He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 199

(199) The Ottoman Empire’s Army Defends Damietta

The standard strategy for conquering Egypt, a country surrounded by desert, is simple:

“A simultaneous invasion by land and sea, wouldn’t you say? Hahaha!”

Here stands a man whose life is an adventure of fortune itself.

He is only 33 years old.

Yet, his career includes participating in the American Revolutionary War at the age of 13, earning a knighthood at 26 for his involvement in a naval battle between Sweden and Russia, and encountering Napoleon in Toulon at 29.

Furthermore, after carrying out operations in the Atlantic, he was briefly imprisoned in France at the age of 30 before staging a daring escape.

A man who has decorated his life with adventures straight out of a novel.

But in November 1797, this man finds himself unexpectedly in the Eastern Mediterranean, right in front of the port of Damietta.

As the admiral of the British Ottoman Empire’s transport fleet.

The man’s name is William Sidney Smith, brother of Spencer Smith, the British ambassador to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

Watching Sidney burst into cheerful laughter, the Ottoman Grand Vizier Ziyaüddin said solemnly.

“Indeed. However, our Turkish legions could not meet the date, Admiral Smith. Thanks to you, we were able to come all the way to Misr (Egypt).”

“Isn’t it mutually beneficial? Our [Great Britain]’s fleet will also arrive soon. Then, we’ll have a simultaneous invasion by land and sea! I don’t know if you’ve heard, but it’s the renowned Nelson! We don’t get along, though.”

“It seems they will enter Aboukir Bay.”

Ziyaüddin, considering the geography of Egypt, nodded.

“If our army fights alongside the British Navy, we will be invincible. I look forward to working with you in the future when we fight Russia!”

Sidney rolled his playful eyes and quickly turned his gaze to the harbor.

“Ahem, of course. Now, let’s deal with France first! Oh, is that Damietta!”

So, Sidney and Ziyaüddin are unaware of one very important piece of information.

The elite Caribbean fleet sent by Britain was recently half-destroyed and driven back to the Western Mediterranean.

Sidney’s fleet was dispatched a year ago.

A fleet composed of frigates and transport ships, emphasizing mobility.

In the meantime, they have been active in the Eastern Mediterranean, taking the lead in enhancing British interests.

In particular, they have been at the forefront of resolving the Egyptian issue, which is a current concern for the Turkish Empire.

They decided to take charge of transporting the legion instead of the Turkish Navy, which lags behind the European navies.

However, before departing from Beirut, Sidney only heard the news that Nelson was coming and did not hear any further updates.

Although he had a bad relationship with Nelson, he firmly believed in Nelson’s abilities.

Therefore, even while coming to Damietta, Sidney was not at all worried about the French Navy.

Because they would have either gone to face Nelson or been defeated by Nelson.

Ziyaüddin had similar thoughts.

As evidence, not a single ship is guarding the front of Damietta right now.

Grand Vizier Ziyaüddin called the commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force with a stern attitude.

“Indeed. Are we finally going to Damietta? Mustafa!”

A middle-aged man wearing a red turban, Mustafa Pasha, paid his respects from behind Ziyaüddin.

“Did you call, Your Excellency, Grand Vizier!”

“You are the [Serasker] (commander-in-chief) of this expeditionary force! Can you win!”

“Of course, Your Excellency!”

Serasker, a title referring to the commander-in-chief of the army.

A man from Illyria, modern-day Albania in the original history.

However, he is a soldier who has lived as a more devout Muslim than the Turks.

In particular, Mustafa was also the commander of the so-called [New Army], or Nizam-ı Cedid (New Order).

Commander-in-chief Mustafa nodded.

“I have personally experienced the terrors of European armies in battles against Russia. I know that reckless charges are dangerous.”

Ziyaüddin narrowed his brow and asked.

“Then, how do you intend to deal with them?”

“The enemies are weak in siege warfare. The Russian army also suffered the greatest damage in fortress attacks.”

“Fortress, you say?”

Mustafa replied with confidence.

“We can preemptively occupy Damietta and fortify it. Then, we can win!”

In fact, this is a thought that fails to consider the European [siege guns] (large cannons used to bombard fortifications).

However, Ottoman Empire army officers, including Mustafa, had all experienced it to a chilling degree.

How strong European musket units are in field situations.

On the other hand, the Turkish army is still composed of Janissaries using matchlock guns or outdated Sipahi cavalry.

So, Mustafa’s strategy of avoiding field battles was reasonable.

If the enemy they were about to face was not the French army, which had defeated all other European armies.

Grand Vizier Ziyaüddin finally permitted.

“Good. Commence the landing operation first!”

“Land! Secure the landing zone, led by the Nizam-ı Cedid!”

“Our Janissaries will land first!”

The 60 ships of the British Eastern Mediterranean fleet began to dock at the port of Damietta.

Ports in the Near East during this era were often not properly maintained, unlike in Europe.

Therefore, it is common to anchor some distance from the shore and land by boat.

The French army also took a similar approach when landing in Aboukir Bay.

Watching the Turkish army hastily enter Damietta, Sidney wore a strange expression.

