Chapter One Hundred Three
Chapter One Hundred Three: The Great War - The Invasion of Panama
Archduke Karl's strategy for attacking Panama began unexpectedly: bombing by French and Colombian ships on the Pacific side of the canal. The British fleet in the Pacific was headed to reinforce India, so the governor of Panama had to send critical troops to meet that threat.
As Lord Cecil had guessed, except for minor adjustments the Imperial convoy headed for Havana continued on past Cuba for the fleet headed to engage the British at Colon, Panama. Most of the cargo ships continued on to land in Colombia, dropping troops in Austrian roadsters equipped to carry a lot of them.
The British had partially caught up to the Imperial air force, which meant that in situations like this, the defenders had the advantage of having a place to land, rearm, and refuel. But that advantage was about to vanish. Because the carriers that had stayed with the fleet weren't cargo carriers.
They were aircraft carriers.
Once again the British were surprised and dismayed by Imperial planes tearing through their defenses. Panama had gotten the four remaining dreadnoughts but they were taking heavy damage.
The forces of the Two Empires hammered at the British for 12 days, both sides incurring heavy losses. The Americans sent all the ships they had, but on passing Havana, their defensive fleet engaged and destroyed the American fleet. And for once, it was the British that didn't have the numerical advantage.
Ultimately word came first that the Austrian army had crossed the border, and then that Panama City had fallen and the ships in the Pacific were sailing freely to the battle in the Caribbean. At that point, the natives of Panama had had enough. Word came from Panama City, and the guns defending Colon started firing on the British meant to protect them.
The British fleet withdrew, as best they could, and Karl and Tessa landed in Colon to meet Jose and Miguel who had led the land attack. The Panamanians were dismayed to hear of the territory being transferred to Colombia, but Karl had been authorized to offer them compensation. For the time being, there was peace. But they still needed to end this war quickly, so more attention could be paid to peace here.
Most importantly, the Imperial force took control of the British communication hub. Karl sent word back to Havana, and sent a message to the British letting them know that they'd blow the locks if they were forced out.
But then a message came from Havana. Karl read it and crumpled.
"Papa, what is it?" Tessa asked.
Karl had to make a few goes before he could proceed. "Your poor Mama has passed."
"No!" Jose gasped. "She was in good health when we left!"
"It seemed she went in her sleep." Then, as with his father, Karl felt a sharp pain in his chest. At the worst possible moment.
Tessa, Jose, and Miguel went immediately from sorrow to alarm. "Sit, Papa," Tessa pleaded. "Jose, get the doctor from my ship."
"On it." Having to deal with their father's collapse didn't really help. But it gave them something to keep them occupied.
Archduke Karl's strategy for attacking Panama began unexpectedly: bombing by French and Colombian ships on the Pacific side of the canal. The British fleet in the Pacific was headed to reinforce India, so the governor of Panama had to send critical troops to meet that threat.
As Lord Cecil had guessed, except for minor adjustments the Imperial convoy headed for Havana continued on past Cuba for the fleet headed to engage the British at Colon, Panama. Most of the cargo ships continued on to land in Colombia, dropping troops in Austrian roadsters equipped to carry a lot of them.
The British had partially caught up to the Imperial air force, which meant that in situations like this, the defenders had the advantage of having a place to land, rearm, and refuel. But that advantage was about to vanish. Because the carriers that had stayed with the fleet weren't cargo carriers.
They were aircraft carriers.
Once again the British were surprised and dismayed by Imperial planes tearing through their defenses. Panama had gotten the four remaining dreadnoughts but they were taking heavy damage.
The forces of the Two Empires hammered at the British for 12 days, both sides incurring heavy losses. The Americans sent all the ships they had, but on passing Havana, their defensive fleet engaged and destroyed the American fleet. And for once, it was the British that didn't have the numerical advantage.
Ultimately word came first that the Austrian army had crossed the border, and then that Panama City had fallen and the ships in the Pacific were sailing freely to the battle in the Caribbean. At that point, the natives of Panama had had enough. Word came from Panama City, and the guns defending Colon started firing on the British meant to protect them.
The British fleet withdrew, as best they could, and Karl and Tessa landed in Colon to meet Jose and Miguel who had led the land attack. The Panamanians were dismayed to hear of the territory being transferred to Colombia, but Karl had been authorized to offer them compensation. For the time being, there was peace. But they still needed to end this war quickly, so more attention could be paid to peace here.
Most importantly, the Imperial force took control of the British communication hub. Karl sent word back to Havana, and sent a message to the British letting them know that they'd blow the locks if they were forced out.
But then a message came from Havana. Karl read it and crumpled.
"Papa, what is it?" Tessa asked.
Karl had to make a few goes before he could proceed. "Your poor Mama has passed."
"No!" Jose gasped. "She was in good health when we left!"
"It seemed she went in her sleep." Then, as with his father, Karl felt a sharp pain in his chest. At the worst possible moment.
Tessa, Jose, and Miguel went immediately from sorrow to alarm. "Sit, Papa," Tessa pleaded. "Jose, get the doctor from my ship."
"On it." Having to deal with their father's collapse didn't really help. But it gave them something to keep them occupied.