Siege of Middleborough

Siege of Middleborough
Part of the Tasmana War
Officers inspecting cannons and trenches on the outskirts of Eastborough
Location Middleborough, Interior Tasmana, The Furbish Islands and surrounding towns 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	Ernst Campbell  †
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 22 August 1874 when anti-government forces under Machiel Zonnenberg surrounded pro-government forces under Ernst Campbell in Middleborough and some surrounding towns, and ended with the surrender of pro-government forces in January 27th, though sporadic fighting continued into the next day. 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 from the Third Army surrounded the holdout and attacked in all directions in 22 August but were pushed back. Under direct command of Zonnenberg, they laid siege to Middleborough and began a trench warfare campaign. Campbell conscripted civilians from the cities into his army, including Daniel Forbes who was made a captain and sent to the front lines in Westborough on 27 August after one day of training. He defected immediately, allowing anti-government forces to capture the city in a second hastily planned assault. They captured Westborough but were stopped everywhere else, facing heavy casualties.

The third assault was launched on 30 September when the First Army arrived to reinforce the Third. Anti-government forces captured parts of Eastborough and other towns, but failed to capture many of their targets and once again saw heavy casualties. On 20 October when forces recovered, the fourth assault was launched, which captured most of Eastborough but with heavier casualties. The fifth assault was launched in 15 November, before the winter set in but was pushed back. Several skirmishes and breakout attempts were fought between each assault, without much success from either side. In 25 January 1875 the sixth assault began, which broke through defenses in Middleborough. Heavy fighting continued for the next two days until Campbell was killed and pro-government forces announced a surrender. Sporadic fighting continued until the 28th. 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, and known for its heavy destruction and loss of life. 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. More soldiers died from disease and hypothermia than from enemy fire. Many civilians were also killed, but the number is not known. Campbell is seen as mainly responsible for the siege's destruction due to his unwillingness to surrender when the odds were against him. Zonnenberg also remains controversial for his role, being nicknamed the "Butcher of Tasmana". For his role, Forbes as seen as a hero, especially in Westborough where he prevented its destruction and loss of life. The siege also saw the use of trench warfare and modern weapons, foreshadowing their use in the First Great War.

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

Pro-government forces consisted of elements from the First, Fourth, and Fifth Armies, and 5th Furbish Brigade. Ernst Campbell, the Commander of the Fifth Army, assumed command of the force as he was the most senior officer. After the first assault, Campbell reorganized the force into the short lived Army of Middleborough.

• 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