He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 246

(246) Bonaparte Also Runs to Marengo

The young commander, previously known for his rapid rise, burst into laughter.

“Ha, this is absurd. Are these ‘Fool Ivans’ really pulling off such crazy maneuvers?”

Napoleon sat at the base camp on the outskirts of Milan, the same one he had used during the First Italian Campaign, and laughed heartily.

Suvorov’s surprise maneuver into Italy had caught everyone off guard.

This was the initial reaction from the French Italian [Defense Force] headquarters upon receiving the news.

Of course, there were more measured reactions as well.

Augereau, Berthier, and Massena exchanged glances and said,

“He’s already crossed the Alps? What on earth was Moreau doing?”

“It’s highly likely he was defeated. Perhaps Laharpe as well.”

“Was the Russian army that strong? Moreau is no slouch. He should have at least been able to hold the Alps, right?”

However, Napoleon scoffed and waved his hand dismissively.

“That’s not the important thing! The fact that the man *I* personally sent and selected, the one who defeated Laharpe, is allowing such ridiculous maneuvers!”

Even though Laharpe wasn’t an exceptional general, Napoleon knew he was competent.

So, Suvorov had to be an outstanding general to have defeated at least a solid one.

Yet, he was strangely advancing towards the center of northern Italy with a bizarre, almost reckless, marching style.

Napoleon had never faced such an opponent before.

The rebels of Toulon, the aristocratic armies of Northern Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire’s forces – he understood them.

Furthermore, even if he had fought against the Prussians or the British, it would have been a similar experience.

Protecting supply lines, maintaining communication lines, and maneuvering while securing bases. That was the standard.

This is the standard of early modern warfare in the 18th century.

But the Russian army alone was maneuvering in a completely different, almost anachronistic, way.

Napoleon stared at the map and tapped it with his baton.

“Now, let’s see. We’ve defeated Karl. The goose.”

“He fled to Trento with his tail between his legs.”

“But because the Russian army is threatening us, we were advancing towards Milan. However, when we arrive, the ‘Ivan’ guys aren’t there?”

Napoleon poked Berthier with his baton and gritted his teeth.

“Clearly, if Moreau was in his right mind, these Ivan guys shouldn’t have been able to cross the Alps. But they’ve already crossed and are heading towards Alessandria, which is south of Milan?”

Berthier still had a blank expression.

But there was nothing he could really say.

It was the chief of staff’s job to send reconnaissance troops to find out how the enemy was maneuvering.

Of course, Napoleon wasn’t just talking to scold Berthier.

“This means one thing. You all know what I mean, right?”

Massena shrugged.

“It means the Russian army is strong, they’ve broken through the Rhine front, and there’s no army to stop them from invading mainland France except for us.”

“That’s right, Massena. I don’t know how badly Moreau was defeated, whether he’s alive or dead, but he can’t stop these Ivans.”

“The fact that they went to Alessandria must mean they’re targeting us. However…”

Suddenly, Massena cocked his head.

“Why do you see that as crazy?”

The Russian army’s bold maneuver was something he had seen before.

It was exactly what Napoleon in front of him had done during the First Italian Campaign.

Back then, he thought it was crazy, but Napoleon won and became a hero.

So, what’s different about Suvorov?

Napoleon replied as if it were obvious.

“Well, if we lose in this maneuver, we won’t even be able to go home. Isn’t that a tactic that cuts off the retreat route?”

So, the difference is that the opponent is Napoleon.

Seeing a commander who seemed to only think about victory, Massena twisted his lips into a wry smile.

This unwavering conviction is precisely what makes soldiers so enthusiastic.

Napoleon calls Massena the goddess of fortune, but Massena thinks the opposite.

The short man in front of him is the true darling favored by the goddess of fortune.

“Are you confident of victory?”

“Of course.”

“Then, declare it to the soldiers. Just like during the Italian campaign.”

Massena grinned, his eyes shining with anticipation.

“What we will gain as the price of victory.”

