He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 104

(104) Eugene’s Grenades Announce Lonato’s Battle

The Imperial Army is composed of generals with extensive military experience.

They are by no means upstarts.

Even in the extremely dangerous battlefield of Lombardy, they never send rookies.

Being able to handle any situation without panicking is what makes them experts.

The man who has now occupied the Brescia Fortress is one such individual.

“Unbelievable. To just leave this fortress unattended, are the French army all fools?”

Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich.

57 years old, Field Marshal of the Austrian New Tyrol Corps, soon to be Lieutenant General.

He is in charge of the vanguard, replacing Wurmser, who is inevitably slow due to his age.

20,000 vanguard troops composed of 20 regiments.

Quosdanovich clicked his tongue, looking at the soldiers filling the Brescia Citadel, a key point south of the Alps.

“Could it be that they were mindful of the Republic of Venice? Tsk.”

In fact, it is a matter that concerns Quosdanovich himself.

In any case, Brescia is clearly Venetian territory.

However, the Austrian army, supposedly an ally, has preemptively occupied it without the French even conquering it.

He is concerned that this might become a diplomatic issue later.

Nevertheless, there is a reason why Quosdanovich resolutely occupied this place.

「Preemptively occupy Brescia. The enemy commander will be [defeated/dealt with] in Mantua.」

This is the order from Field Marshal Wurmser, the commander-in-chief of the 50,000 troops dispatched to Lombardy this time.

Wurmser’s military plan is meticulous.

Occupy Brescia in August, arrive in Mantua in September, and then conduct a defensive battle in Mantua until October.

Afterward, Alvinczy’s follow-up army will rush towards Verona, passing east of Lake Garda.

If this plan proceeds as scheduled, a complete encirclement and annihilation will be possible.

The operation is based on the marching speed of the Austrian army.

However, the occupation of Brescia was too fast.

In any case, it was virtually completed at the end of July.

At that time, Klenaeu, an adjutant sent by Corps Commander Wurmser, delivered a message.

“First of all, congratulations on the occupation, Major General Quosdanovich. Field Marshal Wurmser has ordered you to advance to Mantua.”

“The grand strategy is to meet and fight the enemy in Mantua, Colonel Klenaeu?”

“That’s right. The Field Marshal himself intends to lure the enemy into Mantua.”

Quosdanovich stroked his unshaven beard and asked.

“What are the spies in Milan saying?”

Quosdanovich usually values neatness.

On the other hand, this disheveled appearance means that he was dedicated to the march.

Anyway, he didn’t bring at least the commander’s chef and barber.

However, the fact that Brescia eventually fell into the hands of the Austrian army was also a mistake by the French.

If Napoleon had sent troops to Brescia quickly, Quosdanovich would be saying the opposite.

That the Austrian army was foolish to leave such a fortress unattended.

So why couldn’t Napoleon send troops quickly?

Colonel Klenaeu said instead.

“Bonaparte is said to be so caught up in victory parties in Milan that he is out of his mind. He only heard the news now and is hastily marching out.”

This statement is half true.

Because since Josephine arrived, Napoleon had been enjoying entertainment with Josephine for nearly three months.

Although aides, including Eugene, strictly controlled the army, the decision to suppress Lombardy was delayed.

There was also the issue of the conflict between Letizia [Napoleon’s mother] and Josephine [Napoleon’s wife].

Napoleon was distracted by this problem, which gave him a headache.

As a result, Brescia was easily occupied by Quosdanovich.

The fact that Colonel Klenaeu found out about these internal affairs to some extent is proof that he is competent.

On the other hand, the fact that he did not find out completely means that the Austrian army is not strict.

Klenaeu, an intelligence officer of the Austrian army, famous for its soft military discipline, recited the spies’ reports.

“There are said to be 10,000 troops remaining in Milan. About 9 regiments.”

“So, the enemy has about 40,000?”

“Roughly so. But 10,000 of them are heading directly to Mantua again.”

Dispersion of troops.

Wurmser had been emphasizing this since Vienna.

However, Quosdanovich had been on the battlefield for 30 years since the Seven Years’ War [a major European conflict from 1756-1763].

Upon hearing the story of the dispersion of Napoleon’s corps, he twisted his lips and sneered.

