadt occupation of Hesse-Kassel and gave up title to all lands in Hesse-Kassel currently occupied to a combination of French oversight or to his cousin Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. While he received a large sum in the near term and kept title to a few lands that bordered Hanover north of Braunschweig (Brunswick), it would fall far short of the long term value of the lands.
When they learned of the treaty however, Britain and Hanover, Prussia, and Brunswick refused to recognize any legality in it.
Choisel had directed his diplomats toward the goal of expanding French lands in Europe in small pieces where possible. Secondary deals made with Hesse-Darmnstadt and Wuttemburg, for titles and exchanges of the conquered Hesse-Kassel lands would see France in control of the county of Hanua-Lichtenburg from Hesse-Darmstadt, and Mompelgard from Wurttemburg for parts of former Hesse-Kassel at the war’s end.
The reformed union of Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Kassel lands and subsequent negotiations would see the formation of the Electorate of Hesse led by Louis IX after the war.
November 24, Battle of Chinsurah, India
Following the fall of the French fort at Chandernagar to the British, and the British victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Jafar opened secret negotiations with the Dutch East Indian company.
These talks culminated in the arrival of a fleet of seven Dutch ships and additional Dutch troops stationed at Dutch holdings in Bengal.
Robert Clive would see these as a military threat, and high tensions with the Dutch at the time (since word of better, albeit still neutral relations had not yet arrived in India) resulted in a battle at Chinsurah between British and Dutch forces.
A brief naval battle in the Hooghly river between the 3 British ships and the seven Dutch East Indian company ships, as well as a skirmish on land between British and Bengal-Dutch East India troops resulted in a British victory.
Six of seven Dutch East India ships surrender and Mir Jafar and the Dutch suffered a few hundred casualties among the Dutch, Malay and Chinsurah soldiers.
Despite the battle the Dutch remained neutral in the war, and the captured Dutch soldiers and ships were released. After the loss the British overthrew Mir Jafar and replaced him with Mir Kasim Ali Khan, establishing British supremacy in Bengal.
In what would be called by later historians as an appalling exploitation attempt of the young inheritor of Hesse-Kassel, the 16 year old William I von Hessen, brief Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, the young heir negotiated a treaty with French and Hesse-Darmstadt.
In exchange for peace, William I recognized the French and Hesse-Darmstadt occupation of Hesse-Kassel and gave up title to all lands in Hesse-Kassel currently occupied to a combination of French oversight or to his cousin Louis IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. While he received a large sum in the near term and kept title to a few lands that bordered Hanover north of Braunschweig (Brunswick), it would fall far short of the long term value of the lands.
When they learned of the treaty however, Britain and Hanover, Prussia, and Brunswick refused to recognize any legality in it.
Choisel had directed his diplomats toward the goal of expanding French lands in Europe in small pieces where possible. Secondary deals made with Hesse-Darmnstadt and Wuttemburg, for titles and exchanges of the conquered Hesse-Kassel lands would see France in control of the county of Hanua-Lichtenburg from Hesse-Darmstadt, and Mompelgard from Wurttemburg for parts of former Hesse-Kassel at the war’s end.
The reformed union of Hesse-Darmstadt and Hesse-Kassel lands and subsequent negotiations would see the formation of the Electorate of Hesse led by Louis IX after the war.
November 24, Battle of Chinsurah, India
Following the fall of the French fort at Chandernagar to the British, and the British victory at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the Nawab of Bengal, Mir Jafar opened secret negotiations with the Dutch East Indian company.
These talks culminated in the arrival of a fleet of seven Dutch ships and additional Dutch troops stationed at Dutch holdings in Bengal.
Robert Clive would see these as a military threat, and high tensions with the Dutch at the time (since word of better, albeit still neutral relations had not yet arrived in India) resulted in a battle at Chinsurah between British and Dutch forces.
A brief naval battle in the Hooghly river between the 3 British ships and the seven Dutch East Indian company ships, as well as a skirmish on land between British and Bengal-Dutch East India troops resulted in a British victory.
Six of seven Dutch East India ships surrender and Mir Jafar and the Dutch suffered a few hundred casualties among the Dutch, Malay and Chinsurah soldiers.
Despite the battle the Dutch remained neutral in the war, and the captured Dutch soldiers and ships were released. After the loss the British overthrew Mir Jafar and replaced him with Mir Kasim Ali Khan, establishing British supremacy in Bengal.