Because the old-fashioned Janissaries and the new-fashioned Nizam-ı Cedid were jumping down as if competing with each other.

It was like watching soldiers from Scotland and England in Britain.

Pretending that the Grand Vizier might be embarrassed, Sidney burst into laughter and spoke.

“Everyone is full of enthusiasm. Hahaha!”

“I deliberately brought both the ‘New Army’ and the Janissaries’ ‘Old Army’.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Grand Vizier Ziyaüddin retorted, flashing his one eye.

“I believe their competitive spirit will make our army stronger. At least, they won’t disgracefully retreat on the battlefield.”

There is some truth in Ziyaüddin’s words.

The most important thing in an expedition is the morale of the army.

Supplies can be solved by looting, but morale is difficult to solve in enemy territory.

The conflict between the old and new armies, at least, ignites the soldiers’ motivation due to competition.

Mustafa made full use of this point.

“Now, then. Today, we will make a camp here, and tomorrow we will march to Damietta!”

He ordered the construction of a camp on the coast of Damietta.

Originally, soldiers who have completed a long march or movement tend to be exhausted.

Naturally, the Ottoman Empire army was also full of fatigue and dissatisfaction.

Nevertheless, the soldiers looked at each other and eventually got up and took up shovels.

Because if they didn’t, the other side, their rivals, would be the first to achieve merit.

-Thud, thud, thud!

It was just as the new and old armies were busily digging, competing with each other.

-Dudududu!

Suddenly, Mustafa, who was supervising the construction of the camp, was startled and jumped onto his horse.

“What is it? Huh? What’s that!”

In the distance, dust from marching is rising.

At the forefront is the cavalry.

However, behind them, the march of infantry wearing blue uniforms can be seen.

The ones Mustafa had seen so much while fighting Russia.

European line infantry.

Trembling like an aspen, Mustafa hurriedly issued orders.

“Enemy! Form ranks immediately! No, the infantry should build the camp!”

“Pasha! What are you saying? We must fight them immediately!”

Mustafa screamed, urging Ismail, the commander of the Janissaries, who was hastily arming himself.

“It is difficult to win fighting the French army in the field! Ismail Pasha!”

“We must build a [rampart] (defensive embankment) immediately!”

Thus, the Damietta expeditionary force’s posture was determined.

A defensive battle immediately after landing.

***

In the late modern era, timely marching is a kind of art in tactics.

First of all, it is not easy because exploration must be done by people.

Also, when conducting expeditions in foreign countries that are not their own territory, mistakes are often made because they do not know the local climate or weather.

Even if all the information is confirmed through locals, there are other problems, as in this case.

When the enemy comes across the sea.

They must stay at a distance so as not to be discovered by the enemy at sea, and then advance at the right time.

So, it can only be a very difficult march.

The man who succeeded in this art, Desaix of the rapid attack, stroked his handsome chin.

“This is absurd.”

His adjutant, Saint-Cyr, asked his superior, whom he always treated with respect.

“Is there a problem, Division Commander?”

“Brigadier General Saint-Cyr. Can’t you see their preparedness?”

“I can see it. They are thoroughly fortifying the landing zone, aren’t they? The cannons are also well-equipped, and it seems difficult to approach easily.”

Looking back at Saint-Cyr, who had once fought together under Moreau, Desaix smiled bitterly.

If Desaix’s friend, Davout, had been there, he would have easily understood what Desaix was saying.

But Davout is sadly still in France, participating in the Irish expeditionary force.

“It would have been nice if Davout was here.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“No, nothing. Anyway, since the enemy is thoroughly prepared, we must also use a direct approach.”

Desaix looked back at another general who had run 250 kilometers from Cairo to Damietta.

“Brigadier General Dommartin, prepare for bombardment.”

“How much should we fire?”

“At full power, you can pour it in for an hour.”

Dommartin, the artillery general who had also fought in Toulon, like Sidney Smith, grinned.

“I understand. Compared to Toulon, this is a very easy bombardment site!”

The Gribeauval infantry battery was lined up all at once.

It is larger, heavier, and more cumbersome than the cannons of the horse artillery.

However, the range is longer, making long-range bombardment possible.

Just in time, the enemy is digging and erecting [ramparts] without even having time to install cannons.

Shells were fired at the earthen ramparts.

-Swoosh, bang!

The iron cannonballs shattered the rampart’s ranks in various places.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

Mustafa Pasha’s tactics got one thing right.

Thanks to the ramparts, the cannonballs did not cover the Turkish legion head-on.

However, in the barrage that lasted for more than an hour, the Turkish legion was in chaos and did not counterattack at all.

Because they didn’t even have time to fire the cannons, they were busy breaking and rebuilding the ramparts.

Watching the scene through a telescope, Saint-Cyr cheered.

“It seems like the formation is falling into chaos in an instant, isn’t it?”

“It’s time for a cavalry charge. Are you ready?”

“The problem is that they are too eager. Brigadier General Lasalle has come to support us.”

Desaix smiled.

“You can charge.”

This is what Desaix was thinking.

