L'Invasion du Grande-Bretagne

[pearsonwright]

This Timeline will explore a French Invasion of Britain and its aftermath.



July 3-5, 1759: A British Fleet commanded by George Rodney bombards Le Harvre, aiming to destroy most of the French Transports assembled for an invasion of Britain. The bombardment, while appearing a resounding success, failed to destroy all of the French Transports, and gave the British a false sense of Security.

Early July, 1759: British Admiral Boscawen, who had been tasked with blockading the French Toulon Fleet, retreats back to Gibraltar to refit his ships which had been damaged by French Batteries.

Late July, 1759: At a war council held in Paris, the French foreign minister Choiseul managed to convince the French Cabinet to proceed with the original plan[1]. The French would be able to capitalize on the false sense of security the British had, with the element of surprise.

August 4, 1759:Boscawen's Fleet arrives at Gibraltar, and begins refitting

August 5, 1759:French Admiral de la Clue, commander of the French Toulon Fleet, leaves Toulon for the West Indies. After arriving in the West Indies, de la Clue was to gather more ships to bolster his fleet, and assist in the Invasion of Britain

August 17, 1759:The French Toulon fleet passes through the Straight of Gibraltar, where they attract the attention of Boscawen's Fleet. Boscawen's Fleet left in haste, and as a result was spread out over several miles. As the British fleet got into formation, the French Fleet managed to gain distance from the British, and get into proper formation themselves.

August 18, 1759:Severe winds slowed down both fleet's, who struggled to stay in Battle formation. The winds were more severe on the French Toulon Fleet, allowing for the British Fleet under Boscawen to catch up

August 19, 1759:Early in the Morning, Admiral's de la Clue and Boscawen both order their ships into battle formation. The Battle of Lagos began around noon, when the approaching British fleet was bombarded by a massive French broadside. The French managed to cause severe communication problems among the British, when they damaged the HMS Namur, Boscawen's flagship. These communication problems allowed the French to gain the upper-hand in the battle, sinking 3 British Ships-of-the-Line, and critically damaging 4 more. The British still fought valiantly, and sunk 2 French Ships-of-the-line, and critically damaging another 2. As night fell, both fleets withdrew from combat and reformed.

August 19, 1759:Early in the Morning, Admiral's de la Clue and Boscawen both order their ships into battle formation. The Battle of Lagos began around noon, when the approaching British fleet was bombarded by a massive French broadside. The French managed to cause severe communication problems among the British, when they damaged the HMS Namur, Boscawen's flagship. These communication problems allowed the French to gain the upper-hand in the battle, sinking 3 British Ships-of-the-Line, and critically damaging 4 more. The British still fought valiantly, and sunk 2 French Ships-of-the-line, and critically damaging another 2 as the day wore one. As night fell, both fleets withdrew from combat and got back into formation.

August 20, 1759: British Admiral Boscawen, decided to cut his losses and retreat back to Gibraltar, where his damaged ships could be refitted, and French trade could continued to be harassed. De la Clue continued to the West Indies, and left the British to escape unmolested.

Late August, 1759: When news of de la Clue's victory[2] reached France, Choiseul began making the final preparations needed for the Invasion to occur. Workers at Le Havre, Brest, St Malo, Nantes, Morlaix and Lorient, worked to finish the Transports needed to transport the nearly 100,000 French Soldiers to the island of Great Britain. Duc d'Aiguillon, was sent to Loire, where he and 20,000 soldiers, would embark for Scotland when the invasion was launched. Charles de Soubise was sent to Le Harve, where he and nearly 50,000 soldiers would embark for Portsmoth when the invasion was launched. The remaining soldiers would be sent as reinforcements if the initial landings were a success. The Privateer Francois Thurot, was to launch a diversion from Dunkirk to assist the invasion as well.

October, 15 1759:A Massive storm forced the British Fleet commanded by Edward Hawke to stop blockading the French Coast, but the commander of the French Brest Fleet, Comte de Conflans, decided against a break out, waiting for de la Clue's fleet to return from the West Indies, and assist him against the Hawke's British fleet and for the final Transports to be finished.

October, 20 1759: Hawke's British fleet resumes blockading the French Coastline. De la Clue's fleet arrives in the West Indies, and soon departs after gathering 6 Frigates to join them, and leaving the 2 damaged Ships-of-the-Line behind for repairs.

