He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 388

(388) The Imperial Marshals Muster the Grande Armée

In mid-August 1806, the pinnacle of the French Imperial Army gathered in Paris.

“In this reorganization of the military, Generals Desaix and Junot have been promoted to the rank of Marshal. However, like Marshals Hoche and Marceau, Marshal Desaix is in the New World. Therefore, a total of six Marshals will be operating under the command of His Imperial Majesty and His Royal Highness in this war.”

Giving the briefing was [Chief of Staff] Louis-Alexandre Berthier.

His second son, Louis-César Gabriel, third son, Victor Léopold Berthier, and fourth son, Joseph Alexandre Berthier, stood behind him.

It was truly a situation where the Berthier family had taken control of the general headquarters, but because Berthier was so outstanding, no one could stop it.

Because of this, there were almost no staff-level officers who wanted to come to the [General Staff Department] recently established by Napoleon in the general headquarters.

That’s why an unexpected officer dragged in from ‘Prussia’ was assisting Berthier.

Of course, it seemed that Eugene was the only one who cared about that officer.

Suddenly, Masséna raised his hand.

“I have one objection.”

“What is it, Marshal Masséna?”

“I’ll acknowledge Junot being promoted to Marshal. His skills may be a bit lacking, but the land he occupies seems to be ten times larger than mine. But, you see.”

Just as Junot’s face was about to frown, Masséna grinned.

“Our Royal Highness, the Viceroy, isn’t even a Marshal yet, but he’s governing Marshals?”

All the generals’ gazes turned to Eugene.

Currently, all the Marshals in the French Imperial General Headquarters who were in the country, and the staff who were in the position to assist the Marshals, were gathered.

Everyone, without exception, was a veteran general who had roamed the battlefields since the Revolutionary Wars.

But why was Eugene, who was not even a Marshal in rank, here?

Until now, most people hadn’t noticed anything strange.

From the beginning, Eugene was a veteran who had jumped into the war as a boy soldier, no, a boy officer, and had roamed almost all the major battlefields in the latter half of the Revolutionary Wars.

However, strictly speaking in terms of military rank, Eugene was still at the division commander level.

Suddenly, Junot kicked the conference table.

– Thump!

Junot, who had come from the New World, tanned black, growled with a fierce face.

“Hey, Masséna. His Royal Highness Viceroy Eugene is the ruler of Florida and Louisiana in the New World! He is the Emperor’s representative. Of course, he has to be above the Marshals.”

“Hmph, that’s a story for the New World. Here, his position is lower than even the Prime Minister of the Milan Duchy, Salicetti, isn’t it? Besides, I want to hear explanations from the Chief of Staff or His Royal Highness?”

“What?”

At that time, an officer who was Berthier’s adjutant cautiously raised his hand.

“Um, may I say something?”

Then Masséna turned to the officer as if he was interested.

“What is it, Clausewitz?”

“Well, that is, in other monarchies, royal family members often hold the highest commander positions without any military rank. That way, it’s easier to control the generals with high pride.”

“That’s when it’s a country that has never gone through a revolution. Our France is a country where a revolution can happen again at any time. This empire is also a citizen empire!”

Dismissing the statement of the man who would later become the master of war theory, Masséna turned to Eugene.

“It seems like no one can answer, so will His Royal Highness tell us directly?”

In fact, the uniform Eugene was wearing was a black Marshal’s uniform.

Eugene smirked and stared at Masséna.

Perhaps Masséna didn’t really think that way.

There was someone among the generals in this place who was dissatisfied.

Or maybe it was everyone who wasn’t a member of the New World group.

“The answer is what Marshal Masséna, you are showing us now.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you being rude to me, who is the Viceroy, the Empress’s own child, and the Emperor’s adopted son, just because I don’t have the rank of Marshal? But, if I had the rank of Marshal, wouldn’t you try to be equal to me as a fellow Marshal?”

Just as Masséna was about to whistle again with interest, Eugene’s gaze swept across the conference room.

“So, I can’t receive the Marshal’s baton as the Emperor’s representative, even though I am the one who conquered the Nouvelle France [New France, encompassing a vast territory in North America], which is ten times the size of France.”

Masséna chuckled and turned to the other generals.

“That’s what he says? What do you all think? Are you convinced?”

Then the remaining Marshals, especially Lannes and Augereau, retorted to Masséna.

“No, why are you looking at us? I was convinced a long time ago, Masséna.”

“I’m still not convinced. And that goes for Berthier and his brothers too.”

“Oh dear, is this commotion happening because of the stubborn Marshal Augereau?”

It seemed that Augereau, who was from the Republican faction, was the most opposed.

However, Napoleon himself directly ordered Eugene’s appointment as a corps commander.

