He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 115

(115) Alvinczy, Austria’s Last Card, Arrives

By the time Austria’s [sword] (referring to their military might) arrived, the situation was already over.

“Unbelievable. Würmser, Davidovich, Mittrowsky, all dead in vain.”

Lake Garda, filled with water from melting Alpine glaciers.

It was already a famous tourist destination since the late 18th century.

But now, this tourist spot was filled with bloodshed, smoke, and screams.

The 50,000-strong army that reached the high ground of Castiglione, south of Lake Garda, solemnly looked at the battlefield.

At the forefront was a man who, though only 59, was already white-haired.

The white-haired general, Baron Josef Alvinczy von Berberek, spoke bluntly, as if spitting out the words.

Alvinczy, whom Würmser had been waiting for so eagerly, had finally arrived.

Exactly three and a half days later.

However, the battlefield was already empty, with only ashes and unburnt insignia remaining.

Alvinczy picked up an unburnt cross medal from the ashes.

“They didn’t even leave corpses. Did they set them on fire?”

Behind him, the soldiers, officers, and generals of Alvinczy’s corps remained silent.

Friuli, east of the Italian Peninsula.

The soldiers who came here were mostly troops who had been supported or trained in Friuli.

Thus, Alvinczy named this corps the [Friuli Corps].

Among the commanders, some had originally fought under Würmser.

Schwirz, the commander of the Hussar cavalry, Infantry Major General Roselmini, and Major Radetzky, who had served as a messenger.

Of these, Schwirz announced Würmser’s death.

Also, Roselmini and Radetzky survived this time as well.

However, surviving was not a cause for joy.

Suddenly, Radetzky shed tears and protested.

“Marshal Würmser did his best!”

“I know. That deaf old man was competent. But he was powerless against the barbaric French army.”

“We must take revenge!”

At that moment, Alvinczy retorted coldly.

“You’re young, Major. What about you, Baron Laudon? Anything to say as a peer?”

Johann Ludwig von Laudon.

The nephew of Marshal Laudon, the famous shield of Austria during the Seven Years’ War.

In the face of the death of Würmser, who had become the empire’s shield, the 28-year-old General Laudon clicked his tongue.

Of course, it wasn’t that he didn’t understand Radetzky’s feelings.

But war is not waged with emotions alone.

Laudon, who became a general early due to his noble status, calmly said to Radetzky.

“It’s difficult, Major Radetzky. Even if we march to Milan right now, can we win?”

“So, shouldn’t we fight against the enemy!”

“Do we even know where the enemy is to chase after them blindly? When I followed your guidance, there was no enemy.”

Radetzky gritted his teeth.

It was frustrating, but Laudon’s words were correct.

It was hard to believe that a war with a large army clashing had taken place here just three days ago.

Not even a single straggler remained nearby.

However, if Laudon had seen the enemy directly, he wouldn’t have spoken so easily.

Furthermore, if he had fought alongside the soldiers who died in Castiglione, he would have felt it even more.

The cold-blooded aristocratic general, Alvinczy, of course, didn’t care about Radetzky’s feelings.

Alvinczy coldly turned to his adjutant, Chief of Staff Franz von Weyrother.

“Josef Franz Canto-di is the [Field Marshal] and commander of the Mantua garrison, right?”

“Yes, Commander. He is currently defending Mantua well. However, no support has been sent.”

“This is why Würmser is needed. Canto is stubborn. And he’s older than me.”

In the seniority-based Austrian army, noble status, general rank, and age are important.

The commander of the Mantua garrison, Canto, is a field marshal, that is, a lieutenant general.

His rank is the same as Alvinczy’s, but he is older.

So, Alvinczy’s words don’t carry much weight.

Würmser probably intended to control him directly.

But Würmser died, and Alvinczy had to fight Bonaparte without receiving separate instructions from the home country.

Frowning deeply, Alvinczy decided.

“Alright. There’s no need to rush. First, we’ll head to Verona.”

Chief of Staff Weyrother adjusted his monocle and turned his head.

“I heard that Verona fell into French hands. Is that correct?”

“That’s right! I heard that Major General Liptay was defeated there and fled.”

“No, I’m not asking you, Radetzky.”

Now 40 years old, he was a chief of staff.

It was a fairly rapid promotion in the Austrian army.

Weyrother was clearly a talent that the Austrian military was paying attention to, though not as much as Baron Laudon, the nephew of Marshal Laudon, who had been the empire’s shield.

Alvinczy’s trusted chief of staff, Weyrother, asked with a glint in his eye.

