EIA:Strategy:Fleet in being

This article is about naval strategy in EiA.

Lets begin by examining the goals of the most likely dominant naval power - Great Britain.

GB does not have superiority over potential enemies at the start of any campaign. Still, successful invasion of England is very difficult.
Tactics aside, it is to GBs advantage to fight naval battles. GB may lose more ships at times, but no other nation has the money and motivation to build a massive fleet. Any war that does not end in a rapid surrender of GB only serves to strengthen the GB.

British fleet will reach it's maximum, exchanging ships with potential enemies increases British advantage.

British naval strategy is often best employed as Kantai Kessen - seeking decisive battle. Even if you lose it, you win - if you are British.

Anti-British forces should, usually, stick to Fleet in being-strategy.
Obviously, this will not lead to defeat of Britain, at least not in near future, but limiting British strategic abilities is quite valuable.If British ships are guarding the channel, they cant do much else and, especially in the early campaigns, key to British strategic freedom lies in Africa. Conquering large portions of Africa gains Britain lots of much needed manpower and significant amounts of $ as well.

But there is no way Britain can conquer Africa if she has to guard her own islands. Just threatening an invasion is very valuable to those who seek to undermine British interests.

Left without meaningful conquests, Britain can not manipulate with manpower nor send many troops on the continent. A strong threat of invasion can often completely shut down British ability to affect the game, except in the immediate vicinity of her home islands.

Irish rebellion, if available, is usually best kept in reserve. Britain will have to defend against it and Irish forces have the severe handicap of not being able to capture Dublin against seasupplied British forces. However, if the rebellion has a decent chance of success, it should be triggered.

Obviously, sometimes fleet in being must sortie. These moments are of great danger, usually to all sides involved, so choose carefully. On the other hand, there are moments of weakness. Peace treaties and other issues can and will limit the ability of the fleet in being to sortie and Britain can use these times to attack.

Fleet in being will eventually fail or at the very least it's success is constantly in question. Fleet in being, when victorious, only maintains the strategic situation while British decisive battle strategy, when successful, will lead to definite and usually permanent British victory on the waves. However, this is adequate: Fleet in being intends to slow British economy and allow more freedom of movement to other naval powers. If Britain takes a long time to break through this stranglehold, the British ability to affect the game on mainland will be significantly reduced.

Example of Fleet in being strategy, phase I campaign

Assuming Spain, France and Sweden commit to some degree, Fleet in being can be attempted. Spain needs to commit completely, Sweden and France much less.

First turn, Spain and France declare war on Britain and setup their fleets so they are combined. There are two possible sea areas and the mediterranean is preferable - Britain may choose to attack, but this will take much of royal navy far from home waters leaving north sea completely at the mercy of Swedish ships. Further, British hulks will have to go to Gibraltar, provoking Spanish siege of the fortress. After the battle, if there is one, French and Spanish ships (called Armada from now on) should sail to Cadiz. Cadiz leaves these ships quite safe from anything but a major British invasion, which will be difficult to mount as long as Gibraltar is under siege. If British attempt such manouver, they can not blockade the fleet at the same time and the Armada can flee to a French port. (Swedish ports are not recommended)

Major point of the Armada is to constantly threaten Britain with invasion, so keeping a corps on Cadiz is minimum commitment. Once British army expands some, this will have to be increased dramatically.

As Cadiz port is such a tough nut to crack, Britain is likely to try and destroy Swedish ships. Careful Swedish play will make this very difficult as well, but Swedish interests in Russia may demand Sweden to take some chances. If Britain chooses to attack Sweden, the Armada may well have to sortie. Best moment is immediately after Britain lands troops in Sweden. This is because, before capturing a port, British troops require two fleet markers for supply and Britain is forced to choose between attacking the Armada or supplying her troops.
Later in the campaign, Britain is likely to gather enough land forces to be able to both attack Sweden and defend London against a Spanish landing. This situation can be amended with French guards, which can, if landed successfully in Ireland, prove decisive in the faith of the rebellion. Defending London, Ireland and attacking Sweden at the same time is impossible with British troops only, but Britain may have allies in her campaign and Swedish may take surprisingly large losses in Russia, making Sweden vulnerable. If the worst happens, unconditional surrender of Sweden, it is best to accept the loss of the Swedish fleet and concentrate on keeping the Armada alive - Sweden is not that important as there is little for Britain to actually gain there. In fact, Swedish campaign may, even if lost, prove beneficial to Fleet in being strategy if Britain takes severe losses.

Once phase II starts, Fleet in being is rendered somewhat powerless. France can not afford new ships while Britain will be building more in massive numbers. This is the time of danger. Hopefully French position on the continent will draw some British forces there, but it is possible Britain will attack the Armada or Africa. If Britain attacks Africa, let her. If Britain can not capture (and hold!) Egypt, the campaign is not very significant. Economic consequences are minor and Britian will end up having to keep two fleets on eastern mediterranean constantly, crippling her manouverability.
Keeping Egypt from British hands is, thus, of prime importance. This is up to Turkey and in best interest of the Turks anyway.

This moment of weakness is, thankfully, somewhat short. Once British fleet is built completely, French free ships are not so far away. There are free ships enough to fill up the French fleet. Spain should have built her 40 ships by then - difficult task, but of high priority. Dutch and Swedish ships can not be relied on. However, if they are available, you should be able to abandon Fleet in being and go for a direct attack. Political consequences of such move may prevent you from trying it, but you will have naval power required.
If you stay with Fleet in being strategy, you can recapture whatever pieces of Africa Britain has conquered.

If you can stay afloat (pun intended) until phase III, you are in the clear. Portugal is an easy conquest and France should be able to keep Denmark from British hands. This will tip the number of fleet markers in your favour.

Fleet in being, even if successful, is too limited to be the main strategy of any country, including Spain, who must commit quite heavily to it. It is a strategy to keep the British from winning, it can assist your own chances of winning but will not provide victory to you. Then again, no purely defensive strategy can do that.