Qing Campaign

The Qing Campaign was a 9 year long offensive by the British Empire into the Qing Dynasty. It began after the widescale arrest of British Merchants transporting illegal opium into China.

 United Kingdom
 British Raj
 Kingdom of Nepal
 Kingdom of Bhutan

 Qing Dynasty

### Prelude

The British Empire would be exporting thousands of tonnes of opium to China via India. This practice had been taking place for many decades by the time the war broke out, but China very suddenly turned and began arresting British merchants

### Arrests

British Merchants were reported having been detained in Xinjiang, Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Product (Opium) was also seized across these various regions. An estimated ~800 tonnes was seized and nearly a quarter of that product vanished while in stores and facilities around China. Britain responded swiftly, sending an ultimatum to the Qing

### Ultimatum

The British demand was simple. Release the prisoners and allow for the continued export of goods into China. After 2 long nights of discussing their stance, China rejected the offer. Britain would then declare war and begin mobilising

### Mobilisation

Britain would, immediately following the rejection of the ultimatum, mobilise 30,000 6th Army infantrymen, and 2,000 cavalry. However, in Singapore a much deadlier force would be assembled. The Singapore fleet and 5,000 marines would set off from the colony at 0500 hours, and arrive at Taiwan at 1500 hours.

### Taiwan

##### Invasion (NORTH)

The Singapore Fleet would begin bombarding Keelung City, annihilating the token fleet stationed. This was followed by the deployment of 1,000 marines into the harbour. Shortly after, the major port city would have been taken. Taiwanese forces would attack from Taipei but this attack was repelled by the experienced marines. Just 2 hours after the counter-attack began, another invasion would begin in the South

##### Invasion (SOUTH)

2,000 marines would land in Kaohsiung City, supported by a small fleet of frigates and gunboats. They would seize the city after an hour of brutal urban combat. Kaohsiung City seems to have been targeted due to the British prisoners inside it's walls.

##### Invasion (CONTINUED)

5,000 soldiers would continue South, taking cities and towns and freeing British Merchants as they did so. 2,000 marines would also march North to support the invasion. Soon, the island and the insignificant resistance on it were crushed.

### Hong Kong

##### Macau

Britain would assemble 4,000 soldiers in their ally's (Portugal) territory. This would be after a long negotiation period with the Portugese. Britain was forced to pay Portugal for the use of the city.

##### Hong Kong

Britain landed 4,000 soldiers across the Zhujiang River Estuary into Hong Kong. Reports of the battle vary as it took place in the dark and many witnesses reports differ. However, all reports agree that the British caught the Qing off-guard and they quickly pushed the defenders back into a small building, which was then destroyed by a British naval gun.

### Tibet

##### Ngari Prefecture

Britain would dispatch 3,000 infantrymen and 400 cavalry to take the Ngari Prefecture, however this would turn out to be the biggest battle of the war. British forces would encounter the Chinese at an (unnamed) village just off the main road leading to Nepal. A fierce firefight would ensue, with British forces facing heavy casualties and retreating. **(Battle Continued Later)**

##### Loenpo Gang

Experienced Nepalese Mountaineers would clash with Chinese forces nearly 5,000 ft up, on the side of the Loenpo Gang mountain. 2,000 Nepalese and 5,000 Chinese soldiers would begin the second deadliest battle of the war, with no survivors. As the battle continued, the forces began inching slowly further up the mountain. The air was thick with gunpowder and smoke. Witnesses on the ground report *'None of them saw the storm'*. A furious storm approached the mountain, knocking hundreds off-balance and sending them flying down the mountain. The entire mountain would be swallowed by the storm. Reports after the battle suggest that there were no survivors, and many died from falling or the cold.

##### Simikot

The short-lived Chinese offensive into Nepalese Simikot would prove to be devastating for the Chinese forces in Tibet. 9,000 Chinese soldiers would begin a siege on the town, a successful one at that. Over 1,000 British and Nepalese soldiers would be captured and executed. Following news of the attack, the British Ministry of Defence ordered *'That insignificant force shall be crushed, as an example to the Qing.' (Secretary of Defence, Sir Thomas Blake).* Shortly thereafter, a large force (10,000 - 15,000 infantry) would be dispatched to crush the defence. Instead, the Generals in command of the British forces make a decision to cut off the Chinese supply lines and starve the defenders. The Simikot siege would last 3 years, and ended with a Qing surrender.

