He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 118

(118) Plundering the Enemy’s Supply Depot to Catch the Double-Headed Eagle

What does it take to capture two armies with a single corps?

“Alright, Eugene. Give the intelligence report.”

The Padua Napoleon Corps headquarters held a meeting just before departure.

All marching preparations were complete.

However, the final operation was still undecided.

The strategic direction was set, but changes were possible at the tactical level.

Still, Eugene, the chief adjutant, turned his gaze upon Napoleon’s command.

“Armand, relay the news from Gomi in Milan.”

Armand, a young man always covered in dust, adjusted his military cap.

He barely had a year of military experience.

Yet, Armand was braving the most dangerous battlefields of any soldier.

Of course, he wasn’t alone, but with veteran postal corps soldiers.

Armand reported the letter from Gomi, a retired captain from the Milan Bank.

“Yes! Currently, Alvinczy is sending messengers throughout the Italian theater. In particular, the targets are the duchies where the Habsburgs or their relatives are dukes, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Naples.”

“Has anyone moved?”

“They are still lukewarm. Especially the Kingdom of Naples, which had its army annihilated after supporting us, is not moving at all.”

Suddenly, Armand smacked his lips while replacing a letter.

“But the gates of Mantua have opened.”

It was the movement of General Canto’s Mantua garrison, which Eugene had just reported.

Radetzky, the messenger sent by Alvinczy, had achieved more than expected.

However, from the Napoleon Corps’ perspective, the reason was not important.

Only the result, the movement of the Mantua army, mattered.

“What’s the speed of movement?”

“Faster than expected. They have already crossed the Adige River.”

“Is the target Verona?”

Armand, who was looking at the next letter, tilted his head.

“Th-that’s not accurate. It could be Verona, Bassano, or even Padua.”

This was the problem.

If the Napoleon Corps moved incorrectly, they could be caught in a pincer attack by the Alvinczy and Mantua armies.

That was why Napoleon held the final meeting.

Napoleon, who was lightly tapping the map, pointed to Bassano in the north.

“Alvinczy fought with General Augereau, so he must be in Bassano. Right?”

Chief of Staff Berthier nodded.

“If I were him, I would watch until our army moves from Padua.”

“Yes. Alvinczy seems similar to you. Very slow and clumsy, like a goose!”

“I don’t know if he looks like a goose. The important thing is the supply line. The enemy has their supply line north of the Alps. They will move in a way that thoroughly defends the Alps.”

At that moment, Napoleon smiled with satisfaction, as if convinced.

“Then, he wouldn’t bother moving to join the Mantua garrison. Not unless we come out.”

Napoleon had already decided.

He would capture the Mantua garrison first.

He held the meeting to gain certainty and hear other opinions.

Then Berthier scratched his head for a moment and opened his mouth.

“There’s a slight problem with Operation Double-Headed Eagle, Commander.”

“What is it, Berthier?”

“We secured food, weapon repairs, and horses from Padua. However, there is one item that we secured as much as possible, but it’s still insufficient.”

Napoleon’s eyes widened at Berthier’s words.

“Gunpowder.”

Of course, all the other division commanders were also startled.

The most surprised was Augereau.

Why?

Because he had to retreat urgently from the Battle of Bassano, leaving most of his supplies behind.

Including the gunpowder needed to fight.

Napoleon frowned deeply and inquired.

“Damn it! Isn’t there gunpowder in the Venetian Republic’s armory, Berthier?”

“There is no armory in Padua. It seems there wasn’t much gunpowder in Verona either. It seems to be the Venetian army tradition.”

“No, what have these guys been doing without preparing for war! Weren’t they allies of the French enemy!”

Venice is a member of the anti-French alliance, or rather, the anti-French alliance.

However, until Napoleon came, France did not border Venice.

So, they were completely off guard.

It seems they are only now entering a wartime system, but it is already too late on land.

Thanks to this, Napoleon could locally supply everything else except one thing.

Gunpowder.

Berthier reported coldly.

“If we don’t solve this problem before advancing, we can only catch one of them. Currently, we have enough gunpowder for one battle. We have to choose between the Alvinczy army or the Mantua army.”

