He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 200

(200) Desaix is Called the Pasha of Damietta

The waves off Damietta are quite strong, unlike those of Abu Qir Bay.

– Splaaash!

However, Sidney Smith didn’t feel the rocking of the waves at all.

It was because of the line of battleships that appeared before his eyes.

Thirteen ships. No matter how large battleships are, it would seem that a fleet of sixty ships should be able to resist them.

But actual combat is completely different.

“Battleships! What the hell is Nelson doing, that son of a bitch!”

It was very harsh language, especially considering it was an insult to his superior.

Because in the British Mediterranean command structure, Nelson is second in command.

This was especially true since the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet was completely unaware that he had died in battle.

Nevertheless, Sidney’s subordinates seemed to be joining in on the swearing.

Sidney’s personality was already fiery, and he gathered even worse guys as his subordinates.

Sidney’s adjutant, John Wesley Wright, gritted his teeth and shouted.

“It’s certain, Admiral.”

“What is?”

“That lazy bastard Nelson hasn’t arrived yet. Otherwise, how could the French battleship fleet have come all the way here to eastern Egypt!”

Wright’s words seemed reasonable at first glance.

No one entertained the illusion that Nelson’s fleet had been annihilated by the French fleet.

Originally, there was a significant gap between Britain and France at sea.

This was proven in the Seven Years’ War, the American Revolutionary War, and even more so in the recent French Revolutionary Wars.

Moreover, Nelson has a bad personality and a bad relationship with Sidney, but he is still a top-class British naval commander.

Therefore, it must be assumed that Nelson is fighting in Gibraltar or elsewhere and has not yet arrived in Egypt.

Sidney frowned.

“That makes sense. Nelson hasn’t arrived yet? But that’s even more of a problem.”

Whether Nelson came, didn’t come, or was annihilated doesn’t matter.

If he can’t arrive right now, it doesn’t change anything.

The conclusion that the British transport fleet will be annihilated by the French battleship fleet remains.

Sidney, a cheerful, bold, and decisive eccentric, sought out Grand Vizier Ziyauddin.

“Let’s retreat, Your Excellency Grand Vizier.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? Can’t you see our troops on land? Besides, they only have thirteen ships!”

“The enemy has thirteen battleships, Grand Vizier!”

Sidney shouted, angrier than ever.

“As the very person who defeated the Russian Navy, I can clearly state that if there are more than ten battleships at sea, one hundred frigates and galleys cannot win!”

The Turkish Empire has never fought against France.

Of course, they have never fought a naval battle with Britain.

In fact, they have only fought on land with Austria, a long-time rival.

However, they have fought several naval battles with Russia over the Black Sea.

Therefore, the Grand Vizier was awakened by the mention of the Russian fleet.

The Sidney before his eyes was, when you think about it, the very person who, at the age of twenty, commanded the Swedish fleet and defeated the Russian fleet.

One of Sidney’s prides was that he had obtained the Swedish knighthood for his achievements at that time.

But conversely, it means that even the admiral who had defeated the Russian Navy is now telling them to avoid the French battleship fleet.

Indeed, the weight of the words could not be different.

Grand Vizier Ziyauddin blinked his one eye incessantly and protested.

“B, but that won’t do. The army that landed in Damietta is the hope of our [Ottoman] Empire!”

Ziyauddin isn’t just dragging around a bunch of rabble now.

The Turkish Empire has put its heart and soul into fostering the new-style army, the Nizam-i Cedid [New Order Army].

The elite infantry Janissaries, who reigned as the strongest soldiers during the empire’s heyday.

In addition, the Turkish knightly group, the Anatolian Sipahi [cavalry], which Ziyauddin personally summoned and brought from Anatolia, landed on that sandy beach.

It is not a force to be taken lightly with just 35,000 men.

From Turkey’s point of view, they have sent their very best to Egypt.

That’s why they were using the British fleet, known as the strongest in the world, for transportation.

But to abandon that army and flee?

It’s not just Ziyauddin’s head that will roll.

The family will be ruined.

Sidney understood.

In fact, if this operation fails, Sidney’s ‘head’ is also in danger.

However, if the thirteen battleships in front of him aim their cannons at them, his ‘body’ will fly away from this spot.

Sidney, who was anxiously watching the front, nodded.

“Grand Vizier, then let’s at least move the ship back.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Judging from what I see now, the battleship fleet is not targeting us. They are targeting the land.”

Then Ziyauddin shouted in anger.

“Then that means our army will be attacked from both sides!”

At that moment, Sidney couldn’t stand it and sneered.

“This is why non-experts shouldn’t come to the battlefield.”

“What? Are you saying that to me? I am also a general who has fought against the Russian Empire several times!”

“No, I’m not ignoring you, Grand Vizier, but you are an army expert, not a navy expert, right?”

Sidney pointed to the French Mediterranean fleet and asked.

“Look. Do those cannons reach the land?”