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Chapter 41: 1759 part 17 (Summary)
Summary 1759
January 10th – Nine Years War: Muhamad Yusef Khan is killed in battle by the French during the Siege of Madras
January 15th – The British Museum opens after 6 years of development.
January 31st – Nine Years War: HMS Revenge (28) is captured attempting to run the French blockade during the Siege of Madras
February 2nd – Nine Years War: Madras, India falls to the French after nearly five weeks of siege.
February 5th – Princess Catherine Sophia, third child of French King Louis XVI and Queen Maria Josepha is born
February 17th – Nine Years War: Naval Action of Madras. Admiral Pocock defeats Comte de Ache off Madras, and negotiates a prisoner exchange for the captured British garrison.
February 18th – Nine Years War: Battle of Rajahmudry. British Forces led by Colonel Francis Forde defeat French forces led by Du Rocher, who was killed in the battle.
March 2nd – March 27th – Nine Years War: Siege of Masulipatum. Colonel Forde leads British Forces to victory over the French and captures Masulipatum after Conflans surrenders.
March 28th – Nine Years War: Battle of Hirschberg: Prussian forces led by Von Zietan and Von Seyditz inflicted a devastating defeat against Austrian forces led by Joseph von Siskovits. In the battle, Fredrick II, heir to Hesse-Kassel dies.
April - November – Nine Years War: The Acadian Retreat from Ile Royale, Ile St. Jean, the Peticodiac, Penobscot, St. John, Miramichi and Restigouche rivers, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence occurs. Out of near 14,000 Acadians in the Maritimes at the start of the war, the British led campaigns resulted in the deportation of some 1,500 Acadians to New England, and around 3,200 Acadians to France. Around 1300 died in the skirmishes or to starvation during the winter while the remaining population integrated into the Native communities, or fled further inland into Quebec.
April 4th – Nine Years War - Battle of Hanau: The Duke of Brunswick leads an allied force to defeat Astro-Bavarian forces near the city of Hanau, then retreats back to Hesse after learning of French forces preparing to invade the Palatinate.
April 25th - Naval Action – Nine Years War: The French Mediterranean Fleet under La Clue capture and sink British ships meant to supply the British Toulon blockade Fleet at sea.
May 3rd – Nine Years War – Battle of Jauer: Fredrick II of Prussia fights Josef von Daun of Austria to a stalemate near Jauer, before retreating to Liegnitz. While holding the field, Austrian forces were dealt a severe blow further putting on holds plan for a renewed Silesian offensive.
May 7th – Battle of Toulon – Nine Years War: The French Mediterranean Fleet led by La Clue break the British Toulon Blockade fleet led by Osborne. The British fleet is decisively defeated and flees back to Gibraltar, ending British presence in the Mediterranean Sea beyond Gibraltar.
May 26th – Battle of Pritzwalk – Nine Years War: Mecklenburg forces are defeated at Pritzwalk by Prussian forces, putting a halt to Mecklenburg’s advance into the Electorate of Brandenburg.
June 6th – Nine Years War – Battle of Frankfurt on the Main: At the start of the Palatinate Campaign, French, Austro-Bavarian and allied forces led by the Duc de Brogile defeat Hanover, British, Hessian, and allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick. The town of Frankfurt is severely damaged in the fighting.
June 8th – Nine Years War – Battle of Dortmund: Allied Forces led by George Germain 1st Viscount of Sackville are defeated by French forces led by the Marquis de Contades. The town of Dortmund is heavily damaged in the battle.
June 10th – William VIII, Langraf of Hesse-Kassel dies.
June 13th – Nine Years War - Battle of Anticosti: British Naval forces defeat a French Fleet off Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
June 14th – Nine Years War - Second Battle of Marburg: French, Austro-Bavarian and allied forces led by the Duc de Broglie defeat Hanover, British, Hessian and allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick.
June 17th – Nine Years War - Battle of Paderborn: Allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick and the Viscount of Sackville defeat French forces led by the Marquis de Contades. Contades is killed in action and one of the French armies in the Germanies is routed.
July 12th - August 3rd – Nine Years War - Siege of Niagara: After a 22 day siege the French surrender Fort Niagara to the British on August 3rd.
July 20th – Nine Years War – Battle of Posen: Fredrick defeats the Russian army led by Vasily Lopukhin near Posen. Russia is forced to retreat back across the Vistula River.
July 26th – Nine Years War – Battle of Liepzig: Austrian-Saxon forces defeat Prussian forces at Leipzig, retaking the city opening the way to the re-conquest of western Saxony.