“A clumsy trick. They have neither the ability nor the intention to attack Mantua right now. They are trying to lure us.”

Mantua is a natural fortress.

No matter how much Napoleon has defeated Beaulieu, it cannot be easily occupied.

Anyway, it is surrounded by lakes, making it difficult to even approach.

But at this point when the Austrian corps of 50,000 is marching, they are going to Mantua?

Napoleon has not even attempted to attack Mantua and has left it completely unattended.

Absolutely, the purpose is not to attack Mantua.

A lure.

Like Wurmser, Napoleon must have cast a fishing line.

Klenaeu tilted his head.

“Then, wouldn’t we be unable to use the Field Marshal’s tactics? Originally, the Field Marshal’s plan was to encircle and annihilate the enemy in Mantua.”

“Not at all! We must reuse their thoughts. We will go to Mantua first.”

“Yes? But, aren’t the French troops also going to Mantua now?”

There is a risk of collision.

This is a natural concern for the Austrian military, which has already had two Lombardy corps annihilated.

However, Quosdanovich chuckled and rebuked Klenaeu.

“Not at all. They are coming from Milan. And we are already in Brescia. Think about it. Who is closer? This is very simple arithmetic, my friend!”

From Brescia to Mantua, it is 100 kilometers [approximately 62 miles] in metric units.

From Milan to Mantua, it is 200 kilometers [approximately 124 miles].

It is no different even if using the measures of the Holy Roman Empire [a complex political entity in Central Europe from 962 to 1806], which does not use the metric system.

The distance the French army has to move is twice as long.

Klenaeu smiled bitterly.

“I didn’t think of that. Rather, if we leave now, it is certain that we will arrive first.”

“That’s right. Klenaeu, go back and tell the Field Marshal.”

“I understand. I think he will think it’s a good plan.”

Klenaeu has been serving Wurmser as an adjutant for quite some time.

He was convinced that Wurmser would judge the same way.

Watching Klenaeu leave in a hurry, Quosdanovich smiled with satisfaction.

His subordinate commanders smiled at each other.

Major General Heinrich von Reuss Plauen.

Major General Peter Karl von Bathorkez.

Major General Johann von Rudolf Sporck.

Above all, there was Marquis Franz Xavier von Lusignan, a high-ranking nobleman from Spain with experience in the French army.

The Marquis of Lusignan looked back at the two soldiers standing next to him and said.

“What do you think, survivors? Of our vanguard commander’s judgment?”

Roselmini and Radetzky.

Generals and officers who survived the brutal battlefield of Lodi.

Radetzky answered first.

“First of all, speed is important. The enemy is definitely fast.”

“So we’re going first. Good, that’s enough.”

“No, a little more alertness.”

Radetzky tried to add, but the Marquis of Lusignan ignored him and looked at Quosdanovich.

“It seems perfectly possible, Vanguard Commander!”

Quosdanovich also smiled and nodded.

“We are going to Mantua first, Marquis. So, we will encircle and annihilate them with the Field Marshal’s army on both flanks!”

Encirclement and annihilation.

Catching the 25-year-old brat who has been mocking the Austrian army so far.

This was the reason why Quosdanovich decided to move first.

However, Quosdanovich failed to consider one thing.

That is, the marching speed of the French army.

***

5 days, the time it took for Quosdanovich’s army to depart.

Of course, Quosdanovich never thought it was slow.

Rather, he was concerned that the supplies were not sufficient because he was in too much of a hurry.

It is natural that it takes that much time for a large army of 20,000 to depart by regiment.

According to the common sense of the Imperial Army at the end of the 18th century, Quosdanovich was really acting quickly.

Quosdanovich, who was leading at the front, shouted triumphantly.

“Now, advance. Soldiers of the Empire. Let’s avenge Field Marshal Beaulieu!”

Quosdanovich was originally a nobleman from Croatia.

However, he served in the military throughout the Empire, and the unit he commanded was Hungarian Hussars [a type of light cavalry].

Therefore, the language Quosdanovich is familiar with is Hungarian, the birthplace of Imperial forces.

On the other hand, the unit he is currently commanding is an emergency support force organized in Tyrol [a region in the Alps].

Naturally, they did not understand Hungarian well.

The commander’s adjutant, Major Josef Ochskey, noticed this and reported.

