Joseph MacCarrin

Joseph MacCarrin was a general of mixed Aenglish-Fhainnin descent who served in the Fhainnin Royal Army during the late 18th Century. During his service, he lead operations by the Royal Army during the West Vandarch War and took command from the deceased Glen Morys during the Second Kin War with Fiannria. His systematization of operational reviews, scouting and intelligence gathering, supply depots, platoon drills, and strict discipline formed the basis of a number of military reforms that helped shape later and modern Fhainnin military culture and professionalism.

Military Reforms

Intelligence, Counterintelligence, and Command and Control

MacCarrin placed a significant emphasis on scouting and intelligence gathering, as well as the denial of the same to opposing forces. To this end, he relied heavily on light, rapid hussars to act as skirmishers and scouts. Where MacCarrin differed from conventional Levantine doctrine was in the frequent employment of early fireworks and flares to both give orders and misdirect the enemy, using cycling color codes known only to his staff officers and direct subordinates.(revisit?) Additionally, he used both locals and officers as spies in his campaigns, blending into local populations and opposing armies to filter incorrect information to the enemy in excess to mask army movements. This included high-risk maneuvers such as his own hussars running down enemy couriers, donning their clothing, and delivering false commands or information directly to enemy commanding officers, which resulted in even higher casualties among the cavalry but frequently resulted in confusing separated enemy forces. This made forces under his command exceptional at defeat in detail prior to the tactic being recognized as such, though it also earned him the nickname 'General Itheadaeich' (Horse-eater).