He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 135

(135) Succeeding in Imperial Counterattack with High-Speed Advance

Friuli, the easternmost edge of Venice, where the Alps taper off.

“Run! With all your might! Speed is the top priority in this battle! Giddy up!”

Murat shouted, urging the cavalry forward.

Unlike the high Alps, the Friuli area features lower mountains and relatively flat roads.

Moreover, it was November, before the heavy snows had begun.

It was suitable for a large army to maneuver.

Of course, with Murat leading the charge, there was a potential problem.

He didn’t seem to care about the condition of the horses at all.

Hearing Murat’s shout, Ippolito clicked his tongue and asked Eugene.

“I don’t know if it’s okay to leave it to Murat like that. Aside from the cavalry, can the infantry even keep up?”

“It’s true that encouragement is absolutely necessary. Anyway, time is of the essence.”

“What’s the point if we can’t fight when we arrive?”

Eugene shook his head and spurred his horse to a faster pace, replying.

“It’s the opposite. If we have to fight when we arrive, this offensive will be disrupted.”

The total strength of Napoleon’s Italian Army is currently 60,000.

Of these, 10,000 were heading towards Lake Garda, the Tyrol route, under the command of Laharpe.

So, the number of troops currently rushing towards Friuli is around 50,000.

Among them, the cavalry consists of 1,000 from the Horse Grenadier Brigade and 5,000 from the Pyrenees Light Cavalry, totaling 6,000.

However, due to the heavy casualties, especially in the Battle of Rivoli, the current strength is only about 5,000.

The rest are mainly line infantry, artillery, and engineer units, including medical units.

It is a modest force to attack the Empire [Holy Roman Empire].

But conversely, Napoleon didn’t seem to consider the consequences and advanced with virtually his entire army.

Even though he had already conquered it, he had completely emptied Northern Italy.

If the Alpine Army arrived just a little later, or if Lombardy or Venice harbored resentment, the rear would be in danger.

There was a risk that Napoleon’s entire army would be trapped in the Holy Roman Empire during the advance.

Nevertheless, Napoleon made a decision, and the entire army was running at full speed.

Ippolito tilted his head as he rode next to Eugene.

“Can we win without a fight?”

“That’s just a figure of speech. We’ll have to fight at least once. But not all the way to Vienna.”

“There will be defensive forces, right? Surely there won’t be none at all?”

At that moment, Eugene stared ahead.

“That’s what we have to break through, things like that.”

The cavalry, which had been running at a brisk pace, stopped.

As expected, each infantry division that had been trotting behind also reorganized its ranks.

The city beyond the eastern border of Venice, across the Tagliamento River.

Udine.

This is where the Austrian garrison is stationed.

However, the number is extremely small.

About 2,000 infantry.

This is because Alvinczy had taken all the troops that were originally guarding this place.

Still, since they are armed forces, there is a need to engage.

The commander, Napoleon’s order was conveyed through his adjutant, Murong.

“It’s a garrison! Masséna’s division, deploy for offense!”

“We’ll take care of it and go. Form a line!”

“The rest advance again! Masséna’s division will take care of the enemy and join us!”

The vanguard, Masséna’s division, took charge of the Udine garrison.

The rest ignored the garrison and continued their march for the day.

Eugene was about to lead his brigade when he was called by Masséna.

“Hey, Horse Grenadier Brigade! Have you been slacking off all this time? Give us a hand!”

Eugene rode over to Masséna and asked.

“You’re not suggesting we use grenades, are you? It’s hard enough just carrying them to Vienna.”

“Not at all! Marmont’s artillery will bombard those guys. They’re coming over there. What you guys need to do is disrupt their ranks after the bombardment!”

“Weren’t artillery shells more important strategic materials than grenades?”

When Eugene retorted, Masséna replied very simply.

“The royal family started gambling, right? Have you ever heard this saying? Gambling is originally about paying off debts by winning!”

This is the golden rule that Eugene, a former gambling aficionado, liked the most.

Debt is not a chain, but rather a seed that will earn even greater assets.

If you lose, it’s over anyway, so bet everything on victory.