Napoleon, who was dumbfounded, looked up at the sky and lamented.

“Good heavens. Not because of mobility or the number of soldiers, but because of the amount of gunpowder, we can’t even start the operation!”

“In this case, it’s right to focus on Alvinczy after all.”

“Hey, Laharpe. Do you think we don’t know that? Then what about the Mantua army? We’re about to be surrounded this time!”

The stubborn Laharpe was about to offer advice and be rebuked by Napoleon.

“What if we seize the enemy’s gunpowder?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Eugene.

As if he had predicted this situation, Eugene was grinning.

Massena tilted his head and asked.

“What are you talking about, Freischütz [a marksman; literally ‘free shooter’]? Where is the gunpowder to seize?”

“Alvinczy is moving in a textbook manner. Protecting the supply line and mobilizing the army. He must have left a garrison in Verona.”

“Oh, really? Then let’s seize the Verona gunpowder? Wow, did we lose it for nothing? Bessières?”

However, Eugene smiled at Massena, who was speaking sarcastically, and said.

“No. Have you forgotten? Alvinczy is judging in a textbook manner, and in Alvinczy’s mind, our Italian Corps is all in Padua.”

Massena was startled.

As a master of unconventional tactics, Massena realized what Eugene was saying.

Eugene lightly began to draw chalk on the map.

Verona, Padua, Bassano.

A triangle is drawn by connecting them.

-슥, 슥, 슥.

Eugene tapped the road connecting Verona and Bassano.

“So, the line connecting Verona and Bassano. The enemy’s logistics exist between them.”

“They put gunpowder in such a place?”

“This is essential if we want to secure all supplies on the supply route and march. We move all mobile supplies from the rear with the army.”

Suddenly, Eugene pointed to one place.

“If I were him, I would put the supply depot in this middle ground.”

Villanova.

A small town, literally.

Massena, who was quietly watching the scene, wore a subtle smile.

“Our Freischütz doesn’t just shoot magic bullets. There must be a reason, right?”

Eugene shrugged.

“That’s right. Division Commander Massena.”

“Information, perhaps?”

“The Milan Bank’s postmen witnessed soldiers stationed in this area.”

Eugene pointed to Villanova and affirmed.

“Alvinczy is not the kind of person to scatter troops on the road without a reason.”

Augereau frowned.

He was immediately rescued by Eugene.

So, he didn’t want to refute it if possible.

But it was too dangerous.

To judge that it is a supply depot by simply drawing a line without any other information is literally a gamble.

“It’s too unlikely.”

“No, I think it’s possible, Augereau.”

“Lan, it’s not a matter to judge so easily. Based on my experience of directly confronting Alvinczy, Alvinczy is not an ordinary general.”

But strangely, Augereau’s friend, Cavalry Commander Lan, sparkled his eyes.

“Location.”

“What?”

“Put aside Alvinczy’s skills, Augereau. Where did you fight Alvinczy? Bassano, right in front of the Alps. Why, did you fight in Bassano?”

Just as Augereau was about to panic, Lan shouted with conviction.

“It’s only because of the enemy’s supplies. You were unlucky to go there. That guy is a supply maniac obsessed with supplies, Augereau! Don’t you know!”

Lan stamped his foot, pointing at Villanova.

“So, Alvinczy doesn’t go from Verona to Bassano without a supply depot!”

“Ah, that’s!”

“Then where would a supply maniac put a supply depot? The midpoint. If possible, the farthest place from the enemy! That’s right here!”

It is the diagonal direction of the triangle.

Of course, Eugene didn’t mark Villanova for that reason.

Because of the original history.

Even in the original history where much more complex mobile warfare takes place, Alvinczy puts a supply depot in Villanova.

But now Alvinczy has seized the northwestern side of Venice.

There is no way he would leave a key point like Villanova alone.

It was when Eugene was just smiling silently.

Napoleon nodded towards Eugene.

“Okay. But the pillage operation can’t spare many troops.”

“Cavalry is enough. General Lan and I will go.”

“Huh? Wait, why me?”

