Borogravia-Carthaginian War

The Borogravia-Carthaginian War is an ongoing armed conflict between Borogravia and New Carthage.

Causes
The Borogravia-Carthaginian War was caused by Carthaginian expansion. Following the discovery of Australis, New Carthage colonised large parts of the continent, as well as Tuesday Island and Providence Island.

Borogravia, possessing no overseas territories of its own besides a tiny territory in Alituria, was eager to expand itself. As a result, it began to look to other nations such as New Carthage as possible sources of colonies.

Mobilisation and Declaration of War
In April 1908, large numbers of Borogravian soldiers and artillery including 30,000 infantry, 200 gatlings, 200 mortars, and 20 cannon, as well as a logistics corps with 400 horses, sailed down the Kneck to the Aliturian Colony. Submarine bases were also built in this colony, from which submarines purchased from the West Carthage Company could operate in the Hinsho Sea and as far down the Aliturian coast as the Straits of Punicea.

Submarine attack on Carthaginian Fleet
On the evening of Monday 1st August, 1908, 20 submarines of the Duchess' Royal Navy snuck into the military harbour at New Carthage. They remained below water with engines switched off until 8:00 AM on Tuesday 2nd, when they opened fire on various naval and civilian vessels. In the Carthaginian fleet were 1 pre-dreadnought, 1 coast-defence ship, 2 armoured and 2 protected cruisers, plus 8 torpedo boats. Out of these, the pre-dreadnought, the coast-defence ship, 1 armoured and 2 protected cruisers, and 4 torpedo boats sank. The frigates were out with destroyers on reconnaissance. Personnel loss were 800 sailors. 3 Borogravian submarines were destroyed, with 30 sailors.

Reception

Following the attack, Radio New Carthage announced that the "[...] attacks by Borogravia submarines into our very harbour, to attack our great fleet, are an unacceptable act of war. We will go to war, wage just war on the aggressor, fight to the last to defend our territory and our colonies. We will not surrender in a hurry [...] Long live the Republic. Long live Carthage and the Punic people".

New Carthage declared a state of war on Borogravia, and a Tyrant was elected.

Among others, the RCM offered aid to New Carthage. This was turned down.

Bombing of Saguntum Nova
In order to cause New Carthage to surrender and hasten the war's end and perhaps force a negotiation, Borogravian airships rented from the Airship Co. bombed Saguntum Nova and its docks and shipyard. 400 civilians were killed and loss to property amounted to over £860,000 nocks. As a result of civilian killings, New Carthage labelled it a "war crime"

Invasion of Tuesday Island
On December 20th 1908, Borogravia dispatched an amphibious assault fleet bound for Tuesday Island, with 4,000 infantry, 100 gatlings, and 50 mortars, with 1 gunboat for the bombardment plus an escort of 2 protected cruisers.

Interception of Borogravian fleet

Setting forth from the colony under the cover of night, the convoy was intercepted by the Hinsho Fleet with 1 protected cruiser and 2 torpedo boats intercepts the convoy off Gomūbashō. During the confrontation, 1 transport was severely damaged and returned to port with all surviving crew. 14 casualties were recorded. On the Carthaginian side, 1 torpedo boat damaged and returned to Port Claudius, Humerlandish Inutilia, which was officially neutral, for repairs.

Landing

The reduced force consisting of 2,700 infantry, 67 gatlings, and 34 mortars, landed at Tuesday Island on 1st January 1909 at 4:00 hours, supported by a barrage from 1 gunboat and 2 protected cruisers. They were met by a Carthaginian force of 1,500 infantry, 60 mortars, 60 gatlings, and 10 cannon. The gatlings raked advancing troops with fire while the big guns on the ridge bombarded them.

Following the landing, Borogravian forces dug in and assumed a defensive position on the beach, with mortar- and gatling-crews and their guns set up in positions between the rocks.

Battle of the Ridge

The battle of the ridge lasted from 8:00 AM on Tuesday 3rd January, to 9:00 PM the following day. The battle involved Borogravian infantry charging up the ridge to attempt to capture the guns. The Borogravians eventually captured the ridge, resulting in Casualties: 340 Borogravians, 200 Carthaginians, 200 Borogravians killed, 231 Carthaginians wounded, 600 Carthaginians captured. 60 gatlings and 10 cannon were captured by Borogravian forces.

Surrender of Carthaginian Troops

Following the capture of the ridge, the Carthaginian force continued to fight for three weeks, but surrendered to Borogravian forces on 26th January.