He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 112

(112) The Myth of Concentrated Bombardment Begins

War is always governed by unpredictable and rapid changes.

“Commander, it seems to be Laharpe!”

Bertier, peering ahead with a telescope braced against his soldier’s shoulder, shouted.

Before high-magnification lenses were developed, telescopes had limited visibility.

Especially when viewing the front from lowlands rather than highlands, the limit was about 8 kilometers (5 miles).

Still, using the most powerful telescope available allowed for a rough understanding of the situation ahead.

Napoleon listened to Bertier’s report, tilting his head on horseback.

“He’s certainly composed.”

“Pardon? Are you referring to me?”

“No, Bertier, you are unusually calm. I’m talking about Wurmser.”

Napoleon was looking at Wurmser’s main force in the center, not the right flank.

“It’s a completely unexpected attack, yet he’s responding very calmly. I haven’t seen such command from other Austrian generals.”

The area near Castiglione is mountainous in the northeast and plains in the southwest.

Originally, after discovering Wurmser’s corps that had departed from Brescia, Napoleon realized that Lonato was at a disadvantage.

There was a risk of facing Wurmser’s army while isolated in the nearby highlands.

This was especially true because the three divisions and cavalry that had set out for the deception operation had to return.

So, the place he sought out by heading south to the plains was Castiglione.

A small town that wouldn’t even be worthy of historical record if the war hadn’t taken place.

When the two armies met again on the outskirts of the town, Laharpe suddenly returned.

The most unexpected unit returned the fastest and fought the bravest.

It was quite impressive, even to Napoleon.

The problem was that a bayonet charge had broken out, making it quite difficult to fire.

“If it continues like this, there won’t be any room for us to intervene.”

“That’s right.”

“Prepare the bombardment. Marmont.”

Marmont, the adjutant and artillery commander, looked at Napoleon in surprise.

“General, the Laharpe division is currently engaged in combat.”

Napoleon shrugged.

“I never said to hit where our troops are.”

“Sir?”

“Marmont, can’t you calculate? Find an angle where the enemy artillery can’t fire, and a point where an attack on the enemy is possible.”

Suddenly, Napoleon raised his hand, pointing forward as if firing vertically, and closed one eye.

“Northwest of the left flank, in front of the enemy line infantry. About 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) ahead.”

A method of estimating distance by measuring the length of the arm, the size of the fingernail, and the angle.

A method called radian measure [a unit of angular measurement].

It’s a calculation method that artillery units learn as basic knowledge.

The 4-pound cannons used by the horse artillery have a limit of 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles).

About 1 kilometer is well within the effective range.

However, there is still a problem.

Marmont trembled and reported again.

“Then the artillery will be exposed in front of the enemy infantry’s right flank.”

“We won’t move.”

“Sir? No, of course, I’m prepared to fight to the death, but…”

Napoleon shook his head calmly.

“No. Even in this situation, Wurmser isn’t charging. Instead of disrupting the formation by responding to the bombardment with fire, he’ll respond with artillery in the same way. But you see…”

Suddenly, Napoleon twisted his lips and stared at Marmont.

“Our artillery is faster than the enemy artillery, isn’t it?”

The enemy artillery has high-quality uniforms, cannons, and shells.

Each cannon even has the emblem of its respective unit engraved on it.

On the other hand, the Revolutionary French army has cannons that are painted black and focus only on functionality, lacking any style.

However, the performance alone is excellent, made with the so-called Gribeauval system [a French artillery system introduced in the 18th century].

Furthermore, it is a horse artillery unit, so its mobility is much higher.

Nevertheless, this is a gamble.

A gamble based on the conviction that the enemy will not respond with infantry.

Just as Marmont was hesitating, Bertier spoke up.

“It’s unconventional.”

“Do you dislike it, Bertier?”

“No. Rather, it seems like it will work because of that. For those who only know the standard.”

Napoleon nodded and ordered.

“Marmont, Duroc! Run! Go and fire at a single point! Just don’t forget one thing.”

Instantly, Napoleon’s baton pointed towards the distant highlands.

-Swish!

It’s a place that can’t be seen properly even with a telescope.

It’s obscured by fog, blocking the view.

However, he clearly saw the scene of the artillery firing from that direction earlier.

“Retreat immediately when the enemy artillery moves.”

Marmont swallowed hard and turned around.

“Yes! Let’s go, Duroc! Horse artillery, advance!”

The horse artillery, which had become more obedient to orders due to repeated victories, began to move.

-Rumble!

Of course, the life at stake here is not Napoleon’s.

Also, Napoleon intended to consider it Marmont’s command mistake if it failed.

However, what dominates Napoleon’s mind now is not the artillery’s bombardment.

Watching the advancing horse artillery, Napoleon asked Bertier.