In the era of early modern gunpowder weapons, fortresses are by no means advantageous places.

Especially for an expeditionary force, a fortress is like a trap.

Three years ago, the fortresses Desaix faced during the War of the First Coalition were the same.

The enemy’s fortresses hindered the enemy’s march, and the ally’s fortresses increased the damage.

Now, Mustafa has fallen into the fortress’s trap.

Just as Desaix was lost in thought, Lasalle’s light cavalry charged like a storm.

“Hee-ho! Now, show the spirit of the French Hussars! If the enemies rush in, shoot them!”

The cavalrymen, armed with Ferguson breech-loading rifles instead of sabers, charged.

-Dudududu!

The number is only about 300.

However, because the Turkish army was so intimidated, no unit came forward to fight back.

Lasalle gleefully fired his gun.

-Bang! Click, click, bang! Click, click, bang!

Saint-Cyr, watching the scene from afar, burst into laughter.

“Wow, they’re being very passive, aren’t they? The enemy cavalry isn’t even coming out to fight. At this rate, our division alone will win, won’t it?”

“No, there will be active units in the enemy army as well.”

“How do you know that?”

Desaix, who is a master of rapid attacks, but also has a knack for discerning the enemy, smiled politely.

“That patience is artificial. They want our army to come in deep. But, there is something the enemy doesn’t know.”

It is a common behavior for an army to naturally counterattack when attacked.

However, the Turkish army is not moving at all, even though they are terrified.

In short, the commander is deliberately suppressing them.

For example, are they hoping to be lured inside the ramparts?

However, there is something the Turkish army, which is facing the French Revolutionary Army for the first time, does not know.

“Not only Lasalle’s cavalry, but our army are all professionals in luring tactics.”

Anyway, Desaix’s division is also a group of experienced veterans who endured Archduke Karl’s luring tactics.

***

Inside the temporary ramparts, all the commanders urged Serasker Mustafa.

“How long do we have to endure, Pasha!”

Mustafa stared at the front with bloodshot eyes.

The number of enemy soldiers is only about 10,000.

We have an overwhelming advantage.

Rather than underestimating them, it is reasonable to assume that the Damietta force among the French expeditionary forces rushed out.

If so, there is a high possibility that the French army is not properly prepared.

However, the bombardment has continued for over an hour.

Perhaps the French army’s gunpowder is running out.

As evidence, the cannon fire is starting to die down.

In the past, when fighting Russia, this moment was the time to counterattack.

Mustafa, an experienced general, made a decision.

“Good. The enemy infantry is not thinking of moving. The cannon fire has stopped! Now is the time to counterattack. Use that cavalry as bait! Hassan Bey!”

“Yes, Pasha!”

“Lead the Sipahi and charge. The Janissaries will follow!”

Hassan Bey (Prince), the commander of the Sipahi cavalry, rushed out and shouted.

“I understand, let’s go! Sipahi cavalry!”

The Sipahi cavalry, drawing their Kilij (Ottoman swords), rushed out of the ramparts all at once.

-Clatter, clatter, clatter!

Here, the Janissary infantry, who had been enraged until now, competed to form ranks.

“Load your guns! Show them that our Janissaries are superior to those New Army guys!”

“Waaaaa!”

“Follow Janissary Commander Ismail Pasha!”

Suddenly, next to Mustafa, who was watching the scene, stood a young man wearing a turban.

“Uncle, wouldn’t it be better for the Nizam-ı Cedid to face the enemy first?”

Mustafa, looking back at his nephew, Muhammad Ali, tilted his head.

“That’s right, Ali.”

“But why are you sending the Janissaries out first?”

“Because the Janissaries must become obedient to win the war. Also.”

Mustafa’s gaze turned to the British fleet in the sea behind him.

“This is a battle that the Grand Vizier is watching. Even if we lose, it will be difficult if we lose because the command is not working!”

So, Mustafa has to pay attention to three things at the same time.

The enemy in front of him, the French army.

The Nizam-ı Cedid and Janissaries fighting each other internally.

Also, his superior, the one-eyed Grand Vizier Zayaüddin.

If Mustafa’s opponent was the Russian army, this strategy might have worked.

But the opponent is the victor of the War of the Second Coalition, the French army.

Also, the commander-in-chief is the conqueror of the Netherlands, Hoche, and the [defeated general] Eugene of the Battle of the Nile.

That’s why Mustafa had no idea.

That the bombardment would ring out from behind.

-Swoosh, bang!

Mustafa, blinking his eyes, turned his head.

“What is it?”

At that time, Muhammad Ali, who was still young and had good eyesight, screamed.

“Uncle, something terrible has happened! Look over there!”

But by then, the same scenery was already visible in Mustafa’s vision.

-Bang! Bang! Bang!

A total of 13 giant ships.

Three-story ships of the line that looked like pavilions were lined up in the sea.

The latest European warships, each carrying at least 100 cannons.

Along with the sound of a hundred cannons firing, Ali shouted.

“The French fleet is bombarding us!”

It was the moment when the French Mediterranean fleet, which had survived the Battle of the Nile, arrived in Damietta.