Late October, 1759: The French invasion force is "Invasion ready", and awaits for the right moment to strike.

November 11, 1759: A strong Westerly gale forced Hawke's British Fleet to make port at Torbay, England.

November 15, 1759: De la Clue, and the remnants of the French Toulon Fleet, arrive at Brest, then join up with Conflans' Fleet. The combined French Fleet commanded by Conflans set sail to Loire, where they are to defeat Robert Duff's British Fleet (which was currently stationed in Quiberon Bay), then escort Duc d'Aiguillon and his men to the Firth of Clyde, where they were to begin the Invasion of Scotland with Jacobite support.

November 16, 1759: Hawke's British fleet leaves Torbay to give chase to Conflan's French fleet.

November 19, 1759: Conflan's intentionally slows down his fleet, so he can attack Robert Duff's fleet in a surprise attack next dawn. While the French fleet managed to ward off 3 British ships who tried to warn Duff of their presence, Hawke's fleet was closing fast on the French.

November 20, 1759: Conflan's Fleet early in the morning managed to inflict a incredible amount of damage on Duff's fleet in a surprise attack, sinking or damaging 4 of his 5 Ship-of-the-Lines, and 6 of his 9 Frigates. However, Duff managed to sink or damage 5 French Ships of the Line, 1 of the French Frigates. When Hawke's Fleet arrived, he found a strong French Fleet opposing him, with little support available from Duff. Hawke still managed to cause significant damage to the French Fleet, due to the better quality of his ships and sailors. However, the British initial successes would be short lived, as Hawke's flagship, the HMS Royal George was sunk by not long into the battle by French cannons, taking Hawke and many officers with it. With the British command structure in disarray, the French managed to scatter, sink, or destroy the rest of the British fleet, for some moderate losses. While the French Fleet had 12 Ships-of-the-Line sunk or severely damaged, British losses were far heavier, with 19 Ships-of-the-Line captured, sunk, or damaged beyond repair. After this devastating British defeat, the French were now in a position to launch their Invasion of Britain.

November 21, 1759: After their decisive Victory[3], the French Fleet, which left behind the damaged Ships-of-the-Line for repair starts to escort Duc d'Aiguillon and his men to the Firth of Clyde. The other elements of the French Invasion ready themselves to launch early next morning.

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[1]-This is the POD, IOTL the French scaled back the Invasion Plans
[2]-ITTL, the French Win/Stalemate because the British display more caution when going after the French, allowing the French more time to stay in formation, and not be spread apart and picked off one by one like IOTL
[3]-ITTL, the French win because they have more ships (they didn't lose as many at Lagos), and because they intercepted all the ships that went to warn Duff at Quiberon Bay, allowing them to launch a surprise attack and hurt the British badly before dealing with Hawke's fleet.

[Joyeux]

Looks very interesting.
But, shouldn't the title be L'Invasion du Grande-Bretagne

[pearsonwright]

Originally Posted by Joyeux

Looks very interesting.
But, shouldn't the title be L'Invasion du Grande-Bretagne

Google Translate has failed me again.

[Gwenc'hlan]

No it's l'invasion de la Grande-Bretagne

[pearsonwright]

Originally Posted by Gwenc'hlan

No it's l'invasion de la Grande-Bretagne

I know almost no French, so I hope your right

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Any comments on the plausibility of this? or how the French Invasion might do once they land?

[Yorel]

Originally Posted by Gwenc'hlan

No it's l'invasion de la Grande-Bretagne

I'm French and I confirm this.

Also, interesting start for a TL.

[Badshah]

Originally Posted by pearsonwright

I know almost no French, so I hope your right

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Any comments on the plausibility of this? or how the French Invasion might do once they land?

He is. Grande Bretagne is feminine, so de la would be correct. Du replaces de le, which is non existent for masculine words, so saying:

L'invasion de la Grande-Bretagne is correct.

[pearsonwright]

Originally Posted by Yorel

I'm French and I confirm this.

Also, interesting start for a TL.

Thank you.

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Before I make the next update I have a few general questions.

