He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 406

(406) To Prepare for the All-Out War, His Majesty Deploys a Diversionary Tactic

Time turns back briefly to 10 days prior.

“Incredibly, France is currently at a disadvantage, Your Highness.”

The victory of a battle does not necessarily guarantee the victory of the war.

Eighty kilometers northwest of Jena, in Lützen, Eugene is receiving a war situation report.

Although they literally annihilated 50,000 Prussian troops, it doesn’t mean the main force of the Prussian army has disappeared.

The overall war situation is not very favorable for France either.

Chief of Staff Jomini, who had been organizing the information sent from Surte, clicked his tongue.

“Especially at sea, Britain is launching an all-out offensive.”

“Couldn’t Admiral Treville stop them?”

“As you know, we were completely defeated in the Battle of Bordeaux.”

Looking at the report that Sidney Smith of Britain had defeated Treville of France off the coast of Bordeaux, Eugene tapped the desk in the headquarters barracks.

In fact, in the original history, the Battle of Trafalgar should have taken place last year.

Moreover, even with the alliance of the French Empire and Spain, they would have suffered an even more devastating defeat.

Wouldn’t this be a much better result in comparison?

Knowing the worst, Eugene calmly asked again.

“What about Admiral Treville’s life?”

“It seems he is asking to be court-martialed [a military trial]. Of course, His Imperial Majesty’s army is too fast, so the envoy with the letter hasn’t even arrived yet.”

“That’s too hasty. Either way, if we win this battle, it won’t matter, and if we lose, we won’t have the luxury of dealing with the admiral.”

Eugene chuckled and reaffirmed the most important fact.

“By the way, how many ships of the line are left?”

Ships of the line, the kings of the sea with three decks and over 100 cannons, were the capital ships of the era.

Of course, thanks to Eugene meeting Fulton in the New World, steamships have been launched.

However, steam engines are not yet efficient enough to become the mainstream.

Also, the war has escalated too much to experiment with ironclad ships.

Therefore, the number of ships of the line is still synonymous with naval power.

“The Atlantic Fleet is almost half destroyed. Out of a total of 32 ships, 17 have taken refuge in La Rochelle.”

“Bordeaux is intact, right?”

“Even Sidney Smith wouldn’t dare to crawl up the mouth of the Dordogne River. The cannons installed on both banks will fire.”

The crucial difference from Trafalgar is this.

Originally, in the original history, Nelson fought the enemy fleet in front of a port facing the sea.

On the other hand, Bordeaux is clearly a city located at the mouth of the Dordogne River.

Naturally, to burn the port, one must withstand the coastal guns located on both banks of the river.

Sidney, not having overwhelming power, ended up only half destroying the fleet.

Of course, even so, based on the army standard where a 20% loss is considered annihilation, the fleet has already disintegrated.

Despite the dismal news, Eugene still nodded calmly.

“Good. Then, if we win this battle, there won’t be a big problem in restoring the navy. The Mediterranean Fleet is intact, after all.”

“Spain has joined forces with Britain, though? Who knows when Sidney will intercept us in the Mediterranean?”

“Let’s leave that to the Mediterranean Fleet. We need to choose our marching route.”

Suddenly, Eugene’s gaze turned to the map on the desk.

“Either attack Berlin, or head towards His Majesty’s battlefield.”

Napoleon, in the original history, was said to have been obsessed with maps.

This map obsession was so contagious that, in Napoleon’s army, only Murat didn’t look at maps.

Even Eugene, with the grace of the Silver Letter, cannot grasp detailed terrain at a glance.

So, in an era without radar, a great general is one who has the map in their head.

Davu, Soult, and Jomini looked at the map beside him and quickly advised.

“Wouldn’t it be better to attack Berlin? Of course, I’m not suggesting a siege, but rather to put pressure on them.”

“Our army has already won at Jena. A complete victory, too. We’ve done our part as the vanguard.”

“Well, shouldn’t the rest be taken care of by His Majesty, Augereau, and Moreau? Come to think of it, I don’t know where Moreau is or what he’s doing. Augereau seems to be heading towards Vienna very slowly.”

Eugene listened to the three soldiers’ opinions and smiled subtly.

“Indeed, that’s the conventional wisdom, isn’t it.”

Davu, needless to say, is one of Napoleon’s special generals in the original history.

Soult, although lacking in strategic insight, can be considered an A-class general.

Jomini may be the best tactical theorist in Europe at the time.

All three have the same opinion.

Invade Berlin.

However, do not occupy it, only put pressure on it.

Eugene didn’t exactly learn the tactical orthodoxy of this era at the military academy, so he needs the help of his aides.

Even just marching, if Eugene were to proceed alone, there would be gaps somewhere.

Nevertheless, the conclusion of the three aides, who are the epitome of orthodoxy, does not please Eugene.

Suddenly, Chief Adjutant Hippolyte, who was watching Eugene, rolled his eyes.

“Um, Your Highness? I think it’s better to follow the wise experience of the generals in times like these?”

“You think the same way, too? Hippolyte?”

“No, I’m not a genius like Your Highness, nor do I know as much about tactics as the generals. But I have a sense from watching from the side.”

Hippolyte clicked his tongue and shrugged.

“Somehow, it feels like our King is going to use a very dangerous tactic.”

The officers inside the corps commander’s tent were startled.

Could it be that His Majesty is not thinking of invading Berlin?

But they have already defeated the enemy’s vanguard.

Even if they lack troops, it is natural to put pressure on the capital.

However, Eugene smiled and agreed with Hippolyte’s words.