“Bertier. How far have Augereau, Massena, Eugene, and Lannes come?”

It’s about the speed of the retreat of the divisions that feigned the attack.

Of course, there are no radios, but Bertier was also aware through a web-like network of messengers.

In particular, the news from the postmen sent by Eugene was effective.

Bertier opened the report in his hand and said.

“They are all retreating. Augereau is coming from the Cremona direction, Massena from the Borgetto bridge, and Eugene and Lannes from Verona.”

“The last news arrived yesterday, right? Send the messengers again. If even one point in time is off, we’ll end up getting hit.”

“Why do you think so? The battle is possible even if all the forces don’t return.”

Napoleon frowned and shook his head.

“No. It seems that the old man is aiming for something. Maybe if we don’t finish it today, enemy reinforcements might come.”

He took into account the possibility of luring, trapping, and then setting up a reverse trap.

That’s what Wurmser is really aiming for.

***

No matter how meticulously a plan is made, everything is turned upside down when a real battle breaks out.

-Bang!

The bombardment shook the ranks.

Just before, Wurmser’s army was briefly shaken by the unexpected bayonet charge but regained stability.

This was because the Grenz light infantry [Austrian light infantry units] had gone out to fight.

Rather than fighting in formation, scattering and engaging in individual combat is the forte of the Hungarian light infantry.

Under the command of General Bajalich, they were calmly blocking Laharpe’s division.

But as soon as they regained stability, the bombardment suddenly began on the right flank.

Colonel Klenau, the adjutant, ran and returned to report.

“The French are bombarding us!”

Wurmser, who was observing the situation with a telescope, frowned.

“When did they move the artillery? What, are they that close?”

“They must be crazy! Let’s just wipe them out right now!”

“No!”

Wurmser shook his head vigorously at the words of the deputy commander, Davidovich.

“Have you forgotten! What they’re aiming for is for us to move and engage in battle. Rather, if we endure here, we have a chance of winning.”

Instantly, Davidovich’s eyes widened.

“Could it be that Alvinczy has agreed to come here, Marshal?”

“That’s right. He’s running along the eastern shore of Lake Garda now.”

“But the distance is quite far!”

Alvinczy, the victorious general of northern Rhine.

If Wurmser is the shield of the Empire, Alvinczy is praised as the sword of the Empire.

Everyone thought it would be a long time before he arrived.

But the old fox, Old Marshal Wurmser, had been waiting, hiding it even from his allies.

The moment Alvinczy would cross the Alps and come to northern Italy.

“General Davidovich, we only need to hold out here for three days. Moreover, we won’t just be holding out here. When the enemy’s gunpowder runs out, we’ll move.”

Wurmser explained with a glint in his eyes.

At first glance, Napoleon would think he had lured Wurmser.

But Wurmser had come out with confidence.

He just hadn’t anticipated Laharpe’s attack and the situation currently unfolding on the battlefield.

Conversely, the infantry on the right flank cannot move.

“Block them with artillery! General Mittrowsky, move!”

Artillery commander, Major General Mittrowsky, began to move the artillery in the rear highlands according to the order.

The number of batteries is about 30.

About half of the cannons currently possessed by Wurmser’s army.

“Move the artillery! Block the enemies, huh!”

Suddenly, the artillery commander, Mittrowsky, who was descending from the highlands, lowered his head.

“What is it?”

Shells were flying in continuously.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Strictly speaking, the place where Marmont and Duroc’s artillery are firing is only one place.

It’s towards the regiment commanded by General Rosselmini on the right flank.

However, the main shell of the cannon in this era is not an incendiary shell, but literally a lump of iron.

The lump of iron that bounced off the ground and poured backward with full impact.

In addition, they were hitting only one place, so the infantry was retreating without being able to withstand it.

Above all, the speed is too fast.

General Davidovich, who had run to the right flank, shouted in disbelief.

“What happened to those guys’ cannons? Why is the bombardment so fast!”

“Your Grace! Oh my god, their cannons don’t have it!”

“What are you talking about, Mittrowsky!”

Count Mittrowsky urgently explained to Davidovich.

“Look. Cannons originally have errors in the shells and barrels, creating space. That’s the windage [the clearance between a projectile and the bore of a gun], which is the main culprit for making the cannon misfire rate and loading speed slow. But, it seems like they have almost none of that!”

This is the [Gribeauval Reform] that made the French artillery the strongest in Europe in the late 18th century.

Gribeauval, who was the artillery commander during the Old Royal era, standardized the cannons.

As a result of standardization, the style of the cannons disappeared, but the shells and barrels matched each other’s specifications.

Therefore, no matter which cannon you put the shell into, you can shoot it without twisting.

As a result, the weight became lighter and the loading speed became faster.

It is Marmont’s artillery unit that has already experienced actual combat twice and is accustomed to bombardment.