However, Masséna, a former smuggler, unexpectedly threw a gambling proverb at Eugene.

Slightly caught off guard and smiling bitterly, Ippolito stuck close to Eugene.

“Weren’t you the gambler?”

“Well, I heard sailors gamble a lot too.”

“But where are you going to pay off the shells you use today?”

Before he knew it, Marmont’s horse artillery was deployed and began shelling.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

The Austrian garrison stationed in Udine was disrupted as the shells fell.

Even in the musket era, where infantry is the top priority, it is difficult to exert power if there are cracks in the line.

Because in this era, there is no such thing as cover fire based on breech-loading rifles yet.

Eugene did not miss the gap.

“Junot!”

Junot, who had rushed from Venice to join the army, spurred his horse and charged.

“Oh, how I missed this land where I can run on horseback! I understand Murat’s feelings!”

“Stop talking nonsense and charge!”

“Ah, I understand. Brigade Commander! Let’s go! Everyone!”

The grenadiers, led by Lasalle, followed with Champeaux and Joubert.

“Hee-ho! Major Lasalle is coming! Huh?”

But Lasalle, who was running, suddenly stopped his horse.

It is unusual for Lasalle, who recklessly breaks through enemy lines, to stop.

Eugene was a little surprised and was about to catch up with Lasalle when Lasalle shouted.

“Brigade Commander, I think there’s a warehouse over there?”

“A warehouse?”

“Yes, at first glance. Huh? It’s an armory?”

From the distant vanguard division, Masséna advanced the line infantry in columns, laughing heartily.

“Now, that armory is all ours! Hahaha!”

In short, Masséna had known from the beginning.

That there was an Austrian army supply depot in the Udine area.

Alvinczy, who valued orthodoxy, had thoroughly stockpiled supplies in the Udine area before his death.

Eugene smiled and gave the order.

“The real looter was someone else. Good, break through the front of the enemies! It’s definitely possible with the current momentum!”

It is an attack based on overwhelming superiority.

Here, the artillery fire and cavalry charge broke the ranks, and the Udine garrison collapsed.

The cavalry chase echoed loudly throughout the city.

– Bang! Click, bang! Click, bang!

With this, the Austrian army defending the Friuli area officially disappeared.

***

Clearly, the Holy Roman Empire is responding unusually quickly.

– Bang!

Archduke Karl slammed his fist on the table at the temporary headquarters in Munich.

It was a tremendous marching achievement to have run from Mainz to Munich in just two weeks.

Moreover, Archduke Karl’s forces numbered as many as 50,000.

Even though it was within the Holy Roman Empire, it was difficult to receive supply cooperation from the independent principalities, yet they came so quickly.

But then a report came in that the French army was not only coming through Tyrol.

They belatedly realized that they were not even looking at the Renner Pass.

“Are they sending troops on both sides?”

Major General Karl Philipp von Schwarzenberg, a messenger from the imperial capital of Vienna, was nervous.

He was still 24 years old, the same age as Archduke Karl.

Nevertheless, he rose to the rank of general because he was the heir to the Marquis family.

He had made considerable achievements in the war against France, but he was still a youngster in the Austrian army, which was full of veteran generals.

Watching the veteran generals next to Archduke Karl, Schwarzenberg nodded.

“Yes! Now the Emperor himself has ordered it in Vienna. Return immediately to defend Vienna!”

Emperor Franz II’s judgment is simple.

He does not know whether the main force of the enemy is in Tyrol or Friuli.

Then it is a top priority to focus on defending Vienna.

The Emperor’s order is to bring the entire defensive force to Vienna.

But Archduke Karl frowned and shook his head.

“No, then we’ll be attacked on both sides.”

“Your Highness, the Archduke. It is His Majesty’s order!”

“Major General Schwarzenberg! France has its main force on the Rhine. Tyrol is also coming over. But, are they even launching an offensive in Friuli? If we go to Vienna to defend it, we will be surrounded on all three sides!”

This is also true.

On the Rhine, Moreau is launching an offensive with an army of 100,000.

Although he was defeated by Karl after invading Munich, Moreau is not an incompetent general.