Eugene winked at the embarrassed Lan.

“Well, this operation absolutely requires a confident and cheerful person. Because it’s an uncertain gamble.”

Lan is brave but not reckless.

However, the moment he heard Eugene’s words, Lan’s eyes narrowed.

He realized there was something.

In the next moment, Lan stepped forward.

“Okay! Let’s go!”

Napoleon also made a decision.

“I allow it. And we will also sortie.”

“Yes? Commander, after the gunpowder is secured.”

“It’s too late to wait like that, Berthier! Besides, are you telling the cavalry to bring the gunpowder to Padua in a cart!”

The battlefield is a place of upheaval.

Operations can always change.

No matter how weak the Mantua army is, and that’s why he decided to capture them first.

Napoleon declared, waving his arm violently.

“Our main force also moves. Draw Alvinczy out of Bassano! So, if necessary, capture Alvinczy first!”

If Alvinczy moves from Bassano, he will capture Alvinczy first.

The Double-Headed Eagle Hunting Operation has begun.

***

Although the Horse Grenadiers and Tyrolean Riflemen are moving, the speed is a bit slow.

“All troops, advance in column!”

Because this operation is not a cavalry raid, but strictly a gunpowder pillage operation.

So, sapper experts carrying gunpowder came along in a carriage.

It is the Chasseloup Brigade’s sapper regiment, which has few river crossing tasks and little to do.

Suddenly, Murat, who was moving the horse at a trot at the head, laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! This is the time for my skills to be demonstrated. It’s time to fully demonstrate my pillaging skills in Milan!”

Then, the deputy commander of the Horse Grenadier Brigade, Junot, asked with a dumbfounded face.

“You carried out pillage operations in Milan? That’s not what the commander allowed?”

“What are you talking about! It’s natural to take things from the enemy who resists our army! Have you forgotten that I’m the commander of the gendarmerie cavalry?”

“No, you’re just saying you plundered the peasant rebels? That?”

Towards the dumbfounded Junot, Murat swept back his curly hair and boasted.

“Ha! All you have to do is win, Junot. That’s the truth of the world!”

Eugene, who was watching the march of the Horse Grenadier Brigade, 1,000 horses, shrugged his shoulders as he looked at them.

“Murat’s words are not wrong.”

“Hey, young brigade commander. It’s going to be difficult if you get a taste for looting from the start. What are you going to be when you grow up?”

“You were the first to teach me that. Have you forgotten?”

It was when Eugene and Junot first met in Toulon.

Junot taught Eugene about forced conscription from the beginning.

Before Junot could argue whether the situation was the same as now, Eugene ordered in a stern tone.

“Murat, sins are washed away with merit. The sin of disobeying the commander’s orders, try to wash it away in this pillage operation!”

Murat glanced at Eugene and laughed heartily.

“Of course, Brigade Commander! Hehe! Now I’ll show you my skills!”

Although the attitude is arrogant, it is an attitude that now recognizes Eugene as a clear general.

In fact, Eugene had lost a lot of his boyishness while engaging in battle for nearly a year.

He has also grown taller and can now mount a horse in one leap.

Of course, he is still much smaller than the tall Murat.

That’s when.

Suddenly, Lan, who was driving the Pyrenees Tyrolean Riflemen, approached Eugene.

“Hey, young standard-bearer. What’s the real reason you called me?”

“I told you earlier? I need a confident gambler. In this gambling game.”

“Don’t lie.”

Lan twisted his lips, pressing down on his black Tyrolean Riflemen cap.

“There’s really gunpowder there, right? Then, I can go alone.”

Eugene slightly widened his eyes and chuckled.

Certainly, Lan has a great intuition even in the original history.

He probably understood Eugene’s hint.

The hint that there really is gunpowder in Villanova.

“How did you know?”

“Sergeant Armand’s eyes were unusual. Villanova, did Armand go through that place?”

“That’s just because he’s nervous, right? Armand came a different way. It’s true that there is gunpowder in Villanova, though.”

Eugene decided to correct his judgment.

It’s not intuition, it seems he just guessed.

Anyway, Lan’s judgment is correct in the result, even if the process is wrong.