A)when the French Land at Portsmouth and capture the city, what is their next move? Would they sit still and try to create a secure supply line, and wait for reinforcements, or immediately march to London?

B) How would the British, whose soldiers are mainly local militia's, resist a French force 3 times their size composed of professional soldiers?

C) If the French manage to capture London, do they essentially win the war, or do the British continue resistance? If so, where does the British government flee to?

D)How do other fronts in the Seven Years war progress? Specifically the Hanoverian Front (I suspect many British soldiers and officers will demand to return home and defend their native country)?

E)What kind of Government will the French Military instate in the various area's they occupy? (England, Scotland and Ireland)

F)What could the post-war world look like in the aftermath of the invasion?

[Badshah]

Originally Posted by pearsonwright

Thank you.

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Before I make the next update I have a few general questions.

A)when the French Land at Portsmouth and capture the city, what is their next move? Would they sit still and try to create a secure supply line, and wait for reinforcements, or immediately march to London?

B) How would the British, whose soldiers are mainly local militia's, resist a French force 3 times their size composed of professional soldiers?

C) If the French manage to capture London, do they essentially win the war, or do the British continue resistance? If so, where does the British government flee to?

D)How do other fronts in the Seven Years war progress? Specifically the Hanoverian Front (I suspect many British soldiers and officers will demand to return home and defend their native country)?

E)What kind of Government will the French Military instate in the various area's they occupy? (England, Scotland and Ireland)

F)What could the post-war world look like in the aftermath of the invasion?

Well I would argue that since this is 18th century warfare, it would essentially end with the capture of London with some token resistance.

[pearsonwright]

Originally Posted by trollhole

Well I would argue that since this is 18th century warfare, it would essentially end with the capture of London with some token resistance.

Once in control of London, would the French negotiate with the British Government and just get significant gains, or try to install a puppet (maybe a Jacobite?) as ruler of Britain and get Massive gains and not have to worry about the British ever again.

[Badshah]

Originally Posted by pearsonwright

Once in control of London, would the French negotiate with the British Government and just get significant gains, or try to install a puppet (maybe a Jacobite?) as ruler of Britain and get Massive gains and not have to worry about the British ever again.

France would probably do both....

[Parma]

As mentioned, it is the 18th century, war is diplomacy with other means. I think, Franche demand sugar islands of the carabien, secure borders of North American teritories, and a Catholic on the Throne(just to keep the Uk the next decades busy with internal matters)

[Remicas]

1759 = Pre-Revolutionnary for still 30 years. And the French werenot so much atheist, more anti-clerical (why bother reforming the Church if you don't believe ?).

[Mumby]

Originally Posted by mowque

The age of religious wars was long over by this point. Besides, this is POST-Revolutionary France. You know, the rabidly atheist one? Granted, by this time that wave had passed but placing Catholic's on thrones? Not really logical.

Ummm... No it isn't? This is the 1750s! The American Revolution hasn't even happened, let alone talk of rebellion in France! If France wins the war, they have all the cards.

[mowque]

Originally Posted by Remicas

1759 = Pre-Revolutionnary for still 30 years. And the French werenot so much atheist, more anti-clerical (why bother reforming the Church if you don't believe ?).

Originally Posted by Mumby

Ummm... No it isn't? This is the 1750s! The American Revolution hasn't even happened, let alone talk of rebellion in France! If France wins the war, they have all the cards.

Oops!

Ignore me *deletes post*

[Xgentis]

Interesting timeline.
They will probably secure their suply line crush any organised resistance and march on London.

[Simreeve]

But did France actually have enough shipyard capacity to produce the extra transports needed for moving so large an army at such short notice? And the spare government funding to pay for all of that construction?

[pearsonwright]

Originally Posted by Simreeve

But did France actually have enough shipyard capacity to produce the extra transports needed for moving so large an army at such short notice? And the spare government funding to pay for all of that construction?

The French had been drilling constantly since December of 1758 to board the transports quickly (some sources say as little as 7 minutes, but I gave them a couple hours to board). Plus the force that has launched so far, is only 20,000 men (who will land in Scotland), not the entire force

325 Transports were needed to move 50,000 men, so France needs 650 to move all of their people. France spent about 30 million Livres to build 325 ships, and spending another 30 million (while expensive) isn't inconceivable, and It could theoretically be less since the French are planning to move people in two waves.

