He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 407

(407) Karl Establishes a Sure-Win Strategy

In 1806, European strategists commonly pondered a single question:

Why is Napoleon invincible?

Answering this question was crucial for victors to dream of further triumphs and for the defeated to plot their revenge.

It was about understanding the peerless soldier who consistently achieved seemingly impossible feats as if by magic.

King Karl of Hungary nodded, gazing at the damp fields of Austerlitz in October.

“He always creates advantageous situations and crushes inferior forces. Therefore, if we wish to win, we must reverse the situation. Your Majesty Friedrich Wilhelm.”

Austerlitz is a basin surrounded by two rivers.

Naturally, it is very humid.

Fog is also quite common, and Karl, who is new to this place, is only now grasping the terrain.

It goes without saying that the King of Prussia, for whom this territory was never his own, is even less familiar.

Wilhelm frowned slightly at the unfamiliar dampness against his face and asked,

“Archduke Karl, no, Your Majesty. I understand, but how exactly do we do that?”

“First, we overwhelm the enemy in terms of troop numbers. Also, the number of cannons we have is certainly greater than theirs. Although, we have not yet observed all of their batteries.”

“Superior firepower and troop numbers, then let’s attack immediately!”

Unlike the impatient Wilhelm, Karl, who had clashed with Napoleon several times, shook his head.

“However, we must admit that the enemy is superior in terms of mobility. Primarily, their cavalry numbers far exceed ours.”

This is a significant departure from the original history.

In the original Battle of Austerlitz, the armies consisted of three factions:

The French Imperial Army, the Austrian Imperial Army, and the Russian Imperial Army.

Among these, the army with the most cavalry was none other than Austria.

At first glance, France might seem to have the strongest cavalry as the land of knights, but that is a story from the Middle Ages.

After line infantry and cannons became the main players on the battlefield, France also focused on developing infantry and artillery.

Naturally, the number of cavalry decreased, and during the revolution, the expulsion of nobles even led to a shortage of cavalry.

However, currently, the situation at Austerlitz, where the Allied forces face the French army, is reversed.

In terms of artillery and infantry, the Allied forces quantitatively overwhelm the French.

On the other hand, only in cavalry does France have an absolute advantage.

Out of the 80,000 soldiers in the French Imperial I Corps, a whopping 16,000 are cavalry.

Their cannons are relatively few, totaling around 150 even when combining all divisions.

However, Hungary, Austria, and Prussia have only about 5,000 cavalry combined, but they possess as many as 230 cannons.

In particular, among the 120 cannons brought by Hungary, 50 are new models imported from England.

Breech-loading, rapid-firing cannons.

Unlike the Boarneh breech-loading cannons, they have the disadvantage of being too large in caliber due to technical issues, making them unsuitable for mobile artillery.

However, in the current situation where the battlefield is fixed, this weakness can be sufficiently compensated for.

“The problem is that Napoleon might still try to play tricks with mobility.”

“What kind of tricks are you talking about?”

“He could attack the rear of our Allied forces.”

High-speed maneuvers and rear attacks.

This is a tactic that Napoleon has specialized in since the Italian campaigns.

Karl, who has meticulously studied Napoleon’s tactics, kept that in mind.

This time too, Napoleon will use his specialty.

So, how can we block it?

Karl waved his baton and drew a line across the battlefield from the Pratzen Heights.

To the left, from the French army’s perspective, the right flank is visible.

“There, beyond the Goldbach River, is the village of Telnitz.”

“Hmm, French troops are visible. Somehow, they seem fewer in number than in the center or on the right flank.”

“They are definitely doing that on purpose.”

Just as King Wilhelm was about to be startled, Karl calmly said,

“It is certainly a ploy to lure us there.”

If Eugene had heard Karl’s words, he might have been surprised.

Because it was exactly the tactic that Napoleon had deployed in the original history.

Napoleon deliberately made the right flank appear weak, then lured the Allied forces.

Afterward, he would play a game that would remain in tactical history.

However, Karl, who had suffered even more humiliating defeats against Napoleon, had studied Napoleon even more diligently than he would have otherwise.

Naturally, the King of Prussia and the generals listening from behind found it hard to believe.