‘If we win, we can get the treasures of Italy,’ Napoleon had shouted during the First Italian Campaign.

The speech, which was considered a bluff at the time, became a reality.

So, what will the defense force gain if they win this time?

Napoleon rolled his eyes and clapped Massena on the shoulder.

“Hahaha! That’s something we’ll announce in front of the enemy. The entire army will move to Alessandria!”

The cannons of the horse artillery began to move.

– Rumble!

Along with 60,000 men, the French Italian Defense Corps marched.

***

But in fact, the one with the most extensive intelligence network in northern Italy was someone else.

“Already, he’s entered northern Italy?”

It was Eugene, the general who owned a private post office bank in Milan [Banque de Beauharnais].

He couldn’t use it effectively when he was in the Orient because it was too far, but now it was different.

The messenger sent by Colot, the manager of the Italian Banque de Beauharnais, had arrived.

The messenger, Armand Ganet, greeted Eugene with a happy face.

“It’s been a while, Patron [Boss]. Are the family and Patrone [Madam] doing well…?”

“Armand Ganet, let’s save the greetings for later. Tell me again. Suvorov is already in Italy?”

“Yes? Ah, that’s right. So, Commander-in-Chief Bonaparte is also moving busily.”

Armand tilted his head at Eugene’s anxious appearance and explained.

“Currently, it seems that Alessandria, between Milan and Genoa, will be the target.”

The Italian Bank had been sending private postmen throughout northern Italy during peacetime.

Naturally, even during wartime, they could mobilize the postmen to detect general military movements.

However, it was difficult to analyze the reason for the movements.

Eugene, who had obtained very important information, closed his eyes and shouted.

“Hippolyte, the map!”

Aide-de-camp, Brigadier General Hippolyte, hurriedly unfolded the map.

– Swish!

Udine, a place once occupied during the days of fighting Alvinczy in Venice.

Eugene’s headquarters commanders gathered at the Udine temporary headquarters and surrounded Eugene.

The moment Eugene, standing in the center, stared at the map, Junot tilted his head.

“Why here? If they were to attack Genoa or even Milan, we would be in great trouble.”

“That would be the case if it were easily captured.”

“No, there’s no reason to defend it so hard. Besides, Commander-in-Chief Bonaparte took all the defenders.”

Eugene still replied with a stern face.

“The Russians don’t know that, firstly. Secondly, even if they know, they value the army more than territory.”

At that moment, Eugene muttered, gritting his teeth.

“Yes, this is the real reason why Russia is scary.”

This is exactly what happens in the Russian campaign in 1812 in the original history.

At first glance, it’s easy to mistakenly believe that Napoleon, who lost 600,000 troops, didn’t cherish his soldiers.

But Napoleon simply miscalculated the Russian resolve.

On the other hand, Russia truly spares no troops or supplies and engages in scorched-earth tactics and relentless battles.

As a result, Russia also loses about 300,000 troops.

Rather, the number of deaths is lower for the French army, around 200,000.

It’s just that there are 150,000 wounded, 50,000 abandoned soldiers, and mostly deserters.

That’s how much Russia had already established an offensive doctrine that didn’t spare troops from the early 19th century.

Of course, it may just be due to a culture that doesn’t cherish soldiers.

Then Desaix asked.

“It’s just like General Bonaparte’s tactics. Is that the old general Suvorov’s idea?”

“Unfortunately, this will be the general doctrine of the Russian army. They value soldiers more than territory, and even more so, they value victory.”

“Then, should we check the Austrian army?”

At that time, a woman’s voice was heard from one side of the headquarters barracks.

“No, we have to go save Brother.”

It was Colonel Pauline, the commander of the nursing unit.

Currently, Madame Marceau, Brigadier General Angelique, is in Constantinople, so she can be said to be the de facto brigade commander.

But she is only the commander of the temporary nursing unit under the Knights Hospitaller.

Desaix pointed that out.

“Colonel Bonaparte, this is not the job of the nursing unit.”