And what if the Tyrol area is the main force?

If Archduke Karl takes 60,000 troops to Vienna, Bavaria will fall.

Naturally, the Austrian-Prussian-Bavarian allied forces defending on the Rhine will also collapse.

In that case, even defending Vienna becomes very difficult.

Leiberich said bluntly.

“It is easy for the old men of the war committee to advise in the capital. They do not know the front at all. Perhaps it would be easier for His Majesty the Emperor to empty Vienna.”

“What would be the best thing to do, Leiberich?”

“Nevertheless, we cannot give Vienna to the enemy.”

Leiberich gave extremely reasonable advice.

“We must divide the army into two units. One must go to Vienna, and the other must defend Munich here.”

Archduke Karl clutched his head.

The 50,000 men he had brought here were really barely made up.

The total number of Austrian troops currently fighting on the battlefield is around 150,000.

In fact, more than 90,000 troops are fighting on the Rhine.

The remaining troops are scattered throughout Turkey and Austrian territory.

But to divide the troops again and take only half?

After much deliberation, Archduke Karl turned to Colli.

“Colli, tell me again. Where would Bonaparte send his main force?”

Colli, a soldier who once had Sardinia taken away by Napoleon’s army, sighed deeply.

“The defeated general has nothing to say, but if you still ask. Bonaparte goes to where the main force is.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“That man does not aim for the capital. He aims for the army. He did the same in Italy.”

Colli said, staring at the Archduke.

“If Your Highness the Archduke divides and sends troops, he will aim for and attack those troops.”

This is in line with Napoleon’s military doctrine, but it is also a way to attack the fortress of Vienna.

The former Turkish Empire attacked Vienna several times, but repeatedly failed.

Because in this era, it is only possible to attack a fortress by bringing dozens of siege cannons.

But Napoleon is marching with almost no siege cannons.

It was an inevitable choice to prioritize speed.

Therefore, even if he advances to Vienna, Napoleon must attack the army, not the fortress.

Karl finally nodded.

“Okay. I will not fully comply with His Majesty’s order. All troops, go to Vienna.”

Karl Theodor, the Elector of Munich, who had been anxiously watching the situation until then, was startled.

“Archduke! Then this Munich will be empty! Leave half, or even 10,000!”

Leiberich, Colli, and Schwarzenberg were all surprised.

Hadn’t the Archduke himself said that?

That the Rhine front could collapse if they went to Vienna.

Nevertheless, Archduke Karl replied with a pale face, politely but coldly.

“Ask the King of Prussia for that. The army of our Holy Roman Emperor must protect His Majesty.”

The Kaiserlich [Imperial Army], the army of the Habsburg Emperor, symbolized by white uniforms.

Although the Holy Roman Empire is neither holy, nor Roman, nor a unified empire, as Voltaire said, the Emperor still exists as the center.

Above all, as the ruler of the Habsburg family, with Austria as its core.

The Elector trembled, shouted, and ran out.

“You will definitely regret it! Archduke!”

Leiberich asked cautiously.

“Are you sure, Your Highness the Archduke?”

“If we defeat Bonaparte, everything will be fine.”

“Perhaps, we may be defeated. Würmser and Alvinczy already······.”

The veteran generals of reversal were also defeated.

Can the young Archduke Karl win?

But the Archduke showed his determination with a firm face.

“Anyway, Bonaparte is just a youngster who is only two years older than me! Let’s fight with all our might, risking the fate of the Empire!”

Unfortunately, Archduke Karl had forgotten one thing.

That the truth is that Napoleon is the one who wants a decisive battle the most.

***

Leoben, an area of ​​500 meters above sea level, is an extremely low point in the Alps.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

The opening battle still begins with shelling.

The shells, which may have been insufficient, were obtained from the enemy’s supply base while breaking through the Friuli route.

Udine, Trieste, Klagenfurt.

These are the cities that exist on the Alpine route from Venice to Vienna.

All of these places collapsed almost without resistance.

Even if they resisted, they would shell them, and if they charged the Pyrenees cavalry in the mountains, and the line infantry in the higher altitudes, they would all surrender.

