Chapter 2 The Windward Isles

Chapter two set-up.

Overview

Several weeks have passed since the French fleet arrived at Port Royale. The Fleet has recovered from its Atlantic journey and been reinforced with the Martinique squadron. It is now ready for the next steps. Its must finish escorting the trade convoy to Cap Francois. In addition, it must land an invasion force to seize a British territory. The Island of St Lucia or Tobago are considered weak enough for the invasion force to capture. St Lucia is closer but better defend, or Tobago, which is further away but less well defend.

French Briefing

After the rest, the French now need to escort the trade convoy to its final destination in St Lucia.  In addition, they should consider the capture a British territory by landing an invasion force on it. There are two potential targets for invasion St Lucia which is closer but better defend, or Tobago, which is further away but less well defend. Alternative the fleet could send support to the rebellion in the northern colonies.

The French can add ships from the Martinique squadron to any of their squadrons. Fleets can be re-organisation as players see fit but the lead Admirals (de Grasse and Hood) must always have the largest squadron after any re-organisation and the rear admirals (de Bougainville and Affleck) must always have the smallest squadron after an re-organisation. Also flagships can not move between squadron’s. 

French Options 

Option 1:

de Grasse’s squadron escorts the trade convoy,de Monteil’s squadron escorts the invasion force to St Lucia, de Bougainville’ squadron sails North to support the rebellion.

Option 2:

de Monteil’s squadron escorts the trade convoy, de Bougainville’ squadron escorts the invasion force  to St Lucia, de Grasse’s squadron sails north to support the rebellion..

Option 3:

de Bougainville’ squadron escorts the trade convoy, de Grasse’s squadron escorts the invasion force  to St Lucia, de Monteil’s squadron sails north to support the rebellion.

Option 4:

de Grasse’s squadron escorts the trade convoy,de Monteil’s squadron escorts the invasion force to Tobago, de Bougainville’ squadron sails north to support the rebellion.

Option 5:

de Monteil’s squadron escorts the trade convoy, de Bougainville’ squadron escorts the invasion force to Tobago, de Grasse’s squadron sails north to support the rebellion.

Option 6:

de Bougainville’ squadron escorts the trade convoy, de Grasse’s squadron escorts the invasion force to Tobago, de Monteil’s squadron sails north to support the rebellion.

British Briefing:

After a pause after the Martinique engagement the British fleet is reinforced with ships from the Antigua squadron.  The size of the French fleet suggests this is not a normal trade convoy and the French intend to capture territories to improve their conditions in the Caribbean or send support to the northern rebellion.  Tobago and St Lucia are potential targets with defences in Tobago in particularly bad order.  The British need to protect their territories, prevent the trade convoy from bring supplies to the region and stop any support reaching the northern rebellion. 

The British can add ships from the Antigua squadron to any of their squadron. Fleets can be re-organisation as players see fit but the lead Admirals (de Grasse and Hood) must always have the largest squadron after any re-organisation and the rear admirals (de Bougainville and Affleck) must always have the smallest squadron after an re-organisation. Also flagships can not move between squadron’s. 

British Options

Option A:

Hood’s squadron moves to intercept the trade convoy, Drake’s squadron moves to protect St Lucia, Affleck’s squadron moves to protect Tobago

Option B:

Drake’s squadron moves to intercept the trade convoy, Affleck’s squadron moves to protect St Lucia, Hood’s squadron moves to protect Tobago

Option C

Affleck’s squadron moves to intercept the trade convoy, Hood’s squadron moves to protect St Lucia, Drake’s squadron moves to protect Tobago.