General Blücher, the cavalry commander, could not hold back and stepped forward.

“Does that make sense? To offer valuable elite troops to the enemy? Moreover, Napoleon knows that we have superior cannons!”

“General Blücher of the Prussian cavalry, I do not think Napoleon is foolish. Rather, it is a tactic that only a genius can use.”

“No, even if he is a genius, to deliberately sacrifice his own troops! That would only lead to the collapse of the battle lines!”

Karl’s adjutants and the Austrian generals frowned at the seemingly rude attitude.

However, Karl did not rebuke him.

Instead, he calmly explained.

“That is taking the morale of the French troops too lightly, General Blücher.”

So, Blücher and Karl’s conversation was about the morale of the soldiers.

Usually, in this era, European countries had not yet fully adopted conscription [mandatory military service].

Therefore, soldiers fought for wages, not for the country.

However, money is not more precious than life.

Therefore, a tactic that sacrifices soldiers’ lives as a lure cannot be used carelessly.

The lure is only meaningful if the soldiers fight and endure, not just retreat.

If Prussian soldiers were ordered to do this, they might not even hold out properly and scatter.

However, the French army is different.

“What is different about the French? They are people too. If they know that their ruler is simply using them as sacrifices!”

“Who will tell them that? We cannot publicize it through propaganda. The soldiers are fighting for their country and will gladly give their lives.”

“Their country?”

As Blücher raised his white eyebrows, Karl narrowed his eyes slightly and said,

“Yes, the French army is an army that fights for their country. That is the most frightening thing.”

The reason Karl’s expression changed was not because he was angry with Blücher.

It was because of epilepsy, a long-standing illness.

Still, vowing to endure until the battle, Karl looked at the battlefield again.

“However, now that we know this, we also have a method.”

“What is it, Your Majesty Karl?”

“It is a tactic that the Prussian army has already experienced.”

Karl suddenly looked behind him.

“Pouring down firepower that cannot be stopped, even if they know it’s coming.”

There, the Hungarian foot artillery was ascending the Pratzen Heights.

With 50 new British-made [Pitt Cannons].

***

In the dark night, under tight security, the monarchs and generals who moved Eastern Europe gathered.

“The problem is time, Your Majesty Franz.”

Hungarian Chief of Staff, Bairöder, stood at the forefront, his face appearing grotesque in the light of the lanterns.

However, Bairöder’s words made all the other generals look puzzled.

Clearly, it was Napoleon who had come on a long-distance expedition.

Rather, the Allied forces had a shorter supply line because their base was nearby, so why was time an issue?

Austrian Field Marshal Laudon asked.

“What do you mean, Chief of Staff Bairöder?”

“In this area, around Brno, Napoleon is leading only 80,000 troops. However, Napoleon originally deployed 300,000 troops, of which 200,000 were stationed on the ‘Western’ front, Field Marshal Laudon.”

“Of which the Bohemian Legion has already been defeated by Hungary.”

Laudon smacked his lips and praised, but Bairöder firmly shook his head.

“However, Moreau is not dead. Furthermore, Augereau is approaching Vienna.”

Austria and Hungary were once one country, one army.

And even now, they are united against France.

However, the division policy itself was effective, and even now, gaps were widening between them.

Of course, if the French Emperor were defeated today, these gaps would not be a problem.

Franz II, the Austrian Emperor and former Holy Roman Emperor, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“I have resigned myself to the occupation of Vienna.”

“The morale of the soldiers will drop, Your Majesty.”

“Even so, victory in this battle is crucial. No!”

Franz II slammed the table and shouted.

“We must capture Napoleon. We must!”

All the leaders in the Allied headquarters nodded at those words.

They had to capture Napoleon.

Only then could they collapse the French Empire.

It seemed like nonsense at first glance, but a similar event actually happened in the original history.

Bairöder also responded powerfully.

“That is the correct decision. Therefore, we must settle this here before the enemy fully gathers. The plan discussed by His Majesty Karl ‘King’ and our Hungarian General Staff is as follows.”

As Bairöder turned his gaze, Hungarian General Staff officers rushed to place the markers.

-Tap, tap, tap!