### Xinjiang

##### Initial Invasion

British forces would invade North from Tibet, numbering 10,000 soldiers. They would quickly overrun defences, quickly taking large swaths of land. Minor resistance would be met along the march North, with a few thousand Chinese infantrymen meeting the British advance. However, the defenders would be easily crushed by the British Cavalry. Within 5 days the entire region had capitulated.

##### Defence

News had reached Peking of the invasion, and they too had dispatched a large force to crush the British. 30,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalry set off from Qinghai at 0600 hours, reaching Xinjiang at 2300 hours. The British would deploy scouts to hinder the advance, but they would be crushed easily. 500 British infantrymen met 2,200 Chinese infantry at Mangya. (SEE 8.3) This attack would halt the advance and allowed the British time to prepare.

##### Mangya Defence

###### 1st Defence

500 British soldiers would set up positions in the town of Mangya, ready to defend the town. Lieutenant Alex MacAlex stated *'We were ready to die for Her Majesty.'* when asked about it after the event. On the horizon, the Chinese infantry would enter sight. Britain makes use of prototype snipers to take out officers and infantry. The Chinese charge across the open field, taking heavy fire from the British soldiers. Many Chinese soldiers would be cut down or taken out as they charged, but the tide would turn as they reached the town. 52 British infantrymen would be killed by the Chinese, before the Qing retreat. Just out of the British range, the Qing would prepare another charge. The wounded British soldiers would be taken away on whatever horses were available.

###### 2nd Defence

*'583 Chinese soldiers lay dead on the grassy plain, staining the greenery red.' (Lieutenant Alex MacAlex)*

The Chinese would charge, encountering British grenades and bullets. Shrapnel would kill many. Citizens of the town report that *'It was like a storm of blood and guts' (Translated).* The British also faced heavy casualties, with 282 dying as the Qing once again reached their defences. The Chinese would use the bodies of their comrades as stairs to reach the elevated British position. The Chinese were eventually forced to retreat as reports reached them of a British Cavalry column nearby.

###### Aftermath

The Battle was one of the most costly, so much so that the British couldn't count the bodies. It is estimated that 300 British died, and 1,500 Chinese soldiers died. However, this incredible loss of life would pave the way for the successful end to the Qing Campaign. Many soldiers reported symptoms of what we now know as PTSD after the battle

##### Anglo-Islamic Relations

The offensive into Xinjiang was helped greatly by Britain's support of the Islamic community. Her alliance with the Umayyads was not lost on the Xinjiang people, and many sided with the attackers. This, and the defence at Mangya would lead to the British annexation of Xinjiang.

### Ngari Prefecture

##### Reinforcements

**(See 7.1 for initial invasion)**

The British would send 10,000 soldiers to Ngari, and the Qing 20,000. The British reinforcements, under Major Argyle MacArgyle would have to march through the mountains. Heavy casualties would result in only 9,132 soldiers exiting the mountain. The Qing, however did not face such conditions. Only one soldier died on the Qing advance.

##### Trenches

The British dug in, much like how they did in the Maginot Line. Cavalry and Artillery would be brought in from Xinjiang. As both sides dug in, the Artillery began pounding the opposition's trenches. The ground turned from lush green to a brown sludge. Occasional charges resulted in hundreds of deaths. Still, both sides brought in reinforcements. The battle lasted the rest of the war (8 years).

##### Aftermath

The Battle at Ngari was one of the main reasons for the treaty being rushed through both governments, as neither side wanted to continue the bloody battle. It is to date the bloodiest single battle in world history.

### Phoney War

##### Events

Apart from the Ngari campaign, the 8 years after the initial invasions saw little fighting.

* Battle at Shanghai
* Battle of Taipei
* Hong Kong Naval Skirmish
* Xinjiang Border Skirmishes
* New Delhi Bombings

These events, and smaller events, were all part of what we now know as the Phoney War.

 Qing Dynasty

Casualties during the Phoney War (EXCLUDING NGING)

### Aftermath

##### Treaty

Terms of the the Treaty of London, 1849

* Britain takes Tibet as a vassal.
* Britain takes Taiwan.
* Britain takes Hong Kong.
* Britain takes Hainan.
* Britain takes Xinjiang as a vassal.
* Britain and Qing have a truce for 10 years.
* Britain pays reparations for damages during the war.
* Britain defends Qing for 10 years.\*

\*DISPUTED

##### Korea Dispute

British authorities wished to take the Korean peninsula due to it's strategic value and location near Japan, however this idea was quickly shot down by the Queen, Prime Minister and Qing Diplomats

##### Prelude

Russia began mobilising for an invasion of Outer Manchuria, so they may gain access to ports where they may properly deploy their fleet. Britain, however, had a term in their treaty that they would defend Qing. This lead to a tense period wherein both sides mobilised for war. (MATO and Russia).