“General Liptay, right?”

Now 50 years old.

But there was a general who had nothing to say because he was a defeated commander.

The man who lost all of the Naples Kingdom’s support troops after being attacked by Masséna, Eugene, and Lannes.

Anton Liptay von Kisfalud lowered his head.

“That’s right. Those devilish Frenchmen took all of the Neapolitan support troops!”

“You ran away, Liptay.”

“N, no, that’s not it! Hey, Major Radetzky! You saw it too! Those devils!”

Radetzky gritted his teeth.

He had fled from Montenotte, then ran south, and even lost the support troops.

He felt like he wanted to curse at him.

But if you only looked at the results, he wasn’t much different from Radetzky.

Barely suppressing his anger, Radetzky nodded.

“He’s not wrong. They are devils!”

However, Alvinczy still replied coldly.

“Then securing supply lines is even more important. First, we go to Verona. And, just in case, send a messenger to Mantua. That friend would be good for the messenger.”

Radetzky blinked.

Alvinczy’s baton was pointing at Radetzky.

Until just now, the atmosphere was clearly critical, but now he was entrusting him with a message again.

Instantly, an enraged Radetzky shouted.

“Commander, I want to fight. Not be a messenger!”

“Insubordination?”

“Th, that’s!”

In the military, insubordination is a serious crime.

This is especially true in the Austrian army, where strict hierarchy prevails.

But Alvinczy, who seemed ready to order a cold flogging at any moment, clicked his tongue.

“But I can’t just send away a friend who ran away from the enemy’s attack. Let me explain.”

Rather, Alvinczy was highly evaluating Radetzky.

“What do you think is the strength of our Holy Roman Emperor’s army?”

“Yes? Well, strict discipline and loyalty to His Imperial Majesty.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Our army’s strength is supply. And a officer corps that knows how to secure supplies.”

Alvinczy turned around.

Adolf Brabeck, Philipp von Dannenfeldt, Frederick Xavier von Hohenzollern-Hechingen.

Generals who had fought with Alvinczy on the Flanders and Rhine fronts.

In addition, there were new talents such as Laudon and a staff led by Chief of Staff Weyrother.

There were no spectacular achievements.

Generals who had silently done what they had to do.

But Alvinczy had been leading them and winning.

How?

By thoroughly adhering to the basics of war.

“Maintaining the army in top condition through thorough supply depots, supply bases, and securing supply lines. That is our greatest strength. With this strength, we defeated the Turks, kept Prussia in check, and now defeated France on the Rhine.”

Just as Radetzky was staring blankly at Alvinczy, Alvinczy snorted.

“But both Beaulieu and that old man Würmser lost that strength.”

“Don’t insult the Marshal!”

“It’s not an insult, it’s the truth, Major Radetzky.”

Instantly, Alvinczy frowned and snapped coldly.

“They were swayed by a greenhorn and lost their rhythm. We must attack the enemy with our strengths. So, there are many things that you and the messengers have to do.”

So, Alvinczy wasn’t putting down Würmser.

No, he wasn’t interested in such things in the first place.

He only faced the situation before him, analyzed it accurately, and took measures.

In an extremely mechanical way.

So, what is the problem that Alvinczy is thinking about now?

Alliances.

“The Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Duke of Modena, the Duke of Parma, who are just watching. The Papal States, the Republic of Genoa, and even the Republic of Venice. This place is full of our allies and vassals.”

“Th, that’s right.”

“There are even too many relatives of His Imperial Majesty. But is the Grand Duke of Tuscany even moving? No, let’s not even go that far.”

The Grand Duke of Tuscany is Ferdinand von Habsburg, the Emperor’s own brother.

Ferdinand, who should have urgently dispatched support troops, was not moving from Florence.

Even though the Kingdom of Sardinia had fallen, Milan had been occupied, and the Austrian army had been annihilated in Garda.

Rather, he was shrinking back and hiding.

So, who would move?

Therefore, Alvinczy believed that he had to move the allies within Italy first.

That way, he could isolate Napoleon.

Where should he start?

Alvinczy’s cold eyes flashed.

“Why is Canto holed up in Mantua and not moving?”

Mantua, the best fortress in northern Italy.

There, the Austrian garrison was stationed.

No matter how important a strategic point is, it is not more important than war.

However, Canto, the field marshal and commander of the Mantua garrison, was not moving at all.

If an Austrian general doesn’t move, which allied leaders would move?

Only then did Radetzky realize Alvinczy’s intentions and opened his mouth wide.