August 1st – Nine Years War: War is officially declared between Austria and the United Kingdom
August 2nd – Nine Years War: Kassel falls to French and allied forces after a one month siege, effectively removing Hesse-Kassel from further participation in the war.
August 2nd – Nine Years War - Battle of Niagara: George Washington and
Sayenquaraghta defeated Marchard de Ligney’s French force meant to relieve the besieged Niagara garrison and de Ligney is killed in action.
August 3rd – Nine Years War – Massy Expedition: British forces led by Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy scouting Fort Ticonderoga are ambushed and defeated by the French. Massy is killed in action.
September 16th – Nine Years War – Battle of Pondicherry: A British fleet led by Admiral Pocock faces off again against the French fleet led by Admiral d’Ache. Both sides are heavily damaged but the British prevail. The Frech fleet takes additional losses on the way back to France, and never return to India in force for the rest of the war.
October 3rd – Nine Years War - Treaty of Copenhagen: In a peace treaty with France, Hesse-Kassel removes itself from the war, and loose most of its territory to the Hesse-Darmstadt branch. This would later lead to the formation of the Electorate of Hesse.
October 4th - November 1st – Nine Years War – Siege of Kolberg, Pomerania: Swedish and Russian forces fail to besiege the Prussian city of Kolberg after storms wreck several ships and a Prussian relief force beats back the already retreating besiegers on November 1st.
October 16th – December 7th – Nine Years War – Siege of Halle: Austro-Saxon-Bavarian forces lay siege to the Prussian city of Halle in western Saxony. The city finally falls on December 7th.
October 21st – Nine Years War – Battle of Nordhausen: French-Hesse-Darmstadt forces defeat a Hanoverian-Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel forces meant to relieve the Siege of Halle.
October 30th – 6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes the Levant
November 24th – Nine Years War – Battle of Chinsurah, India. British forces win a battle against Dutch East Indian forces near Chinsurah. Despite the battle the Dutch remain neutral, and the British gain supremacy in Bengal.
November 25th – 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes the Levant.
December 10th – Nine Years War - Naval Action of December 10th. British Fleet in the Atlantic captures French frigate Atlante (32) and three ships of less than 20 guns.
January 10th – Nine Years War: Muhamad Yusef Khan is killed in battle by the French during the Siege of Madras
January 15th – The British Museum opens after 6 years of development.
January 31st – Nine Years War: HMS Revenge (28) is captured attempting to run the French blockade during the Siege of Madras
February 2nd – Nine Years War: Madras, India falls to the French after nearly five weeks of siege.
February 5th – Princess Catherine Sophia, third child of French King Louis XVI and Queen Maria Josepha is born
February 17th – Nine Years War: Naval Action of Madras. Admiral Pocock defeats Comte de Ache off Madras, and negotiates a prisoner exchange for the captured British garrison.
February 18th – Nine Years War: Battle of Rajahmudry. British Forces led by Colonel Francis Forde defeat French forces led by Du Rocher, who was killed in the battle.
March 2nd – March 27th – Nine Years War: Siege of Masulipatum. Colonel Forde leads British Forces to victory over the French and captures Masulipatum after Conflans surrenders.
March 28th – Nine Years War: Battle of Hirschberg: Prussian forces led by Von Zietan and Von Seyditz inflicted a devastating defeat against Austrian forces led by Joseph von Siskovits. In the battle, Fredrick II, heir to Hesse-Kassel dies.
April - November – Nine Years War: The Acadian Retreat from Ile Royale, Ile St. Jean, the Peticodiac, Penobscot, St. John, Miramichi and Restigouche rivers, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence occurs. Out of near 14,000 Acadians in the Maritimes at the start of the war, the British led campaigns resulted in the deportation of some 1,500 Acadians to New England, and around 3,200 Acadians to France. Around 1300 died in the skirmishes or to starvation during the winter while the remaining population integrated into the Native communities, or fled further inland into Quebec.
April 4th – Nine Years War - Battle of Hanau: The Duke of Brunswick leads an allied force to defeat Astro-Bavarian forces near the city of Hanau, then retreats back to Hesse after learning of French forces preparing to invade the Palatinate.
April 25th - Naval Action – Nine Years War: The French Mediterranean Fleet under La Clue capture and sink British ships meant to supply the British Toulon blockade Fleet at sea.