Very quietly, Eugene said lowly, looking northwest.

“Actually, we might fight there. If that happens, you’ll be better than me.”

It’s about the Mantua Canto Corps.

Why did he judge that way?

There are three reasons.

One is the marching speed of the Canto Corps, which is advancing from Mantua towards Bassano.

The Milan Bank report that it is very fast for an Austrian corps is in Eugene’s arms.

Next is that the defenders sortie from Mantua even in the original history.

Of course, the most decisive reason is different.

It is because there is a notification of silver letters [a game mechanic providing information].

[Mantua Canto Corps is advancing to Villanova.]

Of course, Lan, who cannot see the letters in front of Eugene’s eyes, asked in shock.

“Who are we fighting? With only cavalry?”

“It’s not just cavalry. There are people going with us this time, right?”

“No, those people are sappers!”

Then Chasseloup looked around and shouted from the supply wagon.

“Ye, we’ll run hard so we don’t fall behind!”

Lan clicked his tongue, looking at the running wagon.

Conversely, Eugene chuckled and turned his horse.

Even if there is a notification of silver letters, there is of course a possibility that they will not encounter the enemy.

It is still the end of the 18th century.

The only accurate way to know where the enemy is is reconnaissance.

“Well, we’ll know if we meet. Or maybe we won’t meet at all. Depending on the enemy’s speed.”

Looking at Eugene running, Lan clicked his tongue and ordered the deputy commander.

“He’s saying riddles. Let’s go! Bessières!”

At the same time, the Pyrenees Cavalry also began to run at a trot.

-Dududu!

The column of wagons, cavalry, and grenadiers advanced.

To seize Austria’s logistics and catch the double-headed eagle.

***

At the same time, there is also a man who breaks the common sense of the Austrian army.

“Everyone, throw away your supplies! Take only 3 days’ worth of food! We’ll sleep on the road!”

There was a man leading 10,000 troops, commonly known as the Mantua Garrison.

It was Field Marshal Canto.

Originally, he was a general who had been holed up in Mantua, a natural fortress, holding his breath.

But in the end, he was forced to crawl out of Mantua to face the time of the decisive battle.

The biggest factor is Radetzky, a young officer who is marching like a staff officer next to Canto.

“You’re doing well, Commander.”

When Radetzky nodded, Canto frowned and snorted.

“Do we really have to do this?”

“Field Marshal Alvinczy must have created supply depots everywhere anyway. Just hold out until Villanova, the nearest supply depot.”

“Okay. But did the Emperor really give the order?”

To Canto’s question, Radetzky replied with a brazen face.

“Yes. Didn’t I show you the order? Until the end of this expedition, the senior commander is General Alvinczy.”

Of course, it is a forged order.

Radetzky has lived as a loyal and honest soldier until now.

However, he has become tougher after going through successive defeats, escapes, and survival.

Enough to forge the Austrian Supreme War Council’s order and drag out Canto.

He doesn’t think about the aftermath.

The key is to catch Napoleon.

At that time, the army adjutant, Ferdinand Minkwitz, shouted.

“Huk, huk, huk! Commander! This is too harsh. First of all, it’s better to rest a little more!”

“Colonel Minkwitz! Shut up! You can’t beat the French army with that attitude!”

“Are you my superior? Why do we have to go so fast!”

Minkwitz protested when Radetzky, who was only a major, shouted as if ordering.

But Radetzky was confident.

There is something that must be done, even if it means skipping the chain of command and deceiving the old commander Canto.

It is to merge the Mantua Corps with the Alvinczy Corps as soon as possible.

“That way, we can join General Alvinczy and send Bonaparte to hell. With that Mantua cannon!”

It is the 40 fortress cannons that defended the Mantua Fortress.

These cannons are the reason why Radetzky decided to bring the Mantua army from the moment he saw them.

Even by forging orders.

-Kurrr!

With 40 cannons, 10,000 Mantua garrison troops were running north.

Without knowing that Eugene and Lan’s Italian Corps cavalry were also advancing.

Towards Villanova, the northern Austrian stronghold.