“Indeed, my chief adjutant knows me best. That’s right. I’m thinking of marching south.”

Then Jomini, Davu, and Soult opened their mouths wide.

“Good heavens! Your Highness, then we will be advancing with the enemy behind us!”

“This time, it’s not as simple as the advance into southern Germany last time. If we detour, we’ll be late, and if we rush, we’ll have to pass through enemy territory.”

“In terms of supply, we are not prepared at all!”

In fact, the march is not something to be decided based on the commander’s mood.

The daily marching distance, the soldiers’ supply status, food and clothing, and reconnaissance must be comprehensively considered.

Of course, during the Revolutionary Wars, France filled its supplies by looting locally.

However, in the original history, the Austrian Empire, impressed by this French-style march, attempted a looting march and failed miserably.

However, Eugene shook his head firmly.

“Everyone will think that way. Our allies, and our enemies. That’s why it’s meaningful. Lasalle, Ney!”

Suddenly, two cavalrymen sitting on one side of the tent stood up at Eugene’s command.

“Prepare yourselves. You two will assist me.”

“Oh, that’s easy, but what are you going to do?”

“I will follow whatever you command!”

Eugene smiled brightly.

“It’s simple. Independent cavalry march. You’ve done it a lot, so you’re used to it, right?”

So, they’re going to mobilize only the cavalry again.

***

The one defending Berlin, the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia, is Duke Hohenlohe.

“King Eugene’s army is currently advancing towards Berlin!”

In fact, Duke Hohenlohe is the successor of a family that fought against Prussia during the Seven Years’ War.

However, after the war, the Duke was impressed by Frederick the Great and chose the Prussian military path.

Later, he made contributions in the War of the Bavarian Succession and rose to the position of Prussian Infantry General.

He was especially known for his bravery among the Prussian Junker [Prussian aristocracy] class officers and mercenary soldiers.

That’s why Prussia entrusted him with the defense of the capital in this moment of dire crisis.

However, a brave general is not necessarily good at tactical discernment.

Receiving reports on the movements of the French 4th Corps, which was advancing towards Berlin, Duke Hohenlohe snorted.

“Hmph, Scharnhorst’s prediction was wrong! Freischütz [a legendary marksman in German folklore] is blinded by the glory of capturing the capital after all!”

“What should we do, Your Grace? Should we capture Freischütz at this opportunity?”

“Unfortunately, that’s not my job. If we fall, Prussia has no future.”

Duke Hohenlohe replied to Chief of Staff Massenbach and narrowed his eyes.

“Send reconnaissance to all possible advance routes. Their destination is clear. Berlin, and Potsdam! If we know the enemy’s objective, we can surely stop them!”

This judgment would be orthodox in the old era.

However, in the 19th century, when the army became the core of war execution, even orthodoxy is not orthodox.

Nevertheless, the Prussian 2nd Corps staff, including Massenbach, agreed.

However, Colonel Massenbach, the top staff member of the Prussian Quartermaster Department, focused on a different point.

“But, there is something strange.”

“What is it?”

“The Saxon Duke’s army is not trying to join us.”

Massenbach cautiously asked the Duke.

“Could it be that they have gone over to the French?”

Duke Hohenlohe snorted and replied.

“The Saxon Duke is capable of that. It doesn’t matter. When the time of victory comes, the Saxon Duke will pay the price!”

Considering the peculiar position of the Duchy of Saxony, it is by no means impossible.

Especially after Prussia’s defeat at Jena, Saxony’s movements have not been consistent at all.

However, since Prussia’s military power is still intact, they will not be able to turn pro-French.

Suddenly, Duke Hohenlohe stared at the map and muttered.

“Come, Marksman. This Potsdam will be your grave!”

Potsdam, a palace city located south of Berlin, was preparing for a desperate defense by the Prussian garrison.

***

So, what is the Saxon Duke doing?

“Thank you for seeing me off, Your Grace.”

He is meeting Eugene near the capital, on the marching route.

Duke Frederick Augustus of Saxony looked around with anxious eyes.

He seemed afraid of encountering Prussian spies or scouts.

Of course, Prussia, having sent all its main forces to Moravia, would not have the capacity to do so.

The Duke swallowed hard and excused himself to Eugene.

“I am sorry. Despite your repeated warnings, I made a foolish choice.”

“Originally, the neighborhood bully is scarier than distant bandits.”

“Ahem! No, the, the analogy is a bit…”

Eugene smiled at the flustered Duke.

“Wouldn’t that be the case for the German princes? But Your Grace, think carefully. Only Emperor Napoleon can give you the throne in Europe.”

It sounds absurd at first glance.

The Duchy of Saxony joined the Confederation of the Rhine [a group of German states allied with Napoleon] and then withdrew, secretly colluding with Prussia and still leaking information.

And yet, he’s giving them the throne?

It’s an absurd thing, but it actually happened in the original history.

Rather than Napoleon being generous, it was because he elevated Saxony, Weimar, and Württemberg to kingdoms to check Austria and Prussia.

Of course, unlike the original history, Austria was divided, but there are still many factors that would elevate Saxony to a kingdom.

For example, checking the Russian Empire, which could turn into an enemy at any time.

The Saxon Duke, who could not see through this, frowned.

“At this point?”

“His Majesty is generous. In fact, if it weren’t for this war, he might have returned the imperial throne to Austria, right?”

“Hehe, I can’t believe it. But, I believe in you.”

The Saxon Duke bowed to Eugene, the victor of Jena.

“Please, save our Saxony.”

Eugene looked at the Saxon Duke, nodded, and turned his horse.