Already, battleships, including the Horus, are bombarding.

– Splash! Splash! Splash!

The shells only fall on the water’s surface and do not reach the land.

This is because they are hovering outside the range.

But the fleet doesn’t get close to the land either.

Only then did Ziyauddin realize the situation.

It’s a warning shot.

“It’s far.”

“Attacking the land by firing from the sea is a fantasy! The cannon range is not that great. If you get too close, you might run aground! So, the army just needs to do well!”

“I understand.”

Grand Vizier Ziyauddin was also scared of the battleship fleet’s bombardment.

“Let’s retreat!”

In the end, the British transport fleet began to retreat, leaving behind 35,000 Turkish troops.

It was, after all, an extremely rational decision.

***

However, from the perspective of the Turkish expeditionary force on land, it is a bolt from the blue.

“This is betrayal.”

Commander Mustafa Pasha muttered without realizing it.

The French fleet has appeared and is bombarding the land.

Even if the shells don’t reach, it’s impossible not to be afraid.

But the fleet that should be guarding the rear is suddenly moving away as if fleeing.

Could it be that they are running away?

In the late 18th century, without communication devices, it is impossible to grasp the intentions of friendly forces from a distance.

Moreover, the Turkish expeditionary force is now facing the enemy’s bombardment and attack.

Janissaries, Sipahi, and Turkish infantry all shouted in unison.

“The navy is retreating! They are abandoning us and running away! They are disappearing!”

“Are you telling us to stay here and die? Is that what you’re saying?”

“We’re isolated! Oh my god! The enemy is in front, and the sea is behind!”

Cavalry commander Hassan Bey, who rushed over in a hurry, grabbed the commander.

“If we continue like this, we will all die. Serasker [Commander]!”

Still, the cannons fired by the battleship fleet are roaring at sea.

– Bang! Bang! Bang!

Every time the roar echoes, soldiers scream and run behind the barricades.

Of course, the soldiers who ran out had to be shot and killed by the opposing enemy cavalry.

However, the remaining soldiers were all running around in a panic as if they were in a state of panic.

At this rate, they will collapse behind the barricades.

In the end, Serasker (Commander) Mustafa made a decision.

“Yes, as things stand, we will fight with our backs to the sea!”

Mustafa’s adjutant and nephew, Muhammad Ali, asked in surprise.

“Yes? Uncle. I’ve never heard of such tactics!”

“I heard it! Far to the east, in the land of [China under the] Qing [Dynasty], it is said to be a time-honored tactic!”

“Uncle, oh my god!”

Ali shouted, desperately trying to stop his uncle.

“If you do that now, the army will collapse!”

In short, he is talking about setting up a so-called [death ground – a military tactic where soldiers are placed in a situation where their only option is to fight to the death].

However, even Han Xin, the founder of the [death ground] tactic, used it only in very special situations and in a limited way.

Usually, setting up a [death ground] will shatter the ‘morale’ of the army.

Besides, if this were right in front of Constantinople, it would be different.

Aren’t most of the expeditionary forces in Misr (Egypt) for the first time in their lives?

There is no way the morale can withstand it.

However, Mustafa shouted with bloodshot eyes and a raised voice.

“There is no other way! Nizam-i Cedid unit! Prepare to sortie!”

The new army, Nizam-i Cedid, trained in the French style, sortied.

– Clank, clank, clank!

The red-uniformed musketeers were equipped with European-style muskets.

However, these guns are, of course, not the new percussion lock type, but the old flintlock type.

So, it took time to prepare for firing.

Nevertheless, the morale of the Turkish army returned just by the Nizam-i Cedid stepping forward.

Ali also ran to direct the artillery.

“All batteries, prepare to fire!”

“We also have cannons! Fire at the front!”

“Aim the muzzles!”

Muhammad Ali shouted, aiming twenty-five French-style Gribeauval cannons.

“Fire!”

However, before the cannons could be fired, explosions occurred.

– Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

Surprised, Mustafa looked back at Ali and shouted.

“What is it!”

“It’s an explosion, Pasha!”

“Where the hell did the explosion happen! Did the cannon explode! Huh?”

Then Ali sat down in a daze and pointed to the sky.

“There, in the sky?”

Originally, no one has the luxury of looking at the sky on a fierce battlefield.

That’s why the Turkish expeditionary force never thought of looking at the sky until a black lump of iron of unknown origin, actually a Eugene-style grenade, fell from the sky.

– Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!

Bombs fall from a fish-shaped object floating in the air.

The height is such that if the ground forces fire a new type of gun with a long range, they can respond.

However, the Turkish expeditionary force froze at the sight of an object they had never seen before, that is, a [hot air] balloon.

Suddenly, Janissary commander Ismail, who was advancing from the front, screamed.

“The Franks have brought a flying monster!”

As if the scream was a signal flare, 35,000 Turkish troops fell into panic all at once.

“Avoid it! Run away! Save me!”

