Pacific Escapades

THE EMPIRE OF THE BLAZING SUN MAKE THEIR DEBUT ON THE OPEN WATER AGAINST THE INDIAN RAJ

AAR - The Prussian Empire versus The Russian Coalition and Indian Raj

"The great Moskva-class Dreadnought Dzerzhinsky was lost to the Prussian Empire in the early months of 1871, a mighty prize and a potent symbol for Prussian superiority in the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the Baltic. The vessel was taken to a hidden base near Stavangar, stripped of her secrets and rebuilt by Prussian scientists as the Markgraf. This incredible warship appeared in only one engagement, destroying a Russian Battle Group near Tambar, before disappearing once more - Prussian Naval Command would not risk losing their prize. 

For nearly two years, nothing was heard, and though the Russians made several covert attempts to discover the location and status of the Dreadnought, it was not until January, 1873 that the Markgraf was sighted once more off the coast of Norway, taking part in manoeuvres with a combined task force of Danish and Prussian vessels. The response was unusually swift for the Russian Coalition - they immediately diverted several squadrons from their Northern Fleet and ordered attacks down the Norwegian coast. 

To aid them in this endeavour and clearly perturbed by an aggressive Russian fleet so close to their national waters, the Kingdom of Britannia despatched a small Task Group formed of colonial vessels from the Indian Raj to meet with them and aid in their initial forays. 

The first attack was against a small listening post near Lofoten. The Prussian Empire responded in kind. A powerful Interdiction Fleet moved to intercept the belligerent Russian Navy, and would meet them at Lofoten..."

- The Hunt for the Markgraf

Naval Battles of 1873

AAR - The Honourable Eclipse Company and Indian Raj versus The Chinese Federation

"The Pearl of Borneo, Labuan had operated as a refuelling station and port for many ships in the World War, but largely avoided the fighting. This was to end as a sizeable flotilla of Chinese warships crested the horizon, looking to damage the infrastructure of the Grand Coalition and cut their supply lines. 

Suspecting such a move, the Admiralty of the Britannian Royal Navy had ordered a Battle Group from the Indian Raj to garrison the port, and even allowed the fleet commander a small bursary to supplement his forces with mercenary troops - an investment quickly used to give the garrison aerial defences in form of the Honourable Eclipse Company. 

As the Chinese fleet began their approach, the Indian fleet appeared from behind the derricks and began their bombardment, using their powerful Howitzers to try and dissuade further attack. It did not work, and it seemed that the battle would be decided in closer quarters..."

- The Cauldron: War in the South China Sea

Naval Battles of 1872

AAR - The Chinese Federation versus The Indian Raj and Royal Australians

"The rolling invasion of the Malaysian ports by the Chinese Federation devastated huge swathes of Grand Coalition territory, their immense fleets and land forces destroying any who stood in their path. Merchant and civilian vessels were no match for their new technologies, and the East India Merchant Company were hard-pressed to counter such a wide invasion with their limited, albeit elite, resources. 

Appealing to the Kingdom of Britannia, the East India Merchant Company were rewarded with the commitment of a Battle Group of the Indian Raj, veteran sailors with newly developed, impressive technologies. Supplementing this, they secured the services of several Australian ships who would work in support of Battle Group Katari. 

Driving through the Singapore Strait at full speed, the Coalition fleet moved against one of the earliest targets of the Chinese Federation, Pulau Tioman. Rumour abounded of a great Wall erected around the island, and a Great Beast that defended it, constantly circling behind the Wall. Scoffing at such nonsense, the young Fleet Captain Sardarilal M. Dhowan committed to the attack..."

- The Cauldron: War in the South China Sea

Naval Battles of 1872

AAR - The Indian Raj and Royal Australians versus The Prussian Empire

"In the Autumn of 1873, the Imperial Bond had renewed their pursuit of Grand Coalition shipping with vigour, seeking to ambush and destroy those convoys daring to travel close to the expanding ice sheets around Greenland and Iceland. The Prussian Empire and their Danish allies were especially active, operating from their bases in Greenland with impunity as the Americans struggled in the Pacific and the Kingdom of Britannia tried to hold their grip on North Africa.

Increasingly stretched despite the size of their Royal Navy, the Kingdom of Britannia drew upon allies from the colonies - the Indian Raj and the loyal Australian navies were ordered to send reserve fleets halfway across the world to help defend their convoys and give the Britannian Battle Fleets the freedom to engage in active warfare instead of escort duty.

New ships and new commanders brought fresh eyes to the brutal Atlantic theatre. Seeing the strength of the Prussian Navy around Greenland and the Federated States' disastrous attempt to attack them directly at Holsteinsborg, Admiral Sardarilal M. Dhowan formed a plan for an ambush, luring the Prussian Wolf Packs out with the promise of barely-defended merchant shipping. Using strange new technologies, he would hide his fleet and launch a bold counter-attack when the Prussians made their move.

The plan was as bold as it was obvious, but Dhowan was confident that the Prussians, who had not faced the Indian Raj on open water before, would be unprepared for their new tricks. He played his hand  just off Newfoundland, leading the fleet himself from the flagship Marutagana..."

 - New Eyes, New Enemies - Exploits of the Indian Raj in the North Atlantic

Naval Battles of 1873

The Indian Raj - Naval Battle Group

THE FLEET IS READY TO SET SAIL

Painting the Raj: Step-by-Step

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO PAINTING THE INDIAN RAJ

What's On The Painting Table? September Edition

THE INDIAN RAJ CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE PAINTING TABLE

Painting Progress - The Indian Raj

THE FIRST TEST MODEL IS COMPLETED FOR THE INDIAN RAJ

The Raj Revealed

UNBOXING THE INDIAN RAJ AND INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THEIR MODELS AND RULES

I may struggle with this scheme!