The same was true of the 500 or so Austrian troops defending Leoben.

Colonel Josef, the commander of the garrison, screamed and raised a white flag.

“Save me! I want an honorable surrender!”

It was truly easy to occupy a key point that could have been a fortress.

Unlike the previous Italian expedition, Napoleon focused on disarming and imprisoning the enemy rather than annihilating them.

Masséna, the commander of the vanguard division, shrugged his shoulders, looking at his adjutant, Brigadier General Serboni.

“This is really the first time I’ve pushed so unilaterally?”

“It shows how much the Austrian army has been weakened in Italy. It seems that the absolute amount of gunpowder is also insufficient. They couldn’t return fire.”

“It’s just like when our revolutionary army was first conscripted. Do you know that we charged with bayonets because we didn’t have bullets back then?”

Masséna, who was joking lightly, said, looking at the defending troops who were surrendering willingly.

“But those guys don’t seem to be ready to charge with bayonets.”

As the vanguard occupied Leoben, Napoleon’s army began to arrive one after another.

Augereau’s division, Sérurier’s division, and Lannes’ cavalry.

Here, Napoleon’s direct division, the Horse Grenadier Brigade, and Marmont’s artillery followed.

Chief of Staff Berthier, who was inspecting the marching posture, returned and reported.

“Commander, it seems that the time has come to create a campsite.”

Napoleon, riding a horse, headed to the highest hill and asked.

“Did you leave troops in the rear?”

“No. The commander ordered everyone to be brought.”

“Good, excellent. The Alpine Army will protect the rear.”

After that, Eugene, Ippolito, and Junot were following.

Even if it is low, this is also the Alps.

The scenery spread out below the mountain range looked dangerously steep.

Ippolito, who was looking down from the high ground, asked Eugene in a low voice.

“Wow, are we really okay doing this?”

Many words are omitted, but Eugene knows what he means.

Although they had occupied all the rear areas, they had not left a single garrison.

If even a militia were to rise in Venice, the retreat would be blocked.

Eugene shrugged his shoulders.

“Originally, it shouldn’t be done. We have to secure a retreat, but we came without doing any of that.”

“If something goes wrong, are we trapped and die in Austrian territory?”

“We could be trapped and die in the Alps.”

At that time, Napoleon opened his mouth, looking down from the hill of Leoben.

“We have traveled almost 500 kilometers in 15 days.”

Everyone looked at Napoleon.

In the history of the French army, Napoleon is the first to have come this far.

Even Louis XIV, who fought Austria over the Spanish succession issue, did not come this close to Vienna.

“Now Vienna is right in front of us.”

Of course, Napoleon said that it was right in front of him, but strictly speaking, it is about 160 kilometers ahead.

However, until now, they had to cross the Alps.

On the other hand, now they can march flatly in a relatively low area.

At the marching speed of Napoleon’s army, it is 5 days away.

On the other hand, it is 400 kilometers from Munich to Vienna.

Eugene stood next to Napoleon.

Napoleon turned to Eugene and said.

“We can no longer deceive the enemy. The Emperor, the Austrian military, and the allies will all know.”

“What are you going to do? Are you going straight down to Vienna?”

“We have to. Send scouts first. But there won’t be any enemies yet.”

At that moment, Napoleon smiled, revealing his teeth.

“If they come, we’ll smash them in front of Vienna. That’s our decisive battle.”

Siege warfare is not Napoleon’s forte.

Also, Vienna is a fortress that has twice blocked the offensive of the Turkish Empire, which had previously used artillery.

Of course, it was in the 16th and 17th centuries, so it is different from the current cannons at the end of the 18th century.

However, it is certainly not a favorable condition for Napoleon’s army, which does not have siege cannons.

But what if we smash the enemy in front of Vienna?

We can lose all will to fight.

At that moment, Eugene nodded.

“The Empire will be destroyed in the name of the revolution. No, in the name of ‘Father’, Napoleon.”

Instead of answering, Napoleon looked down below the Alps.

The imperial capital of Vienna was waiting for Napoleon.