Originally Posted by Parma

As mentioned, it is the 18th century, war is diplomacy with other means. I think, Franche demand sugar islands of the carabien, secure borders of North American teritories, and a Catholic on the Throne(just to keep the Uk the next decades busy with internal matters)

What would happen to Hannover? I don't think the British would want George II still in control of a large country (and in a position to retake the UK). Could Austria perhaps annex it? (or maybe France trades it for Palatine with the ruler of Palatine, so it gets the Rhine border)

Also, somewhat conveniently, George II could die soon after the Invasion (he died on October 25, 1760), which might allow for a Jacobite to be restored. However, the Dutch warned the French not to do this, so could they perhaps join the war against France, or would that be a lost cause by this point?

[pearsonwright]

November 22, 1759: Early in the Morning, a French privateer named Francois Thurot launched a diversion from Dunkirk. Thurot's Fleet sailed in the direction of London, to convince the British the French landing would take place at the Thames Estuary. Throut's diversion fooled the British, and kept many British warships out of the English Channel, allowing for Sou. After deceiving the British, Thurot and his fleet set course for Norther Ireland, where they were to capture Belfast and divert British troops north in hopes of a Jacobite rebellion. Around Noon that same day, 50,000 French soldiers under the command of Charles de Soubise board their transports and set sail for Portsmouth, England. While a few transport's were attacked and sunk by a few stray British warships, the transport fleet managed to land near Portsmouth, almost completely intact.

November 23, 1759:Early in the Morning, disorganized groups of French Soldiers began attacking Portsmouth. While the French were very disorganized, the British were taken completely by surprise, and Portsmouth fell by the end of the day. The Isle of Wright, and neighboring Southampton were also captured by disorderly groups of French soldiers.

November 25, 1759:Charles de Soubise finally organized almost all of his scattered troops, and departs Portsmouth with 45,000 men to capture London. The remaining soldiers are left to garrison Portsmouth and Southampton, and to make sure supply routes are left uninterrupted.

November 26, 1759: The British invoke the Militia act, providing John Ligonier with 30,000 militiamen to augment his force of 10,000 Professional soldiers. Ligonier's force was mainly consisted of militiamen, because most British soldiers were currently fighting in Hanover, and could not be recalled. Lignoier planned to fight the French on a ground of his choosing in a defensive battle outside of London

November 27, 1759: 20,000 French soldiers commanded by Duc d'Aiguillon land on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Before marching on Glasgow, the French sent out messengers to contact Jacobite leader's of their arrival, and secure supplies and soldiers from them.

November 28, 1759: The 20,000 French soldiers commanded by Duc d'Aiguillon land begin to march towards their first target, Glasgow. As the French March progressed, Jacobite recruits began to bolster the French Ranks, swelling the French Army to 25,000 men, along with providing the French army with some much needed supplies. Soon after, the French Fleet commanded by Conflans departed for Le Harve, where they would escort the remaining French troops and Charles Edward Stuart (should he be available) to Maldon, Essex. Once arriving at Maldon, the new French soldiers would reinforce the French Army commanded by Charles de Soubise, who were already advancing towards London.

November 29, 1759: Duc d'Aiguillon's army now swells to 32,000 with more Jacobite recruits streaming in. However, with the supply situation becoming more dire, the French pillage much of the countryside, although they take precautions to avoid damaging property owned by Jacobite's.

November 30, 1759: Duc d'Aiguillon's army of 32,000 captures Glasgow with minimal resistance due to overwhelming numbers. D'Aiguillon sets up his center of command in Glasgow, and focuses on establishing control of the countryside and securing supplies, before making a push to Edinburgh and Dundee.

December 3, 1759:Charles de Soubise's Army reaches Cobham, England, where Ligoniers English Army was waiting. Both side's sent skirmisher's forward to probe each other's force weakness' and to figure out the general quality of their opponents troops. While encouraged that his soldiers were of far better quality, Soubise decided to wait a day to fight, as nightfall was approaching.

[Socrates]

I'm not sure a successful diversion to land troops is going to make for a successful invasion. For the French to keep their supply lines they need naval domination, otherwise they're simply going to end up with a major chunk of their army cut off on foreign soil.