It was a truly accurate point.

Alvinczy added, as if emphasizing.

“The enemy is not a devil. Just a person. I defeated Moreau on my way here, and I even captured a man named [Desaix], who was his subordinate.”

“Th, that’s amazing.”

“It’s not amazing. Their physical condition, weaponry, military system. None of it is new.”

Bavarian engagement on the Rhine front.

Archduke Karl and Alvinczy were the ones who pursued the retreating Moreau corps.

Before going down to Italy, Alvinczy captured Desaix, the division commander of the Moreau corps who was in charge of rear defense in this battle.

Thanks to this, Desaix is currently a prisoner.

But even though he had achieved such military exploits, Alvinczy did not have a proud face.

With an expression that he had simply done what he had to do, Alvinczy said.

“Humans, even the enemy. So, if you do what you have to do, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Then, Radetzky, who was listening to Alvinczy’s words, widened his eyes.

“Ah, now that I think about it, the way they use their guns was different.”

“Different? What do you mean?”

“They reloaded their guns from the rear. Yes. Like using a [Windbüchse] (Girandoni air rifle).”

This was about the Ferguson rifle.

Schwirz, who had endured Ozhuro’s checks and Marmont’s shelling, and Roselmini, who had engaged in close combat, did not know.

Only Radetzky, who was next to Würmser at headquarters, had seen the scene.

The sight of reloading and firing bullets from the rear, like a Windbüchse, or Girandoni air rifle.

It was definitely strange.

Alvinczy also showed a change in expression at those words.

“They wouldn’t be able to use the Windbüchse on a large scale. Let’s find out about that later. Anyway, do you understand what I’m saying, Major Radetzky? Our army needs support troops.”

Isolate the enemy and concentrate our forces.

Thoroughly secure supply lines and strangle the enemy.

If a weakness is revealed, bite and capture it immediately.

Just like defeating Moreau and capturing Desaix on the Rhine.

Then, Radetzky exclaimed with excitement.

“Yes, Commander. I will definitely bring him out. Even if I have to grab him by the collar!”

Looking at Radetzky running away, Alvinczy turned to his subordinates.

“Good. Then, now we will do our [work] (referring to the meticulous planning and preparation).”

A man who handles everything thoroughly and mechanically.

Alvinczy, a general from Hungary, but more German than the Germans, began to move.

***

Verona is about 40 kilometers from Lake Garda.

The daily march distance of Austrian infantry is 20 kilometers.

However, Alvinczy arrived three days later.

Rather than moving quickly, he mobilized after thorough preparation.

That was Alvinczy’s way of advancing.

Verona, a city occupied by Eugene’s trick, became its sacrifice.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Amidst the loud cannon fire, there was a cavalry unit running towards the eastern gate of Verona.

The number was 1,000.

The Pyrenees Cavalry Regiment that Eugene had requested Lannes to leave behind.

As the commander, Colonel Bessières, was running busily, Salicetti, who was running with the commander, clicked his tongue.

“Wow, our Freischütz (lucky shooter) Eugene never mentioned anything like this.”

Bessières shouted urgently.

“Would I have known? Just run quickly, Commissioner!”

“What about the people of Verona?”

“They’ll take care of themselves. Aren’t they originally Venetians? It wouldn’t be strange for them to surrender to Austria.”

The only troops that France left in Verona were the cavalry.

It was almost impossible to fight a complete army in the field.

However, it was difficult to trust the people of Verona to hold out.

Eugene had given prior instructions in preparation for such a situation.

「If a rebellion breaks out, try to suppress it, but don’t overdo it and escape. But don’t forget the Commissioner.」

The contingency plan for a rebellion had become useful.

Fortunately, Bessières had not neglected reconnaissance, so he had discovered the enemy in advance and prepared to flee.

But Salicetti, who was fleeing in a hurry, asked.

“Wait! If we lose Verona like this, won’t the supply lines be cut off? Where did the main force go?”

The main base of the French Italian Army Corps is, of course, Milan.

But Verona is east of Milan.

If this place is occupied, Napoleon’s main force will be cut off from Milan.

Because the Italian Army Corps is currently advancing into the Republic of Venice to lure Alvinczy.

Recalling the news from the messenger who had arrived a few days ago, Bessières clicked his tongue.

“It seems like they’re going further into Venice.”

“What do you mean by that? What about Milan?”

“They must have just left it to General Sérurier.”

Confirming that the unit members were leaving the gate, Bessières said.

“The main force is currently advancing rapidly to Caldiero.”

