The Fair Treatment
- Thread starter RyanBrune
- Start date
The war was going well for Prussia. The Prussians were able to get a large hold in Bohemia. It would even be able to draw troops from the region that was unhappy with the Austrian rule. Now Prussia needed to defend its flank. The Russians had sucsessfully cut off Memel from the rest of the country. The only way Prussia and Britain could reinforce the island was by sea. However the sea presented another problem. While the British and Prussian navies heavily outnumbered the obsolete Russian fleet, it was still able to harass shipments and cause several additional problems. The British and Prussians needed to knock out the Russian naval presence in the Baltic, or at least isolate it in a small location. It was determined to be impossible to force an engagement so they chose the latter. Throughout the later stages of the spring of 1757 the British and the Prussians corralled the Russian fleet into the Gulf of Finland. Now the Prussians could attempt to relieve the Prussian-British force trapped within Memel. They planned to launch an attack from two fronts. From the North a Anglo-Prussian force numbering nearly twenty thousand men would attack Heydekrug. Additionally a force of fifteen thousand Prussian soldiers launch from Königsberg. They would completely surround the city before the Russians could react. The attack was to begin on the tenth of June. Unfortunately for Prussians they decided to attack at the worst time. The Russians decided to advance starting on the 8th of April towards Memel. The weather had finally improved to the point where the Russians could advance. They were just as surprised as the Prussians in the middle of nowhere. The Russians won the ensuing battle for several reasons. First of all the outnumbered the Prussians 10:3. In addition the Anglo-Prussian force lost any of the defensive advantages it would have had with the numerous forts surrounding Memel. The Russians reacted by simply by splitting their force in half. The first half took Memel on the 21st. The second half fell back to Heydekrug to defend against the southern Prussian advance. The Russians scored their first major victory in the war.
The Prussians panicked. The soon started to allocate a large amount of resources to East Prussia. This is not what they wanted to do, but their hand was being forced. Massive fort construction was started around Königsberg. In addition they kept a garrison force in the city numbering nearly thirty-five thousand Prussians and eight thousand British soldiers. In addition they pulled back from the entirety of East Prussia that was over 20km east of the city. The Prussians could not afford to hold onto this land. The Russians soon filled the void.
The 20th of July was a very important date for France. An army numbering fifty thousand men had been assembled at Nancy during the last few months and was now ready to depart. It would be led by Louis Charles César Le Tellier, a prominent French general. The target was Hanover. The electorate of Hanover has been in personal union with Great Britain and it was determined by French command to be a worth place for an invasion. It took around a month to arrive. This left ample time for the British to organize a defense. William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland with 35,000 British and Hanoverian troops was able to receive an additional 5,000 Prussian soldiers. He recognized that he would have fewer troops, and many less cannons. He decided the most appropriate strategy would be to let the French converge on one point, which would be heavily fortified, and attempt to win a decisive victory. A battle that neither side expected occurred on the 6th of September near the city of Hastenbeck. Both sides through everything they had at each other. And the result was surprising. Both armies practically crippled each other in the bloodiest battle of 1757. Nearly 20,000 Frenchmen died and another 10,000 were injured. The British suffered similar casualties. The end result of the battle was a pyrrhic victory for the British. While they defend their army was smashed, the future of Hanover was still very much unknown.
Austria was in a peculiar state. Its allies had been doing pretty against Prussia, however it was not. Prague was still in the hands of the enemy. Most Austrian generals thought that it would be in Austria’s best interest if they were to attack and recapture Prague as soon as possible. However Empress Theresa disagreed. She thought that it would be futile to attack before they could organize a large army. She realized the size of her country, in terms of population, was far greater than Prussia. She decided that the Austrian army would hunker down in fortified positions within Bohemia and raise a large army and not attack until it was assembled under a competent commander. The Austrians would advance in the spring of 1758.
Britain was now starting to realize its greatest flaw. Great Britain had a much lower population than the other powers. This naturally meant it could field fewer soldiers. However its allies needed soldiers. Great Britain was forced to send soldiers to Prussia, Hanover, and its own colonies in order to ward of the enemy. In addition it seemed likely that Spain was going to invade Portugal as well. Britain was being spread thin.
