Siege of Middleborough

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Siege of Middleborough
Part of the Tasmana War
MiddleboroughSiegeCannons.png
Officers inspecting cannons and trenches on the outskirts of Eastborough
Date24 May 1873 – 15 February 1875
Location
Result

Anti-government victory

  • End of the Tasmana War
  • Much of Eastborough and Middleborough destroyed
Belligerents
Kleiner Tasman
Noord Tasman
Nòu Occitània
Nueva Asturias
Pacifico
Sandavel
Zuid Tasman
Cumberland
Interior Tasmana
Kitchener
New Anglia
North Fluvanna
Saint Brendan
South Fluvanna
 The Furbish Islands
Commanders and leaders
Machiel Zonnenberg
NAME TBD
Units involved
Third Army
First Army
elements of the First, Fourth, and Fifth Armies, and 5th Furbish Brigade
Strength
120,000
70,000 initial, 50,000 reinforcements
50,000 soldiers
10,000 civilians
Casualties and losses
19,000 killed in action
34,000 died from disease and hypothermia
50,000 wounded
8,000 killed in action
18,000 died from disease and hypothermia
20,000 wounded
15,000 deserted
Civilian casualties:
5,000+ died from all causes

The Siege of Middleborough was the last engagement of the Tasmana Mountain Campaign and Tasmana War. It began in XXX when anti-government forces under Machiel Zonnenberg surrounded pro-government forces under XXX in Middleborough and some surrounding towns, and ended with XXX's surrender in XXX. The siege was the longest engagement in the Tasmana War.

By summer 1874 pro-government forces were pushed back to the Tasmana Mountans, which began the bloody Tasmana Mountain Campaign. By the end of summer, they were pushed back to only a handful of holdouts including Middleborough. Anti-government forces attacked the holdout in all directions in XXX but were pushed back. Under direct command of Zonnenberg, they surrounded Middleborough and began a trench warfare campaign. In a week, pro-government forces in Westborough defected, allowing anti-government forces to capture the city. A second hastily planned assault was launched the same day and soldiers gained some ground, especially around Westborough, but were stopped.

The third assault was launched one month later when reinforcements arrived. It captured parts of Eastborough and other towns, but failed to capture many of its targets and saw heavy casualties. One month later when forces recovered, the fourth assault was launched which captured most of Eastborough but with heavier casualties. The fifth assault was launched in XXX before the winter set in but was pushed back. In early 1875 the sixth assault was launched, which broke through defenses in Middleborough. Heavy fighting continued for the next two days until pro-government forces announced a surrender. As Middleborough contained the last holdout of pro-government forces, its surrender marked the end of the Tasmana War.

The siege was the longest engagement in the Tasmana War. The cities of Eastborough and Middleborough were destroyed almost completely, being more damaged than Harrisbarig or Noorderstein, and never regained their prominence for decades. Westborough, which surrendered early on, was spared much of the damage. The siege also saw the use of trench warfare and modern weapons, foreshadowing their use in the First Great War.

Background

Opposing forces

Anti-government

General staff: Anti-government forces were under command of Machiel Zonnenberg. He moved his headquarters to XXX.

  • Chief of staff: NAME
  • Commander of artillery: NAME
  • Adjutant: NAME
  • Quartermaster: NAME

Third Army: The Third Army initially surrounded pro-government forces in Middleborough.

  • Commander: NAME
  • Chief of staff: NAME
  • Commander of artillery: NAME
  • Adjutant: NAME
  • Quartermaster: NAME
Corps Divisions Brigades Regiments
I Corps
  • COMMANDER
First Division
  • COMMANDER
First Brigade
  • COMMANDER
  • 69th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
  • 420th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
First Brigade
  • COMMANDER
  • 69th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
  • 420th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
Second Division
  • COMMANDER
Second Brigade
  • COMMANDER
  • 69th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
  • 420th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
First Brigade
  • COMMANDER
  • 69th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER
  • 420th PROVINCE
    • COMMANDER

First Army: The First Army was sent in XXX to reinforce the Third Army.

Pro-government

Prelude and initial attacks

Beginning of siege

Fall of Westborough

Second assault

Third Assault

Fourth assault and fall of Eastborough

Fifth assault

Final assault

Surrender

Aftermath