May 3rd – Nine Years War – Battle of Jauer: Fredrick II of Prussia fights Josef von Daun of Austria to a stalemate near Jauer, before retreating to Liegnitz. While holding the field, Austrian forces were dealt a severe blow further putting on holds plan for a renewed Silesian offensive.
May 7th – Battle of Toulon – Nine Years War: The French Mediterranean Fleet led by La Clue break the British Toulon Blockade fleet led by Osborne. The British fleet is decisively defeated and flees back to Gibraltar, ending British presence in the Mediterranean Sea beyond Gibraltar.
May 26th – Battle of Pritzwalk – Nine Years War: Mecklenburg forces are defeated at Pritzwalk by Prussian forces, putting a halt to Mecklenburg’s advance into the Electorate of Brandenburg.
June 6th – Nine Years War – Battle of Frankfurt on the Main: At the start of the Palatinate Campaign, French, Austro-Bavarian and allied forces led by the Duc de Brogile defeat Hanover, British, Hessian, and allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick. The town of Frankfurt is severely damaged in the fighting.
June 8th – Nine Years War – Battle of Dortmund: Allied Forces led by George Germain 1st Viscount of Sackville are defeated by French forces led by the Marquis de Contades. The town of Dortmund is heavily damaged in the battle.
June 10th – William VIII, Langraf of Hesse-Kassel dies.
June 13th – Nine Years War - Battle of Anticosti: British Naval forces defeat a French Fleet off Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
June 14th – Nine Years War - Second Battle of Marburg: French, Austro-Bavarian and allied forces led by the Duc de Broglie defeat Hanover, British, Hessian and allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick.
June 17th – Nine Years War - Battle of Paderborn: Allied forces led by the Duke of Brunswick and the Viscount of Sackville defeat French forces led by the Marquis de Contades. Contades is killed in action and one of the French armies in the Germanies is routed.
July 12th - August 3rd – Nine Years War - Siege of Niagara: After a 22 day siege the French surrender Fort Niagara to the British on August 3rd.
July 20th – Nine Years War – Battle of Posen: Fredrick defeats the Russian army led by Vasily Lopukhin near Posen. Russia is forced to retreat back across the Vistula River.
July 26th – Nine Years War – Battle of Liepzig: Austrian-Saxon forces defeat Prussian forces at Leipzig, retaking the city opening the way to the re-conquest of western Saxony.
August 1st – Nine Years War: War is officially declared between Austria and the United Kingdom
August 2nd – Nine Years War: Kassel falls to French and allied forces after a one month siege, effectively removing Hesse-Kassel from further participation in the war.
August 2nd – Nine Years War - Battle of Niagara: George Washington and
Sayenquaraghta defeated Marchard de Ligney’s French force meant to relieve the besieged Niagara garrison and de Ligney is killed in action.
August 3rd – Nine Years War – Massy Expedition: British forces led by Lt. Colonel Eyre Massy scouting Fort Ticonderoga are ambushed and defeated by the French. Massy is killed in action.
September 16th – Nine Years War – Battle of Pondicherry: A British fleet led by Admiral Pocock faces off again against the French fleet led by Admiral d’Ache. Both sides are heavily damaged but the British prevail. The Frech fleet takes additional losses on the way back to France, and never return to India in force for the rest of the war.
October 3rd – Nine Years War - Treaty of Copenhagen: In a peace treaty with France, Hesse-Kassel removes itself from the war, and loose most of its territory to the Hesse-Darmstadt branch. This would later lead to the formation of the Electorate of Hesse.
October 4th - November 1st – Nine Years War – Siege of Kolberg, Pomerania: Swedish and Russian forces fail to besiege the Prussian city of Kolberg after storms wreck several ships and a Prussian relief force beats back the already retreating besiegers on November 1st.
October 16th – December 7th – Nine Years War – Siege of Halle: Austro-Saxon-Bavarian forces lay siege to the Prussian city of Halle in western Saxony. The city finally falls on December 7th.
October 21st – Nine Years War – Battle of Nordhausen: French-Hesse-Darmstadt forces defeat a Hanoverian-Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel forces meant to relieve the Siege of Halle.
October 30th – 6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes the Levant
November 24th – Nine Years War – Battle of Chinsurah, India. British forces win a battle against Dutch East Indian forces near Chinsurah. Despite the battle the Dutch remain neutral, and the British gain supremacy in Bengal.
November 25th – 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes the Levant.
December 10th – Nine Years War - Naval Action of December 10th. British Fleet in the Atlantic captures French frigate Atlante (32) and three ships of less than 20 guns.
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