King George II of the United Kingdom
The Prussians panicked. The soon started to allocate a large amount of resources to East Prussia. This is not what they wanted to do, but their hand was being forced. Massive fort construction was started around Königsberg. In addition they kept a garrison force in the city numbering nearly thirty-five thousand Prussians and eight thousand British soldiers. In addition they pulled back from the entirety of East Prussia that was over 20km east of the city. The Prussians could not afford to hold onto this land. The Russians soon filled the void.
The 20th of July was a very important date for France. An army numbering fifty thousand men had been assembled at Nancy during the last few months and was now ready to depart. It would be led by Louis Charles César Le Tellier, a prominent French general. The target was Hanover. The electorate of Hanover has been in personal union with Great Britain and it was determined by French command to be a worth place for an invasion. It took around a month to arrive. This left ample time for the British to organize a defense. William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland with 35,000 British and Hanoverian troops was able to receive an additional 5,000 Prussian soldiers. He recognized that he would have fewer troops, and many less cannons. He decided the most appropriate strategy would be to let the French converge on one point, which would be heavily fortified, and attempt to win a decisive victory. A battle that neither side expected occurred on the 6th of September near the city of Hastenbeck. Both sides through everything they had at each other. And the result was surprising. Both armies practically crippled each other in the bloodiest battle of 1757. Nearly 20,000 Frenchmen died and another 10,000 were injured. The British suffered similar casualties. The end result of the battle was a pyrrhic victory for the British. While they defend their army was smashed, the future of Hanover was still very much unknown.
Austria was in a peculiar state. Its allies had been doing pretty against Prussia, however it was not. Prague was still in the hands of the enemy. Most Austrian generals thought that it would be in Austria’s best interest if they were to attack and recapture Prague as soon as possible. However Empress Theresa disagreed. She thought that it would be futile to attack before they could organize a large army. She realized the size of her country, in terms of population, was far greater than Prussia. She decided that the Austrian army would hunker down in fortified positions within Bohemia and raise a large army and not attack until it was assembled under a competent commander. The Austrians would advance in the spring of 1758.
Britain was now starting to realize its greatest flaw. Great Britain had a much lower population than the other powers. This naturally meant it could field fewer soldiers. However its allies needed soldiers. Great Britain was forced to send soldiers to Prussia, Hanover, and its own colonies in order to ward of the enemy. In addition it seemed likely that Spain was going to invade Portugal as well. Britain was being spread thin.
King George II of the United Kingdom
Witch0Winter
Banned
This TL seems criminally unappreciated. I am still reading to the latest update, but it is going excellent so far. Especially since I don't see many good French TLs. Keep up the good work! 
I'll have more to comment once I've caught up.
I'll have more to comment once I've caught up.
Sorry for the short update, I have been very busy.
Britain was in disarray. The French naval offensive had left the Eastern seaboard in shambles. Britain did not have a major functional port left on the East coast. The extent was still not completely totaled up but it was estimated that it could take two years for the port of Boston to operate at fifty percent of what it did before the attack. In addition the British tactical position was in shambles after the fall of Newfoundland. The situation was so dire that the commander of the British forces in North America, Edward Braddock, called an emergency meeting in Philadelphia. There they outlined a new plan, one that would hopefully return Britain to its rightful place. It was referred to as the Northern plan. The actual plan was quite simple. British forces would hold their ground for months until warmer weather in April would permit there advance. All British forces as far south as New Orleans would march North, they would eliminate every French fort in their way. Eventually the combined British North American force would rendezvous in the Great Lake region and then launch the final assault on Quebec. They would be supported from an army from the Rupert’s Land. In addition a small contingent of five thousand men would be stationed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The British plan severely underestimated the aggressiveness of the French. Maurice de Saxe wanted to end the war quickly. He was a fond believer of not letting the enemy consolidate their position. He decided he would attack when the British would least expect. During the cold month of October he left Quebec with an army with a staggering twenty two thousand soldiers. This was the largest European army that had ever been assembled in the Americas. He was able to generate such a large army with enormous support from the French settler population Quebec. He was going to capture Nova Scotia. On December the 1st the Army arrived, with massive support from a navy comprised of over twenty ships of the line. By mid-January the entirety of Nova Scotia was under French control. The British stood no chance, being outnumbered 4:1. Arcadia was once again French. However Maurice de Saxe received something more valuable than he could have imagined. During the short week long siege of Halifax a copy of the Northern plan was obtained by Maurice. The documents perplexed him. His officers pointed out the seemingly obvious plan, they should take Boston and New England as fast as possible, there was no professional army in their way. However Maurice was smart and responded, “These British, or Americans – as they often call themselves, are some of the most Tenacious people I have met. The militias they could rise would defeat us. However France will one day be ready for the challenge. And that day is close at hand, I promise you that. The days of France being at Britain’s knees are soon to end. Vive la France.” He pointed a minor part of the plan. Rupert’s Land, the behemoth of land to the North and Northwest of New France was largely undefended and was poised to be captured.
