WI Knights of st John decide to fight against Napoleon instead of surrendering

So as we know the knights contolled Malta. However wI Emmaneul de Rohan Grandmaster does not die. So then when Napoleon invades wi the defenses are prepared. In otl the knights were warned but due to the incompetancy of the german head they surrendered. So WI the order with it's spy network completly fortifies and prepares to fight the French commanded by the aging but brilliant Emmanuel. What happens. Does Malta fall or can Malta hold out like it always does. Heck 6100 knights defended the city from over 48k ottomans under suleyman. Could they accomplish the same feat against Napoleon. After all they know excactly how to fight battles where they are outnumbered.
 
So as we know the knights contolled Malta. However wI Emmaneul de Rohan Grandmaster does not die. So then when Napoleon invades wi the defenses are prepared. In otl the knights were warned but due to the incompetancy of the german head they surrendered. So WI the order with it's spy network completly fortifies and prepares to fight the French commanded by the aging but brilliant Emmanuel. What happens. Does Malta fall or can Malta hold out like it always does. Heck 6100 knights defended the city from over 48k ottomans under suleyman. Could they accomplish the same feat against Napoleon. After all they know excactly how to fight battles where they are outnumbered.

Do they have modern (as of the day) weaponry and so on?
 
Well there are a couple of problems I foresee, not insurmountable ones, mind you but problems. The first being that the Knights of St. John at the time of the 18th century still regarded themselves as an exclusively anti-Muslim organization. One of the main arguments for NOT resisting Napoleon was that his troops were culturally Christian. The other problem I see is that there were substantial numbers of Frenchmen in the Knights of St. John, all of whom were less than enthusiastic about fighting their countrymen.

As for overcoming these problems, I guess you could have the Knights brand Napoleons' troops as Jacobins (however inaccurate that may be, it just might work in circumventing the whole "Christian" thing) and perhaps the French Knights are influenced by disaffected refugees from the Vendee joining the Order earlier on.

Assuming that the hurdles which led to them capitulating in OTL are dealt with, the battle itself could go either way in my opinion. First of all it should be noted that the French arrival was greeted with a revolt of the local population, who were eager to see the primarily foreign born knights, kicked off the island. This means that unlike the 16th century battle of Malta, TTL's Knights will not have the support of the locals. This means that holding the city is going to be impossible and the Knights are going to have to retreat to their fortress(es) on the island. Whether or not these fortresses are adequately prepared will define the battle. If they're not then it goes much like OTL, perhaps a few days longer.

Given that the Knight's fortifications are built in such a way that they dominate the harbor and are capable of raining fiery death on the French ships, Napoleon is forced to either deal with the forts or try to resupply under fire (however limited that may be...) and continue on to Egypt.

Worst Case Scenario for Napoleon: The Knights are prepared for his arrival and send word to the British. Napoleon invades Malta and with the help of the local Maltese drives the Knights of St. John back to their fortification which has been filled to the gills with all possible supplies to resist the French. Here Napoleon is forced into a siege like situation and delayed long enough to allow the Royal Navy to arrive and inflict a decisive defeat on the French fleet/army. Napoleon is captured/killed and history is forever changed.
 
Well there are a couple of problems I foresee, not insurmountable ones, mind you but problems. The first being that the Knights of St. John at the time of the 18th century still regarded themselves as an exclusively anti-Muslim organization. One of the main arguments for NOT resisting Napoleon was that his troops were culturally Christian. The other problem I see is that there were substantial numbers of Frenchmen in the Knights of St. John, all of whom were less than enthusiastic about fighting their countrymen.

As for overcoming these problems, I guess you could have the Knights brand Napoleons' troops as Jacobins (however inaccurate that may be, it just might work in circumventing the whole "Christian" thing) and perhaps the French Knights are influenced by disaffected refugees from the Vendee joining the Order earlier on.

Assuming that the hurdles which led to them capitulating in OTL are dealt with, the battle itself could go either way in my opinion. First of all it should be noted that the French arrival was greeted with a revolt of the local population, who were eager to see the primarily foreign born knights, kicked off the island. This means that unlike the 16th century battle of Malta, TTL's Knights will not have the support of the locals. This means that holding the city is going to be impossible and the Knights are going to have to retreat to their fortress(es) on the island. Whether or not these fortresses are adequately prepared will define the battle. If they're not then it goes much like OTL, perhaps a few days longer.

Given that the Knight's fortifications are built in such a way that they dominate the harbor and are capable of raining fiery death on the French ships, Napoleon is forced to either deal with the forts or try to resupply under fire (however limited that may be...) and continue on to Egypt.

Worst Case Scenario for Napoleon: The Knights are prepared for his arrival and send word to the British. Napoleon invades Malta and with the help of the local Maltese drives the Knights of St. John back to their fortification which has been filled to the gills with all possible supplies to resist the French. Here Napoleon is forced into a siege like situation and delayed long enough to allow the Royal Navy to arrive and inflict a decisive defeat on the French fleet/army. Napoleon is captured/killed and history is forever changed.
:eek::eek::eek: To think history would change with a victory by the knights who ruled Malta:D
 
:eek::eek::eek: To think history would change with a victory by the knights who ruled Malta:D

However keep in mind this victory will not change the fact that the Knights are going to lose control over Malta. Napoleon's invasion in OTL demonstrated that the Knights were simply too weak to control such a vital island any more, the Order's strength having atrophied considerably since the 16th century. Even if everything goes the Order's way in TTL, their forts hold, the RN arrives in time, and Napoleon is defeated, this doesn't change. There's simply no way the Royal Navy is going to allow Malta to remain under the control of such a weak organization. Furthermore TTL doesn't change the fact that the Order has overstayed their welcome with the Maltese people.

I'd wager that in the aftermath of the War the Knights are forced to relocate from Malta. Where too, that's a good question...
 
However keep in mind this victory will not change the fact that the Knights are going to lose control over Malta. Napoleon's invasion in OTL demonstrated that the Knights were simply too weak to control such a vital island any more, the Order's strength having atrophied considerably since the 16th century. Even if everything goes the Order's way in TTL, their forts hold, the RN arrives in time, and Napoleon is defeated, this doesn't change. There's simply no way the Royal Navy is going to allow Malta to remain under the control of such a weak organization. Furthermore TTL doesn't change the fact that the Order has overstayed their welcome with the Maltese people.

I'd wager that in the aftermath of the War the Knights are forced to relocate from Malta. Where too, that's a good question...

Alternatively a deal is struck with Britain in which they maintain rule over the islands, but accept the placement of a British military presence to 'fortify and support the Strength of the Knights of St. John'.
 
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