No matter how much of a [citizen empire] system without the privileges of royalty and nobility, the final decision rests solely with the Emperor, who is the commander-in-chief.

Therefore, Augereau and the Marshals and generals would have no choice but to accept it, even if they didn’t like it.

Still, going through this process once eliminates any lingering doubts.

“Then, let’s discuss the operation. Chief of Staff Berthier, what operation does His Imperial Majesty desire?”

Masséna asked, winking at Eugene, and Clausewitz cautiously stepped forward.

“I will explain. He wants the official launch of [La Grande Armée – The Great Army] and a blitzkrieg [lightning war, a swift and overwhelming military attack].”

The moment when the so-called [Grande Armée] would reveal itself to the world had come.

***

When pronounced in French in succession, it’s Grand Armée, soon the Grande Armée, the army that symbolized the glory of the Empire.

“So, a giant army? A great army? A huge legion? I don’t know what it is, but it’s a tremendous name?”

Originally, it appeared in 1805, an army formed to invade England.

However, since England was in a state where it couldn’t invade France, Napoleon and Berthier created it with more time to spare.

It could be said to be an elite army that was higher than ever in terms of military training, equipment condition, and above all, morale.

It was also interesting that Clausewitz, who was from a Prussian officer, was greatly involved in the system reorganization.

“In terms of size, it is grand enough. It has 500,000 active soldiers.”

“Wasn’t that a similar size even before the revolution?”

“Marshal Lannes, please consider that [our] French Imperial Army is also dispatched overseas. In particular, nearly 100,000 troops are being operated in Egypt and the New World, respectively. Of course, including mercenaries and local soldiers.”

Eugene had a strange thought as he listened to Clausewitz calling France ‘our’.

However, it seemed that Gneisenau, who was captured together, was not serving in the French army.

Perhaps Clausewitz was 26 years old, while Gneisenau was already 46 years old.

The younger the age, the more accustomed to new challenges.

Clausewitz explained, enthusiastically turning over the briefing handouts.

“The military system starts with the squad, then the company and regiment, and the brigade organization, but the core is the division. Units with a minimum of 3 divisions and a maximum of 10 are organized into corps.”

Roughly, a brigade is 3,000 men, a division is 6,000 men, and a corps is between 30,000 and 50,000 men.

In particular, at the division level, of course, and at the corps level, all artillery and cavalry are fully equipped, making it a scale capable of independent operations.

It is also a military organization that can only be created with a large number of mobilized troops.

Perhaps that’s why France, which introduced the conscription system early, was the first to create the corps system.

Masséna nodded and asked again.

“The operational unit for this war will be the corps, not the army group. Is that right?”

“First is the Spanish Corps. The commander is Marshal Masséna. General Nicolas Oudinot will follow as adjutant. Do you agree?”

“Oudinot? He’s a bit wild. I can’t help it. You’ll attach Honoré Reille too, right?”

Then, instead of Clausewitz, Berthier answered.

“We will. Next is the Helvetian Corps. Marshal Augereau, your mission is to take control of the entire Rhine in case of emergency. Do you accept?”

Augereau sat expressionlessly and narrowed his brows.

“That sounds like the deployment could change.”

“The new Marshal, Junot, may go instead. Of course, it is unlikely because His Royal Highness Viceroy Eugene wants Marshal Junot to be assigned.”

“Chief of Staff, if you send me out, who will be in charge of defending the homeland? We all know that His Majesty will never give up the battlefield to others.”

Augereau’s strength is that he thinks of the entire empire rather than his own achievements.

Of course, Augereau’s weakness is that his concern for the whole is not always aligned with the Emperor’s desires.

But Augereau’s point is also sharp.

If Paris is suddenly breached, the entire empire could collapse.

However, Berthier presented a very simple alternative.

“General Sérurier will take care of that.”

Then the Marshals who had experience in the Italian expedition nodded.

“Indeed, we can trust that old man.”

“Hey, why are you leaving me out, Augereau? There are no people!”

“Hey, Lannes. Aren’t you going to move with His Majesty?”

Just as the commotion subsided for a moment, Berthier’s gaze turned to Eugene.

“His Royal Highness Viceroy Eugene will be in charge of the Prussian Corps. As the vanguard of the Grande Armée, you must identify the enemy as quickly as possible and disrupt their ranks. Is that possible?”

Eugene nodded lightly and examined the given army organization documents.

“The members are exactly as I wanted, right? The types of soldiers are, for now, cavalry, hussars, dragoons, and carabiniers [mounted riflemen]?”

“It is difficult to organize cuirassiers [heavy cavalry] and lancers. Instead, the grenadier cavalry, which you pretended not to take to the New World, will be organized as carabiniers, soon gun cavalry. In addition, grenadiers, line infantry, and skirmishers from the Italian expeditionary force will join.”

