Peshawar Lancers Redux: Asia

Keep it up, Chris!

 

1899 Fighting broke out between the forces of the Republic of China and the Empire of the Rising Sun as both countries jocked over territory in Southern China . The Hawaiians and the British both worked to get a cease fire and work toward an agreement of borders between the two groups. This resulted in a period of fighting, talks and then more fighting for all of the year. Finally with both sides worn out an agreement was hammered out and the new year began with peace.

 

Unfortunately the peace in China only lasted for 6 months before fighting resume over the border between the two sides. Talks in Hong Kong finally resulted in a settlement of the issue the was approved by the Emperor.

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

With the Border issue finally resolved between China and the Empire of the Rising Sun there was some co-operation between the two sides with regard to restoration of rail lines and infrastructure. The British and Hawaiians took turns mediating disputes between the two parties. The issue of Indochina seemed to also divide the two parties. At times the two seemed to flip flop over whether they supported the French or the Thais.

 

March 1900 Kabul Afghanistan The British Intelligence Service had been keeping an eye on this country for decades. It was always thought to be a threat to British India. With the Fall it became even more of a place that needed to be watched.
Recently the Political officers had reported more activity than was normal. It was believed that the sleeping Bear had awoken and was trying to stir up trouble . Thus a detachment of the Peshawar Lancers was to make a show of force and convince the Afghans not to stir up a lot of trouble.

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

The one Hundred and Twenty Lancers moved quickly through the Khyber Pass. They ran into some trouble from some Afghan tribesmen who thought it would be great fun to kill the Invaders But the Commander had sent part of his force on foot and they caught the Afghan Tribesmen in a crossfire. The dead were check for any intelligence and their weapons were carefully examined. While some of the rifles appeared to be old dating from the 1840s the found at least 4 modern Russian made ones that appeared to be new thus confirming that the Russians were up to something. reunited the force moved quickly toward an area where gelignite thought the Russian weapons might be..

 

After the Peshawar Lancers returned from their operation a decision was made that a much larger operation was needed. The War Office put their planning staff to work and after approval by the General Staff and the Prime Minister the forces began to assemble.. It was the largest assembling of forces since the Crimean War. Forty-eight Battalion of British, Indian Army and Gurkha's were assembled organized into 16 Brigades and then into 5 divisions. The Cavalry numbered 6 British and 6 Indian Army Regiments supported by 60 guns. A Brigade of Engineers and signal personnel was added as well as quartermaster, Medical and others . By Early June the force moved through the pass and began a major clearing operation of Afghanistan. The orders were to clear the region of any threat to Anglo-India

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

The Army included some well known Generals: Wolsey, and Roberts It was clear from the size of the Force that the General Staff had order a large force to ensure that the mission was accomplished and to send a signal to the Russians DO NOT MESS WITH US.. In addition several airships were available to carry out recon missions and two were also equipped to drop bombs. Reserves were also moved to the region with 4 Brigades of Infantry and two of Cavalry.

 

The newly created Royal Air Service bombed several sites where ambushes were spotted. The result was the Invasion force was able to March throuch the Khyber Pass without any loses.

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

Field Marshal Roberts directed General Wolsey to take a reinforced division and strike at what intelligence believe was a serious munitions storage facility. Meanwhile he would continue to press toward Kabul with the Main column . Aerial intelligence was helping to keep him inform of any threats. The Field Marshal praised the support that he was getting from the Royal Air Service.

 

A major clash of arms had taken place in both Mongolia and in Manchuria between Russian and fores of the Empire of the Rising Sun. The British Empire was informed of this by the Ambassador to the Court of St James in India.

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

Britain was very concern with its operation in Afghanistan and really had no desire to become engaged in a full scale war. However, the reports it received from the Empire of the Rising Sun was enough to cause a rethinking of the position. The Russians had driven the empire out of Mongolia. The Empire had repulse the Russian thrust into Manchuria.

 

Britain's Foreign Minister arrived In Tokyo and was greeted by his Japanese counterpart. The British Foreign Minister was there with the Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff, a Colonel in the Royal Air Service and an admiral of the Royal Navy.The parties were to meet at the Foreign Ministry were they would be joined by members of the Imperial Military. The Empire of the Rising Sun was hopeful that an agreement could be reached so as to put forth a united front against the Russians making a settlement more likely.

 

Keep it up, Chris!

 

The Royal Hong Kong Police had arrested several Individuals in what was now called the Hawaiian Case Three Police officials from the Empire of the Rising Sun also arrived in Hong Kong with a Prisoner and information that would be turned over to Inspector Hendricks of the Royal Hawaiian Constabulary at the Hawaiian Consulate.