##### British Interests

Britain wanted to prevent Russia from having access to usable ports, as they wished to keep naval supremacy.

##### Russian Interests

Russia wanted to gain ports to deploy their navy.

##### Umayyad Interests

The Umayyads wanted to gain lands on the Russo-Umayyad border. However, they also mobilised in accordance with MATO Article 5.

##### Mobilisation

Britain and the Umayyads mobilise in Raj, and Central Asia. Britain threatens war if Russia invades China. Russia mobilises on the Qing border and in Central Asia. Britain also deploys naval forces to Helgioland to shadow Russian fleets exiting the Baltic Sea.

##### Negotiations

British and Russian authorities met in London shortly after mobilisation, to discuss how to avoid the imminent war. However, negotiations break down as Britain refuses to grant the lands to Russia. Negotiations won't open up again for several months.

##### Second Negotiations

As Britain's leadership changes, so does it's stance on the situation. Britain immediately offers Outer Manchuria to the Russians in exchange for Russian Guyana. Britain accepts and demobilises. Umayyads follow suit shortly after, and the world avoid what was, at the time, thought to be an inevitable world war.

##### Soaring Eagle

In the wake of the tensions, Britain moves naval forces to Helgioland. See Operation Soaring Eagle for details.

### Local Effects

##### Stability

###### Tibet

Tibet was always under Britain's influence, so the occupation didn't change much for the locals. The British gave money and food to the locals and supported the local religions and cultures. They also pegged the local currency onto the pound. Overall, stability improved after the initial invasion.

###### Xinjiang

Stability in Xinjaing improved after the invasion but not to the same degree. While the economic and political stability brought a (welcome) change, life under the British Empire was new for many citizens and many found it hard to adapt. While it was still better than living under the Qing, according to many reports, it was not perfect.

### International Effects

##### Qing

After the invasion, the Qing were in a difficult position. They were weak and open to attack, as shown in the 1851 Invasion of China by Russia. They never really recovered from this huge loss, and were relegated to minor power on the world stage.

##### Britain

This was a huge victory for the British, despite the losses in Nging and other regions. It paved the way for Britain's return to the most powerful nation. It also showed the world what the British were capable of, and also triggered the expansion of the Royal Navy and army.

### Local Soldiers

##### Before Qing War

###### Use of Nepalese Soldiers

Before the Qing Campaign, only a few Nepalese battalions would serve alongside the British Army.

###### Use of Bhutanese Soldiers

Much like the Nepalese soldiers, only a few companies of Bhutanese infantry would be in service in the British Army.

##### During Qing War

###### Use of Nepalese Soldiers

Nepal deployed 20,000 soldiers for the Qing campaign. These soldiers were highly skilled, and amazing at mountain warfare. The Qing Campaign is often thought to be the reason for the deployment of Nepalese soldiers across mountainous areas after the war.

###### Use of Bhutanese Soldiers

Bhutan deployed 5,000 soldiers to aid in the Tibetan campaign. These soldiers were also highly skilled, and versed in mountain combat.

##### After Qing War

###### Use of Nepalese Soldiers

After the war, the British made use of many more Nepalese battalions in mountain combat, namely in the War on Terror.

###### Use of Bhutanese Soldiers

Bhutanese battalions increased in size by about 3\* after the war, and saw deployment in Scotland, Afghanistan and Central Asia.

### Foreign Policy Changes

##### British Foreign Policy

British Foreign Policy was changed drastically after the war. Britain could free up units from India, and now focused on making allies elsewhere. British historians believe this to be the first time Britain ever considered MATO, or a similar organisation. Britain also shifted it's focus from expanding the empire to expand her relations with other countries. It was at this time that Britain recognised the threat of the German-Spanish rivalry.

##### Russian Foreign Policy

Russia, after the war, recognised it could now take Outer Manchuria as they wished. They would eventually carry out this objective, after the Qing Crisis. They would see the weakness of China, like the rest of the world did.