Chapitre 52: Planning for Bermuda

Philadelphia, United States of America

September 26th, 1776

"Eight frigates and a few schooners and sloops are at our disposable," Captain John Paul Jones reiterated as he spoke with the military officers gathered in the room, "The French Navy in the area is aware of our current plans to capture the island and has offered to provide naval assistance."

"What is the navy facing, captain?" General Kim asked.

"We expect at least a dozen warships to be based around the island, though we have received information that their presence around the island is inconsistent. It seems as though they have their hands full raiding American merchant ships and fighting off any incursions by the Spanish and French Navy."

The officers were gathered in a local barrack built to accommodate the thousands of soldiers in the city. General Washington departed to Virginia several days before checking up on the local militias and troops stationed across the United States. Meanwhile, General Kim and his men were garrisoning Philadelphia and preparing for the war's next and final step.

Captain Jones rubbed the back of his neck as he continued, "With the assistance of the French Navy, our forces will most likely outnumber them. However, I have severe doubts about the quality and training of my men. Some were former sailors or officers for various ships, but many of them are untrained, and their abilities are questionable."

General Kim agreed with the man's assessment, "That may be so, but any delays on our attacks may allow the British to bring in reinforcements or toughen the defenses on the island. The Bermuda civilian population is sympathetic to our cause, but unless we land troops directly and contest the British there, they will not rise to aid us."

"The problem is the landing part, general," Captain Jones stated, "While we might be able to pull off a victory, the British Navy will put up a very good fight and might deny us total naval supremacy. Our current plan is to land a regiment of marines on the island and seize it, but if for some reason the British are still able to contest the waters around the island..."

"Then our forces will be cut off and stranded."

"Precisely."

The general looked around the room questioningly, "Does anyone have suggestions on how to get around this problem?"

Most of the officers under General Kim's command were veterans and had plenty of experience improvising and adapting according to the situation. As such, the general did not shy away from asking his subordinates for any ideas or suggestions. While most of the officers stood silently and pondered over the situation, Colonel Knowlton spoke up, "What if we snuck onto the island discreetly and landed a smaller strike force, and then proceeded to engage the British Navy directly?"

"Go on, Colonel," General Kim said as he looked at the intelligence officer with great interest.

"Two years ago, three ships managed to avoid the island's defenses and patrols and sneaked several barrels of gunpowder out of the Bermuda magazine before fleeing. While the British naval presence was negligible during that time, that brief incursion did allow us to acquire information about potential landing points and the rough positions of the defenses on the island," Colonel Knowlton pointed at the map of the Atlantic Ocean and Bermuda that was strewn on the meeting table, "What if we divert the attention of the British Navy and then land troops similar to the previous operation while they are distracted? It is well known that the British Navy has been aggressive towards hostile vessels. So if we send out a diversion force, we can have it avoid a confrontation but lure away any nearby British ships from the island. I suggest that we divert them south as our main landing forces will be coming from the northeast. To make the deception convincing, we will need to devote many of our ships to act as the bait. Once the British take the bait, the remainders of the task force can land on the island relatively unmolested and strike the defenses rapidly. Once the invasion force lands, the remaining ships will head south and strike the British from the north, while the decoy force turns around to face off against the British, catching them from both sides and allowing us to seize Bermuda. If for some reason the battle turns awry, then we'll have some ships near Bermuda to withdraw our forces and return to the mainland."

"Your thoughts, Captain Jones?" General Kim asked.

Captain Jones looked at the map intensely, "Perhaps instead of having the decoy force consisting just of warships, we can make the bait juicer... If we can make it seem like there are prizes on some of the vessels of the decoy task force, then it might ensure that the British take the bait."

"Colonel Knowlton, perhaps you could leak some misleading information to the British," General Kim suggested, "I believe I have a potential contact in mind that may inform the British of our "plans" once it is finalized."

The colonel grinned, "It'll be my pleasure, sir."