V.O.C. Infantry (ETW Unit)

V.O.C. Infantry (ETW Unit)
Class	Line Infantry
Unit Size	160
Weaponry	Muskets
Morale
Melee Attack
Ranged Attack
Defence
Charge Bonus
Accuracy
Range
Ammunition
Region	India
Recruitment Cost	920
Upkeep Cost	230
Turns to Build
Unit Limit
Building Requirements	Barracks Military Governor's Barracks
Technology Requirements	N/A
Attributes	Can Guard Can hide in woodland Can hide in woodland Resistant to heat fatigue Chevaux de frise Earthworks Fire and advance drill Rank firing drill Can adopt square formation

Raised in India, these European mercenaries do not fight “for king and country” but for the great East Indies trading companies.

Description

Company infantry are professional soldiers drawn exclusively from Europeans, both officers and other ranks. They are members of private armies for the traders, but one that is available to further national needs when required. They fight using European doctrine and equipment as line infantrymen, carrying smoothbore, muzzle-loading muskets. These soldiers are also enforcers, tax gatherers and a potent threat against the local princes in India, even away the battlefield. Native regiments under European officers exist too, but their reliability is doubtful.

Historically, the great European trading companies were often closer to being nations in their own right than business ventures. India was so wealthy that the companies needed armies, not just guards, to protect and expand their interests and prestige. The British East India Company (the “John Company”), the Dutch “Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie” (VOC) and the French “La Compagnie française des Indes orientales” all had their own armed forces; 1 in 5 VOC employees were soldiers!

Details

The V.O.C. Infantry are best used as a usual line infantry force, who should be able to deal with the normal threats fairly easily. They should avoid artillery as much as possible.

Factions

• United Provinces