“I, I can’t fight. Not with those demons!”

“Allah! Save my soul from the devil!”

They have already forgotten the barricades.

They forgot that there were enemy cavalry in front.

They forgot that there were still reserves in the rear.

They forgot why they came here.

All 35,000 soldiers began to run to the sea.

There is only one way to live.

You have to get on the ship that is moving away.

The amazing commander, Mustafa, shouted as if spitting out a scream.

“You guys, fight back! Don’t back down! Ugh?”

Then Mustafa’s eyes widened.

“When did the enemy get here!”

In front of the barricades, soldiers in blue uniforms aimed their guns.

The muzzles of Boarner-style percussion breech-loading rifles shine in the sunlight.

The shooting was directed at Mustafa and Nizam-i Cedid.

– Tang! Clank, tang! Clank, tang!

It was truly a one-sided shooting battle that shook the Turkish fortress of Damietta.

***

The battlefield where the gunfire has stopped is still noisy.

“Aaaah! My arm, my leg!”

“F, Franks, please spare my life!”

“Run away! Run to the ship!”

The army is life in formation.

An army that is not united, or whose discipline is broken, or whose command system is absent is no longer an armed group.

It’s just a crowd.

That was the case with the Turkish Egyptian expeditionary force that had sailed to Damietta with great momentum.

Egypt was originally their own territory, and the French army was fighting in enemy territory, and the British navy was helping, so they thought that a simultaneous land and sea attack would be possible.

The morale soared, and the preparations were perfect.

Everyone was confident that they would not be easily defeated because they had mastered European tactics.

However, two hours after the start of the battle.

The Turkish army was shattered just like the Mamluk army.

Brigadier General Saint-Cyr shouted to Desaix, who was standing in front of the Turkish temporary fortress.

“I’m amazed that you thought of using balloons, Division Commander Desaix!”

Of course, the balloon is not the key.

Also, the naval amphibious operation cannot be said to be the decisive blow.

The real key to this battle was the blitzkrieg [lightning war].

Divert attention with cavalry charges, naval attacks, and balloon bombings.

In this situation, boldly advance the infantry from the front and pour out a blitzkrieg.

In fact, the reason why Ismail’s Janissaries and infantry corps fled was because the line infantry advanced in columns.

Desaix was not under Napoleon, but he had already mastered the column advance blitzkrieg.

Looking back at Saint-Cyr, who was impressed, Desaix replied.

“Didn’t you see it once in the Battle of the Pyramids? I just thought of that.”

“But even the Chief of Staff didn’t think of it, did he, in this battle!”

“Well, the Chief of Staff must have been focused on bringing in the navy.”

Looking at Eugene’s Horus, floating far away at sea, Desaix smiled strangely.

“I hope I passed the Chief of Staff’s [test] with this.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“I want to participate in the journey of returning to the army.”

Desaix’s gaze turned again to the desert spread out to the east.

“Because it seems like it will be a truly glorious battlefield.”

Meanwhile, Desaix’s division jumped over the barricades of the temporary fortress.

The number is only 10,000.

Compared to the Turkish corps that was holed up in the fortress just now, it is less than a third.

However, there were very few casualties, and they almost completely destroyed the enemy.

Even now, Turkish soldiers are being stabbed to death by bayonets or are struggling in the sea.

It’s a terrible sight, but at the same time, it’s a perfect victory for the French army.

Victory cheers rang out among Desaix’s division soldiers.

“Our Desaix division has won!”

Then Lasalle came running towards Desaix, waving his shaggy hair.

Behind Lasalle was a man wearing a turban.

He looks quite noble for some reason.

Just as Desaix was about to ask, Lasalle shouted first.

“Hee-ho! Division Commander, I caught the enemy’s Pasha [high-ranking officer]!”

Pasha, that is, the honorific title of the enemy commander.

Lasalle, who did not know the official title of Serasker, simply called Mustafa Pasha after hearing his name.

Then Adjutant Saint-Cyr laughed and said to Desaix.

“Now that you’ve caught the Pasha, the general is now the Pasha.”

“What are you talking about again?”

“It’s Desaix Pasha’s victory!”

The soldiers all shouted in unison as Saint-Cyr’s chant rang out.

“Desaix, the Pasha of Damietta!”

“Long live Desaix Pasha!”

“Viva France! Viva Desaix!”

The commander’s glory soon leads to the soldiers’ honor, medals, and rewards.

Saint-Cyr had accurately grasped this point.

It’s like a quick move worthy of becoming one of the twenty-six marshals of the original history.

A very loud cheer echoed to the sea.

Ippolito, who was watching the scene from the Horus, turned his gaze.

“Wow, that’s a great momentum?”

Eugene glanced through the telescope and smiled back.

“He has to be that good to cross the desert with me. The test is passed.”

October 23, 1797.

It was the day Desaix defeated the Turks in the Battle of Damietta and acquired the nickname [Pasha].