Salicetti asked back in surprise.

“Isn’t that right in front of Verona?”

“That’s right.”

“Then are they fighting there?”

Caldiero, a small city located east of Verona.

It is about 20 kilometers from Verona.

One day’s march for the Alvinczy Friuli Corps.

About half a day at the speed of Napoleon’s Italian Army Corps.

Would Alvinczy spend a day chasing after them?

Bessières spurred his horse and replied.

“That depends on the tendencies of the enemy commander. Hyah!”

The 1,000 cavalrymen followed him and deserted Verona.

-Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!

At the same time, the sound of shelling hitting the walls of Verona was heard.

-Boom!

Seven days since Verona was occupied by France.

It was the day that Verona was reconquered by the Austrian army in just one week.

***

Even for Alvinczy, the experience of taking a castle in less than a day was a first.

“A siege with absolutely no resistance. If all sieges were like this, I would have already conquered [Constantinople] (modern-day Istanbul, a historically significant city).”

Alvinczy entered Verona with a cold face and sarcasm.

Alvinczy, who had once fought against the Turkish army and commanded the Siege of Belgrade.

Even in an era where cannons are the main force on the battlefield, sieges are still difficult.

Verona also has walls and fortresses, so if they had decided to hold out, it would not have been easy.

But the French army aside, even the people of Verona had surrendered without resistance.

It shows how powerless the thousand-year-old Republic of Venice has become.

At that moment, a man who had come out to surrender in front of Alvinczy answered.

“General Würmser said. That Napoleon doesn’t defend.”

It was Francesco Battaglia, the former commander of the Verona militia.

Alvinczy glanced at Battaglia and stroked his chin.

Not being obsessed with occupying strategic points, and not being obsessed with defending them.

It is consistent with Napoleon’s tendencies that have been reported to the Austrian War Committee.

“An ideal tactic. How easy would it be to advance if you could only fight? But then morale wouldn’t be maintained.”

“That’s why they [plunder] (steal goods by force).”

“What?”

When Alvinczy raised his eyebrows, Battaglia explained in detail.

“They extort money from the rich in the city. The Sardinian palace has already been looted. Works of art from various places are said to be going to Paris.”

The biggest reason to defend strategic points in war is because of supply lines.

But Napoleon is not obsessed with supplies.

As a result, the tactic of not defending and going to fight the enemy’s main force could be established.

But looting naturally worsens the public sentiment in the occupied territories.

Alvinczy, the cold-blooded mechanical general of the cultured Austria, snorted.

“Barbarian bastards. Something you could only see in the Middle Ages.”

“Then they will plunder in Venice too.”

“That’s possible, Weyrother. Where are the French bastards located? Did you say militia commander?”

Alvinczy, who was lightly talking with Weyrother with his monocle, turned back to Battaglia.

Battaglia swallowed hard.

A new conqueror had come.

In order to protect this city and its people, Battaglia had to act to the best of his ability.

“Yes, my name is Francesco Battaglia. The French army is currently in the Caldiero area.”

Rather than stubbornly resisting, he chose to surrender flexibly.

Because he judged that he could not win even if he fought the war.

Thanks to this, the citizens were clearly not looted, raped, or killed.

But is this choice really the right one?

Perhaps, will it ultimately lead to a crisis for Venice?

Battaglia has not answered that question.

Of course, Alvinczy, who was not interested in Battaglia’s concerns, only looked at the map that his adjutant, Weyrother, had spread out.

“Caldiero. It’s right in front of us on the map.”

“What are you going to do? Should we send an advance guard?”

“No.”

Alvinczy replied to Chief of Staff Weyrother.

“Canto will come out this time too. Until then, we will not move either. Make every effort to secure supply lines. Ah, that’s right.”

He doesn’t rush to find the enemy.

Rather, he thoroughly establishes the basics of war in the late 18th century.

Securing support troops, expanding supplies, and confirming supply lines.

Alvinczy, who was quietly counting what he had to do, turned to Battaglia.

“I need to send a messenger to the Venetian government. Battaglia, militia commander, how about it? Will you do it?”

Battaglia gritted his teeth.

Battaglia is a Venetian aristocrat and the commander of the Verona militia.

There is no reason for him to be treated as a messenger when he is not Alvinczy’s subordinate.

Nevertheless, Battaglia nodded.

Because that would be the price the loser would have to pay.

“I understand. General.”

September 3, 1795.

Alvinczy came to Italy.

Austria’s sword, the last card prepared by the empire.