“Major General Desaix, I’m also a soldier. And a soldier’s sister. Furthermore, my brothers Louis and Jerome have also devoted themselves to the military!”

“It’s not about discussing patriotism, is it?”

Pauline shook her head vigorously.

“I’m talking about strategy. The enemy also values the army and victory more than territory, right? Then, they will definitely aim for Brother’s life this time!”

In an instant, Hippolyte opened his mouth wide.

“Decapitation strike!”

It’s not necessarily a logical approach.

But with her unique intuition, Pauline had reached the truth.

Eugene actually sees it the same way.

Because in the original history, the Austrian army eventually came to the same conclusion.

Eugene nodded heavily.

“Yes, Suvorov is the only one who understands that this war can only be won if ‘Father’s’ head is cut off.”

“Then, what should we do? Should we send a letter warning of the danger?”

“Does a letter stop bullets? Hippolyte?”

Eugene, who rebuked Hippolyte, jumped up from his seat.

“Junot! Prepare the cavalry immediately! The time has come for the horse grenadier brigade to sortie after a long time.”

Junot’s eyes widened.

He knew what he was talking about.

Currently, Eugene’s returning corps consists of 13,000 French troops and 20,000 Moldavian troops.

But he’s saying that he’s going to leave all of this behind and take only 3,000 cavalry.

Swallowing hard, Junot asked.

“Hey, Commander. What about the rest of the troops?”

“Desaix will bring them.”

“Ha, Desaix. Will he be okay?”

However, Desaix blinked quietly and wore a strange smile.

“It’s rather good. I’ll show you that I can arrive faster than the cavalry.”

Eugene thought that the guarantee would never be wrong.

It’s not just because Desaix is famous for his blitzkrieg.

If necessary, Desaix would probably leave everything behind to King Constantine and run.

At that moment, Cavalry Brigadier General Lasalle jumped up and shouted.

“Now is the time for the hussars. Hee-ho! What’s the target!”

Only then did Eugene find his composure and smiled brightly.

“There’s a plain perfect for fighting next to Alessandria. Marengo, we’re going there!”

It is one of the battlefields where Napoleon decided his fate, Marengo.

***

Originally, Suvorov does not come here in the original history.

“He’s here.”

Unaware of that fact, Suvorov leisurely looked at the front with binoculars and said.

He can see a corps with the tricolor flag fluttering in the distance.

Barclay, Bennigsen, and Bagration each said.

“It’s quite orderly. Considering they rushed here.”

“The enemy is tired, and we are tired, so should we start with a reconnaissance battle?”

“How about sending scouts first today?”

However, Suvorov gave a very simple order.

“Prepare the unicorn howitzer bombardment.”

In an instant, Barclay de Tolly, who usually followed without complaint, was surprised and asked.

“Your Excellency Marshal. But we also have many soldiers who were injured and frostbitten while crossing the Alps.”

“Do you want to be hit and killed by the enemy’s shells first?”

“Yes?”

The Marshal of the Russian Empire, Suvorov, smiled leisurely and watched the front before saying.

“If we delay one step, they will definitely strike first. That’s Bonaparte’s tactic.”

Clearly, it is true that the Russian Imperial Army was damaged while crossing the Alps.

But 20,000 troops from the Austrian 3rd Army have joined.

The current total strength is 90,000, including 70,000 from the original 80,000, excluding the troops who fell behind while advancing, and the 3rd Army of the Austrian army.

Tiredness is not a problem.

Rather, if they are one step late, they may be caught up in the French army and fall into chaos despite being a large army.

Then there is only one way.

Strike before the enemy anticipates it.

Before he knew it, Bagration was running to command the artillery.

“Firing preparation complete!”

Suvorov, who was smiling contentedly, raised his hand.

“Fire.”

At that moment, 50 unicorn cannons fired simultaneously.

– Bang!

The Russian unicorn [a type of howitzer] that crossed the Alps began to breathe fire towards the French of the tricolor flag.