Although largely unappreciated the Native Americans were one the biggest advantages the French had. From doing everything from launching constant raids on colonial villages to actually serving in the French professional army they proved their worth. The especially proved themselves useful in the French invasion of Rupert’s land where in only a short few months they took the Capital of York Factory. Only the thirteen colonies remained in the way of complete French supremacy of the continent.
Britain was in disarray. The French naval offensive had left the Eastern seaboard in shambles. Britain did not have a major functional port left on the East coast. The extent was still not completely totaled up but it was estimated that it could take two years for the port of Boston to operate at fifty percent of what it did before the attack. In addition the British tactical position was in shambles after the fall of Newfoundland. The situation was so dire that the commander of the British forces in North America, Edward Braddock, called an emergency meeting in Philadelphia. There they outlined a new plan, one that would hopefully return Britain to its rightful place. It was referred to as the Northern plan. The actual plan was quite simple. British forces would hold their ground for months until warmer weather in April would permit there advance. All British forces as far south as New Orleans would march North, they would eliminate every French fort in their way. Eventually the combined British North American force would rendezvous in the Great Lake region and then launch the final assault on Quebec. They would be supported from an army from the Rupert’s Land. In addition a small contingent of five thousand men would be stationed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The British plan severely underestimated the aggressiveness of the French. Maurice de Saxe wanted to end the war quickly. He was a fond believer of not letting the enemy consolidate their position. He decided he would attack when the British would least expect. During the cold month of October he left Quebec with an army with a staggering twenty two thousand soldiers. This was the largest European army that had ever been assembled in the Americas. He was able to generate such a large army with enormous support from the French settler population Quebec. He was going to capture Nova Scotia. On December the 1st the Army arrived, with massive support from a navy comprised of over twenty ships of the line. By mid-January the entirety of Nova Scotia was under French control. The British stood no chance, being outnumbered 4:1. Arcadia was once again French. However Maurice de Saxe received something more valuable than he could have imagined. During the short week long siege of Halifax a copy of the Northern plan was obtained by Maurice. The documents perplexed him. His officers pointed out the seemingly obvious plan, they should take Boston and New England as fast as possible, there was no professional army in their way. However Maurice was smart and responded, “These British, or Americans – as they often call themselves, are some of the most Tenacious people I have met. The militias they could rise would defeat us. However France will one day be ready for the challenge. And that day is close at hand, I promise you that. The days of France being at Britain’s knees are soon to end. Vive la France.” He pointed a minor part of the plan. Rupert’s Land, the behemoth of land to the North and Northwest of New France was largely undefended and was poised to be captured.
Although largely unappreciated the Native Americans were one the biggest advantages the French had. From doing everything from launching constant raids on colonial villages to actually serving in the French professional army they proved their worth. The especially proved themselves useful in the French invasion of Rupert’s land where in only a short few months they took the Capital of York Factory. Only the thirteen colonies remained in the way of complete French supremacy of the continent.
Witch0Winter
Banned
Oh my, looks like a very interesting war of the French can have such total domination of North America like that. Loving this war and TL.
Oh my, looks like a very interesting war of the French can have such total domination of North America like that. Loving this war and TL.