Bairöder said, looking at the markers depicting cavalry, infantry, and artillery in various colors.

“This is the deployment of both armies.”

“France has deployed its main forces on the left and center. The right flank is relatively weak.”

“You have already heard the explanation about the feint. We will exploit that feint.”

Instantly, a black marker was placed at the location of the Pratzen Heights.

“This is the latest British-made cannon, the Pitt Cannon. Prime Minister Pitt gave special orders for its development. In fact, we smuggled technicians from the French Imperial armory.”

So, that was the background for the breech-loading cannon being manufactured in England.

Originally, breech-loading cannons were introduced in England in the 1850s.

However, when Eugene first used breech-loading cannons at the Battle of Cairo, and then Napoleon showcased them at Boulogne for review, England reacted sensitively.

In particular, Pitt, upon regaining power, mobilized the Alien Office [British intelligence agency focused on foreign threats] to steal the technology.

It was the achievement of Foreign Secretary Wickham and Spy Master Oberne.

However, the British army did not mobilize a large-scale army and was obsessed with [Rockets], so they did not use the [Pitt Cannon].

Thus, King Karl unexpectedly came to use the Pitt Cannon as his main weapon.

Bairöder glanced at Karl, who was frowning and closing his eyes, and said.

“With these cannons, we will launch a concentrated bombardment and annihilate the enemy’s right flank.”

The Prussian and Austrian generals nodded in unison.

“Indeed, then there will be no feint or anything.”

“It will be completely blown open.”

“Then we can mobilize the entire left-wing army and encircle the enemy!”

Even Blücher, who was known for his fiery temper, agreed, and Bairöder exclaimed powerfully.

“That’s right. As early as tomorrow, or within three days at the latest, Napoleon will kneel before Your Majesties and beg for his life!”

At that moment, the two kings who had left their capitals behind and Queen Louise of Prussia shouted.

“Good! Prussia approves of the plan!” “Austria does as well!”

“May the Triple Alliance last forever! France, be cursed!”

The shouts of a beautiful woman always stirred the blood of men.

The addition of Queen Louise of Prussia was no different.

Instantly, all the generals drew their sabers together and shouted.

“To the destruction of France! To the victory of the Alliance!”

Napoleon raised his head.

***

Finally, the dawn of Austerlitz breaks.

“The fog is heavy.”

General Hiller approached, looking at the fog that had filled the valley below.

King Karl of Hungary, who had been closing his eyes, barely opened them at those words.

The headache was pressing down on his head, making it difficult even to stand.

However, since it was not yet an era where orders could be given by electronic devices, the commander-in-chief had no choice but to direct the battle from the front lines.

Karl forced himself to hide his pale complexion and asked Hiller.

“Is there any problem with firing the cannons?”

“There is the problem that the enemy’s position is not visible to the eye, but we have measured it in advance.”

“Then, we must begin before the enemy notices.”

As soon as Karl’s permission was given, Artillery Commander Belgaard shouted.

“Hungarian artillerymen, now we will change history!”

At the same time, the gunports were preheated, and soon began to spew fire.

-Swoosh, bang!

The shells fired by the Pitt Cannon artillery regiment, the main force of the Battle of Krakow, flew through the air.

-Bang! Bang bang! Bang bang bang!

The place where the shells fell in a curved trajectory was one place.

The right flank of the French Imperial Army, Telnitz.

No matter how much the soldiers were fighting for their country, they could not withstand the cannons.

However, Karl did not stop there and ordered the operation that he had discussed with Bairöder in advance.

“Send the signal to commence the attack! When the enemy is confused, the left flank must break through the enemy’s right flank.”

Thus, Rosenberg’s cavalry and Hiller’s line infantry crossed the Goldbach River.

Although it was foggy, the soldiers advanced without hesitation, as they had already grasped the terrain in advance.

But it was during the advance.

-Clang!

As the sun rose in the east of Austerlitz and the fog began to clear, Rosenberg’s eyes widened.

“What, where did everyone go?”

The French right-wing army, the Brünn Division, which was supposed to be carrying out the feint at Telnitz, was nowhere to be seen.

-Bang!

The shells struck the empty village, signaling the start of the war.