“General, it seems that the soldiers are from Upper Germany, so they don’t understand Hungarian at all?”

“Hmm, will you translate? No. In this case, the military band is the best!”

“I understand. Military band, play a march!”

At the general’s command, the military band at the head of the march began to play an exciting performance.

-Bbam! Bbam bbam! Bbam bbam bbam!

Music is a universal language.

The Upper Germans, who did not understand Hungarian, understood the exciting march.

The soldiers are humming along.

Quosdanovich smiled contentedly at the sight.

“Yes. Our Imperial military band is the best after all. Huh?”

At that time.

Dust is rising in the distance ahead.

Quosdanovich blinked in disbelief.

“What on earth is that in front? Smoke?”

Lieutenant General Quosdanovich has a long war experience.

Of course, he knows that when an army marches or rushes, such dust rises.

However, this is a place where there is no chance of encountering the enemy.

Because it is a place passing just south of Lake Garda from Brescia.

The enemy can’t possibly come near here.

But reality could not be ignored.

Suddenly, Adjutant Ochskey said, trembling, Klenaeu said, trembling.

“General, it seems to be an army.”

“Who asked because they didn’t know? I’m asking if it’s an ally or an enemy!”

“Well, it’s difficult for allies to be in this direction. But even if it’s definitely an enemy, they should have just come halfway from Milan, that is.”

However, there is another adjutant here who has fought the French army once before.

It is the survivor Radetzky.

Major Radetzky stared at the dust and said, gritting his teeth.

“I can’t believe it, but I think I have to admit it. Major General Quosdanovich.”

Eventually, Quosdanovich, who forcibly accepted the situation, shouted.

“No way! How on earth can Bonaparte be here at this time!”

At that time.

-Doo doo doo!

The Austrian army, which had not even prepared for a response, did not even have time to prepare for firing.

But the enemy does not wait.

The cavalry rushed in all at once.

The commander at the head, a boy-like figure, shouted.

“Grenadier Cavalry Brigade! Everyone, prepare to throw!”

Finally, Eugene, the commander of the Italian Corps Grenadier Cavalry Brigade, has arrived.

***

The name of this area is Lonato.

There is only a very small village.

In the original history, the French and Austrian armies happened to meet here.

Because they did not know where each other would appear, the movement itself became more complicated.

Even Napoleon did not predict the direction of the Austrian army’s attack, so he followed them everywhere and met them here.

But Eugene deliberately ran here.

Because he knows that the enemies will eventually go to Mantua.

So, why couldn’t the Austrian army predict the appearance of Napoleon’s corps?

There is a simple reason.

They did not predict the marching speed.

The marching speed of infantry, not cavalry, is bound to be limited.

The more supplies they load, the slower they become.

The marching speed of the Austrian corps is about 16 kilometers [approximately 10 miles] a day.

On the other hand, Napoleon’s corps marched a whopping 32 kilometers [approximately 20 miles] a day.

Since the speed is twice as fast, the prediction was completely overturned.

Above all, the Grenadier Cavalry Brigade, which ran at the head, was even faster.

Eugene shouted loudly at the head.

“Now, Grenadier Cavalry Brigade! Listen, the [Eugene Grenade]!”

Instantly, the Grenadier Cavalry, who were all running, picked up a strange grenade.

-Click.

Eugene lowered the baton he had raised above his head.

“Grenade, throw!”

At the same time, winged grenades flew into the air all at once.

-Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

It is a technique developed from the grenade throwing method that Juno first introduced.

Throw winged grenades from a distance like flying paper airplanes.

Of course, even so, it is difficult to avoid being shot if the enemy is prepared.

But the Austrian army was ambushed in a completely panicked situation.

Marquis Lusignan, who was in charge of the vanguard again in the Austrian corps side, widened his eyes.

“That’s, isn’t that a grenade?”

But it was already too late when he realized.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

The grenades exploded, and the ranks became a mess.

At the same time, the Grenadier Cavalry Brigade began to rush in all at once.

Again, Eugene, who was at the head, looked back at Ipolite.

“Tell Brigadier General Lan! We will break through first!”

The next moment, Eugene, Murat, and Juno struck Quosdanovich’s corps.

It was the moment when Eugene’s Grenadier Cavalry Brigade began to break through.