I think... this war has to been to kind to France thus far, I may give it some surprises
.The Prussians who just a few months earlier were in a commanding position were now scrambling to salvage the situation. While the Prussian lines held strong in Bohemia and Moravia the Prussian position in East Prussia was Tenuous at best. The Prussians effectively gave up have the territory, as they only controlled Königsberg and the lands west of it. However the Prussians were an experienced, tenacious nation, they would do everything they possibly could to make sure the war ended in their favor. They hoped the new year of 1758 would be the year to reclaim the initiative. By February they had the largest network of forts in the world surrounding Königsberg to protect it from any Russian advance. Now that Prussia did not have to worry about Russia it could attempt to deal with Austria. An army of sixty-five thousand men had been consolidated by Hans Joachim Zieten, a Prussian general. The Prussians were ready to punch a hole through the Austrian lines. The ensuing days would be remembered as the best days of Prussia. The Austrians, who were assured by the Russians the Prussians were permanently tied down in East Prussia were unprepared. It was said when the Prussians attacked on 12th of February the majority of the Austrian army was on temporary leave or weren’t even in uniform. The Austrian line simply collapsed and casualties were simple immense. The Prussians advanced mile after mile, day after day. When the Austrians were able to stabilize the front in mid-March the Prussian army was only around fifty kilometers away from the outskirts of Vienna. Austrian collapse seemed imminent. The war almost would have certainly ended within a few months if it wasn’t for the Russians.
The Russians were planning to attack the Prussian fortifications in April, but upon hearing about the situation in Austria they decided that they needed to attack as soon as possible. In late march that offensive became a reality. The Russians had a major advantage over the Prussians, the fact they only had theater they were forced to fight in, and unfortunately for the Prussians, that theatre was in Prussia. During the winter the Russians were able to acquire a massive force. By March there were nearly one hundred and fifty thousand troops under the command of Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin, the Russian commander. His plan was simple, to smash his forces into the Prussian defense. It would be simple. It would be attrition. Wave after wave of Russians was sent into the immense Anglo-Prussian fortification. Wave after wave of Russians died. But Russia was relentless. Math triumphed in the end. By mid-April the Russians broke through, East Prussia was compromised. The bloodiest battle of the war was over. Sixty-five thousand Russians were dead, the same amount were injured. Russia had finally proven itself to be a Great Power to the world. With East Prussia gone, a slow march west began.
Prussia was now in an unthinkable situation. Sometimes unthinkable actions are perhaps the rational in unthinkable situations. Frederick II’s plan was certainly unthinkable. With the Prussian forces slow close to Vienna he made a split decision. All of the troops throughout Prussia would be recalled to the Austrian front. Prussia would attempt an all-out offensive to capture Vienna and force a surrender. He would launch this offensive at the expense of his defense against Russia. If Prussia was to lose this battle Russia would consume it. The Austrians didn’t even attempt to fight the Prussians until they reached Vienna. They needed to buy as much time as possible against the Prussians.
Prussia truly needed to win for several reasons. If the Russians weren’t a big enough threat from the east, perhaps Prussia should look to the west. France, the largest country in terms of population in Europe, had transitioned to war. Everyone found a way to pitch it, from join the military or farming for the troops if you were male, or knitting clothing and comfort goods if you were female. France was prepared to shine in 1758. It would not succumb to defeat as it had in 1757 against the British in Hanover. The victory they had been waiting for finally came in April. Louis Charles César Le Tellier was finally able to take Hastenbeck with an army outnumbering his opponent 2:1. The battle was over within a few hours. French casualties were low.
This was perhaps Prussia’s final hour thought Frederick the Great. He needed to take Vienna, the fate of Europe rested in the balance. He commenced the battle on the 23th of June. History dictated how the battle would turn out. Vienna was a city of miracles. In 1529 the city, by perhaps an act of god, pushed back the seemingly unstoppable Ottoman menace. It did the same in 1683. The Austrians were horribly outnumbered, outgunned, and out maneuvered. The only piece of the chess board they had left was the king, and they were in check. However the Austrians came through. Every citizen it seemed… young or old… frail or agile… man or woman, did everything they could. Many died, but Austria was not ready to fall. Slowly the Prussian army withered. The Austrians were victorious. The crippled Prussian army was forced to retreat. But the question was, what to? The Prussians seemingly had exhausted their last option.