Naturally, rapid bombardment close to rapid fire became possible.

Of course, Davidovich, who doesn’t know this, shouted in disbelief.

“How can that be! They use the same cannons!”

At that time, Wurmser shouted from behind.

“Davidovich, this is not the time to fight!”

“Commander, then charge!”

“Yes, advance the infantry. But!”

Wurmser ordered, waving his baton.

“Instruct Rosselmini to bypass the rear and deal with those reckless bayonet chargers! The cavalry will deal with the artillery. Schwertz!”

Rosselmini does not charge directly.

Instead, he sends out a faster type of soldier.

Anton Schwertz von Cobinin.

The cavalry commander turned his horse and ran.

Austria has a weaker tradition of knights than France, but it has cavalry to be proud of.

It is the brave cavalry that was born in Hungary and fought against the Turks.

The Hussars [light cavalrymen of Hungary].

“Send out the Hussars!”

The Hussars that Wurmser had been saving rushed out.

-Woo-oh!

What they hold in their hands is a burning matchlock pistol.

They can only shoot one shot.

However, after shooting that pistol, the real Hussar’s attack is finally launched.

It’s a saber charge.

Even if it’s difficult to break through the line infantry in formation, it’s easy for the horse artillery.

1,000 Hussar cavalry ran from the hill to the plain all at once.

Instantly, the bombardment hit the vicinity.

-Bang!

Just as the cavalry was about to bounce off, Schwertz shouted.

“Don’t be afraid of the shells! The enemy dies in our hands! Those cannons are all ours!”

The Austrian Hussars followed Schwertz without fear.

-Doo-doo-doo!

Wurmser, who ordered the cavalry to sortie, focused on the front again.

Napoleon’s movements are all that Wurmser is interested in.

Others were not of interest to Wurmser.

The victor of Montenotte and Lodi.

The person who took Lombardy in just one month.

Austria will live only if that man is killed.

That’s when it happened.

Adjutant Colonel Klenau urgently reported.

“The bombardment has stopped!”

Wurmser nodded casually and glanced at the left flank.

“It went as expected. First, deal with those reckless bayonet chargers.”

“Yes! Tell Rosselmini’s regiment and Radetzky’s regiment to prepare to charge!”

“I understand. Send a messenger!”

The messengers ran from the central command to the left flank without rest.

Wurmser focused on the front again and thought deeply.

What will Napoleon’s next move be?

That’s when it happened.

-Bang!

The cannon blast shook his eardrums.

Even if his ears were going bad, he couldn’t help but hear such a loud noise.

In the first place, the reason why Wurmser’s ears went bad was because he heard too many cannon blasts on the battlefield.

Wurmser looked at the right flank again with a bewildered face, and shouted.

This is because the sound of the shell impact was definitely fired from the French army.

“What, didn’t the Hussars block the artillery? Why are they stopped?”

The Hussars can be seen stopped.

They should have run out and suppressed the artillery.

But rather, they were hesitating and unable to move.

Could it be that they were afraid of the cannons?

Just as Wurmser was about to order a messenger to urge them again, the new adjutant, Radetzky, shouted.

“Look there! A unit that appears to be the enemy is appearing in the northwest direction!”

Wurmser turned his telescope and widened his eyes.

“It’s the French army!”

Infantry units were approaching from the northwest, behind Marmont’s artillery.

The number is not properly identified because it is a column march.

But the army flag is a flag that Wurmser has already identified.

“Augereau!”

Augereau, the de facto main force of Napoleon’s Italian army.

If Eugene, Lannes, and Massena take turns at the vanguard, Augereau moves the main force.

So it’s natural that Schwertz stopped.

Looking at Augereau’s division slowly approaching, Wurmser gritted his teeth.

“He didn’t charge and tied up the cavalry!”

“Moreover, the enemy artillery is rather moving to our front!”

“If this continues, all of our ranks will be destroyed!”

Listening to Klenau and Radetzky reporting, Wurmser gasped.

Clearly, meeting Napoleon here in Castiglione was as planned.

He also predicted that the enemies would deliberately make deceptive maneuvers.

But the enemies are returning too quickly than expected.

However, even if the speed is slow, there is a way to deal with it.

“I can’t help it.”

Wurmser ordered the senior adjutant, Klenau.

“Abandon Rosselmini’s regiment.”

“Yes?”

“Leave only Rosselmini’s regiment in front of the bayonet chargers and retreat. Tell Schwertz to retreat as well.”

Using Rosselmini as bait, he saves the rest of the unit.

Next, he will show off Wurmser’s forte.

In short, it is a defensive battle.

“Engage in a defensive battle with the highlands in the rear. Until Alvinczy comes!”

It was the moment when 60 horse artillery wrote the myth of retreating 30,000 troops.

Of course, the battle is not over yet.