“What about artillery? I need veterans. And I don’t need foot artillery.”

During the revolution, most of the cavalry either defected or scattered, so only light cavalry was operated.

However, after Eugene introduced the grenadier cavalry, and the Boarneh-style gun capable of mounted shooting was developed, the types of soldiers were added.

The so-called carabiniers, soon gun cavalry, became a formal type of soldier.

Originally, it was a type of soldier that was buried due to being pushed back by the breakthrough power of cuirassiers or lancers.

However, Eugene did not get the cuirassiers composed of the Imperial Guard or the lancers composed of Polish exiles.

Of course, in a situation where mobility is important, it was a type of soldier that Eugene didn’t need anyway.

However, artillery absolutely needs mobility.

“All horse artillery and towed artillery wagons will be supported. However, these friends are not from our ‘Italian Corps’, but from the Hoche Corps.”

Eugene smiled at Berthier’s guarantee.

Hoche was virtually Eugene’s [godfather].

So, it is easier for Eugene to handle subordinates under Hoche, who was in charge of the Flanders front.

“Okay. Then, is the last one the Imperial Guard?”

At Eugene’s question, Clausewitz cautiously stepped forward.

“That’s right. His Imperial Majesty, Marshal Lannes, and Chief of Staff Berthier will form the general headquarters. A total of 4 corps, combined with allied support troops, will be a battlefield where a large army of 400,000 will go on an [expedition]. Please be aware that failure is not an option for anyone.”

Except for Berthier, the four Marshals and the Viceroy gathered at the general headquarters stomped their feet in agreement.

– Thump! Thump! Thump!

A total of 4 corps, an expeditionary force of 300,000 actual soldiers, was launched.

***

On the way out of Île de la Cité [an island in the Seine River and the historical heart of Paris], Junot tilted his head as he crossed the newly built bridge.

“Something seems to be missing?”

Eugene smirked and replied.

“Did you notice? That’s right, two things are missing, Junot.”

“Oh, it was two things? Actually, I only thought of Moreau.”

“Moreau’s role in this war is to check Austria and Hungary. He has to carry out that difficult mission with a division-level force.”

So, Moreau was missing among the Imperial Marshals.

Moreau is currently in charge of the garrison in the Helvetian Republic, that is, Switzerland.

However, as an Imperial Marshal, his original area of responsibility is the entire defense of the eastern side of Switzerland.

For example, the subordinate Duchy of Bohemia and the Duchy of Galicia are also under Moreau’s jurisdiction.

However, Berthier did not mention Moreau’s role.

He revealed in front of the high-ranking generals that he would only give a limited role in this war.

Junot clicked his tongue.

“As expected, he’s being treated coldly. From Moreau’s point of view, it would be better to go out as an ambassador somewhere. Wait, then what’s the other missing thing?”

Eugene smirked.

“As expected, you’re an army man. The navy is missing, Junot.”

Only then did Junot realize that the enemy was not only Prussia.

Rather, when you think about it, England has been France’s true archenemy since the Seven Years’ War, or even before the War of the Spanish Succession.

But who will stop the British Navy from launching a wave of offensives?

Junot opened his mouth wide and said urgently.

“Who will win fighting against England? Even if Nelson is dead, the British Navy is still the strongest in the world! Could it be, Villeneuve?”

“Suddenly, I’m reminded of the Battle of Alexandria. Did Villeneuve’s escape show to you, Junot?”

“Of course, I was watching hard from the hill. It’s really painful that Admiral Brueys died. Then who will stop it on the front line? Casabianca? Or Schayla?”

Eugene shook his head and replied.

“For now, Admiral Tréville will be in charge. However, Admiral Tréville’s role is to buy time.”

The reason why Eugene can say this is actually simple.

Because Eugene is the only one in the French General Headquarters who can discuss the navy.

However, even Eugene, who is a naval expert, has limited cards to use.

Casabianca is a brave general who shared his life with the Orient in the original history.

Schayla is also a veteran admiral who operated the navy according to Eugene’s wishes in the Battle of Alexandria.

However, neither of them can beat Sidney Smith alone.

On the other hand, Tréville was originally the person who should have gone to the Battle of Trafalgar instead of Villeneuve in the original history and was called the best admiral in France at the time.

The problem is that Tréville dies from overwork immediately after taking the job.

Villeneuve became the supreme commander of the navy after that.

That’s why Eugene has no intention of giving Tréville excessive work.

He just needs to prevent France from suffering fatal damage from England.

Eugene’s eyes flashed.

“So, this is a race against time. Before England can muster its navy, we must completely conquer Prussia.”

High-speed maneuver warfare, individual annihilation.

This is the essence of this expedition that Eugene obtained Napoleon’s consent through Berthier.