She was no longer struggling. There was silence. “She’s dead! Elizabeth is dead!”
The Russians were planning to attack the Prussian fortifications in April, but upon hearing about the situation in Austria they decided that they needed to attack as soon as possible. In late march that offensive became a reality. The Russians had a major advantage over the Prussians, the fact they only had theater they were forced to fight in, and unfortunately for the Prussians, that theatre was in Prussia. During the winter the Russians were able to acquire a massive force. By March there were nearly one hundred and fifty thousand troops under the command of Stepan Fyodorovich Apraksin, the Russian commander. His plan was simple, to smash his forces into the Prussian defense. It would be simple. It would be attrition. Wave after wave of Russians was sent into the immense Anglo-Prussian fortification. Wave after wave of Russians died. But Russia was relentless. Math triumphed in the end. By mid-April the Russians broke through, East Prussia was compromised. The bloodiest battle of the war was over. Sixty-five thousand Russians were dead, the same amount were injured. Russia had finally proven itself to be a Great Power to the world. With East Prussia gone, a slow march west began.
Prussia was now in an unthinkable situation. Sometimes unthinkable actions are perhaps the rational in unthinkable situations. Frederick II’s plan was certainly unthinkable. With the Prussian forces slow close to Vienna he made a split decision. All of the troops throughout Prussia would be recalled to the Austrian front. Prussia would attempt an all-out offensive to capture Vienna and force a surrender. He would launch this offensive at the expense of his defense against Russia. If Prussia was to lose this battle Russia would consume it. The Austrians didn’t even attempt to fight the Prussians until they reached Vienna. They needed to buy as much time as possible against the Prussians.
Prussia truly needed to win for several reasons. If the Russians weren’t a big enough threat from the east, perhaps Prussia should look to the west. France, the largest country in terms of population in Europe, had transitioned to war. Everyone found a way to pitch it, from join the military or farming for the troops if you were male, or knitting clothing and comfort goods if you were female. France was prepared to shine in 1758. It would not succumb to defeat as it had in 1757 against the British in Hanover. The victory they had been waiting for finally came in April. Louis Charles César Le Tellier was finally able to take Hastenbeck with an army outnumbering his opponent 2:1. The battle was over within a few hours. French casualties were low.
This was perhaps Prussia’s final hour thought Frederick the Great. He needed to take Vienna, the fate of Europe rested in the balance. He commenced the battle on the 23th of June. History dictated how the battle would turn out. Vienna was a city of miracles. In 1529 the city, by perhaps an act of god, pushed back the seemingly unstoppable Ottoman menace. It did the same in 1683. The Austrians were horribly outnumbered, outgunned, and out maneuvered. The only piece of the chess board they had left was the king, and they were in check. However the Austrians came through. Every citizen it seemed… young or old… frail or agile… man or woman, did everything they could. Many died, but Austria was not ready to fall. Slowly the Prussian army withered. The Austrians were victorious. The crippled Prussian army was forced to retreat. But the question was, what to? The Prussians seemingly had exhausted their last option.
She was no longer struggling. There was silence. “She’s dead! Elizabeth is dead!”
Last edited:
Witch0Winter
Banned
You and your damned beautiful maps!
Definitely some interesting developments in the war. I love to see Russia rising in the east, always a favorite part of TLs for me. Also, now that Prussia is getting down to business, I wonder how the war will continue. Vienna isn't taken for now, but how long can it hold out? Then again, Prussia could very well be overstretching itself...
Loving this TL still, and I look forward to the next update!
Definitely some interesting developments in the war. I love to see Russia rising in the east, always a favorite part of TLs for me. Also, now that Prussia is getting down to business, I wonder how the war will continue. Vienna isn't taken for now, but how long can it hold out? Then again, Prussia could very well be overstretching itself...
Loving this TL still, and I look forward to the next update!