The Flight of King Josephus: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 13:57, 19 August 2021

The Flight of King Josephus refers to the evacuation of His Royal Majesty King Josephus II to the South Sea Islands following the demise of the Kingdom of Nova England. As Head of State of the South Sea Islands, His Majesty was repatriated from Newcastle upon Eastmoor to Joseph Town on August 18th 1699 AN.

A social media image showing Newcastle upon Eastmoor shortly before its capitulation in 1698 AN. Despite being a recent photo, a black and white filter was applied prior to posting, because social media.

Background

Following the fall and resurrection of Nova England, a long and bitter conflict was fought to reestablish the Kingdom within as much of its previous borders as possible. While various setbacks occurred during the campaign, the tide of the war generally seemed to be shifting in favour of the government-backed Nova English Army.

From 1693 AN onward however, a series of shock military defeats at the hands of mercenary and rebel Sea-Reavers shook the confidence of the government forces. Over the five years that followed the Nova English Army was pushed back progressively closer to Newcastle upon Eastmoor, before the city itself fell during the autumn of 1698 AN.

The Government of the South Sea Islands monitored these events closely, out of concern for allied Nova England and for the well being of the King in particular. As Head of State of the South Sea Islands, the welfare of His Majesty was considered to be a matter of national importance.

Following the fall of Newcastle upon Eastmoor, wit the fate of the King unconfirmed and unclear, the South Sea Islands Defence Force deployment from the Warring Islands Conflict was redeployed with the goal of finding and rescuing the King.

Discovery

After the all of Newcastle upon Eastmoor, the intelligence division of the South Sea Islands Defence Force monitored the radio traffic of the Sea-Reavers for any clues regarding the likely location of His Royal Majesty King Josephus.

Reports of repeated guerrilla attacks on Sea-Reavers forces on the uplands of Eastmoor convinced the Government of the South Sea Islands that this was the most likely location of the King. Undercover operatives disguised as displaces persons were dispatched in late 1698 AN, with little success until one of them was captured on suspicion of espionage shortly before Christmas of that year. The arresting forces identified themselves as a Royalist resistance movement, and the operative was later able to confirm the location of the King to the government in Joseph Town.

Arrangements for evacuation

His Royal Majesty was initially extremely reluctant to leave the fight, and intended to continue to personally lead the resistance against the Sea-Reavers. After intensive discussions with the Government of the South Sea Islands the King came to the conclusion that his capture would be a mortal blow to the Nova English resistance, a prospect that was made more and more likely as the frequent guerrilla attacks on the Sea-Reavers drew attention to the uplands.

It was therefore agreed that His Royal Majesty, his Confessor and cabinet would be evacuated, to carry on the struggle from exile.

The escape

Under the cover of darkness late in the evening of August 17th 1699 AN, a 1 NH-76 Dromosker helicopter of the South Sea Islands Defence Force (SSIDF) flew low and fast from the Warring Islands to a predetermined landing site on Eastmoor, with infantrymen disembarking to secure the landing areas.

His Royal Majesty and the rest of his delegation were quickly brought aboard and extracted to the nearby Logistic Support Vessel, Royal Survey Ship Madison. The Madison, which was already loaded with the remaining SSIDF deployment from the Warring Islands Conflict, then set sail for Joseph Town.

Aftermath

His Royal Majesty King Josephus was greeted upon arrival in the South Sea Islands by Lieutenant Governor George Middlemore, and quickly escorted to a private residence to the south of Joseph Town. With his cabinet and personal guards located nearby, His Majesty thereafter established a government in exile, with the goal of continuing the fight against the Sea-Reavers.