He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 396

(396) Eugene Uses Sequential Defeat in Reverse

Is a master of strategy also skilled in actual combat?

“Sun Tzu was excellent in actual combat, but that’s pre-modern.”

“Excuse me? Sunchai? Which country’s tactician is that?”

“From the ‘Qing’ Empire in the East. And he’s a tactician from about 2,000 years ago. But I’m facing the best strategist of our time, a general who will become a model for strategic theory, right now.”

Looking ahead from Auerstedt, a small town east of Naumburg, Eugene shrugged.

Of course, Clausewitz wrote the so-called ‘On War’.

Now that he’s become a staff member of the French General Headquarters, it feels like I reaped the rewards of headhunting him first.

But Clausewitz referred to two generals when writing ‘On War’.

One is, of course, Napoleon, but the other is the problem.

“Scharnhorst, Prussia’s best tactician.”

Eugene said with conviction.

In fact, it’s premature to say this in 1806.

Because Scharnhorst hasn’t shown anything in actual combat yet.

However, the reason Prussia caught up with the military innovations that France led in later original history is entirely thanks to Scharnhorst.

In Austria, Archduke Charles, in Russia, Bennigsen and Kutuzov, and in Prussia, staff led by Scharnhorst spearheaded the French-style military reform.

Even now, the fact that the Prussian army, which was only clinging to the glory of the Seven Years’ War, introduced the division system is thanks to Scharnhorst’s argument.

However, there is a gap with Austria, which has already been vaccinated in the previous anti-French war.

They are not prepared for new weapons at all.

Of course, they are armed with imported British firearms, but there is no significant change from the late 18th-century standard.

This is even more evident when the line infantry marches in formation.

Davu stroked his bald head, watching the seemingly disciplined Prussian 3rd Army from the hill, and asked.

“Then, how are you going to overcome this situation, Your Highness?”

“Why? Does it look unfavorable?”

“Of course.”

Davu clicked his tongue, counting the troops that seemed to number 50,000 at a glance.

“Right now, our army has no cannons. The enemy’s vanguard seems superior in strength at first glance. Moreover, if what you said is true, there’s even an excellent tactician, isn’t there?”

Of course, Davu is also famous for having poor eyesight.

However, even to Eugene, who has good eyesight, the enemy army is more advantageous than the French 4th Corps.

The traditional formation, [Bogie Four], is in perfect harmony.

The infantry’s line is strict, the cavalry is small but sturdy, and the number of cannons seems to be at least 50.

But Eugene looked at the cannons with his telescope and replied.

“Unlike Austria, the Prussian army has almost no horse artillery. They are all foot artillery even now.”

“That’s true. However, they must have been careless because they thought this was practically their own territory.”

“Conversely, even if our army changes its deployment slightly, the cannons will become useless.”

Eugene smiled, looking back at Ney’s cavalry brigade lined up on the starboard side.

“Because we have rifle cavalry.”

At first glance, Ney’s cavalry brigade seems to be going against the trend in the early 19th century.

In this era, the trend in cavalry is, for example, shock cavalry.

Cuirassiers, who have increased their defense by wearing armor, or Polish lancers charge across the battlefield.

Napoleon is the one who started this trend, and the Imperial Guard itself is composed of heavy cavalry.

On the other hand, Eugene’s preferred rifle cavalry, Carabiniers, are mediocre.

Their firepower lags behind line infantry, their mobility lags behind hussars, and their defense is naturally behind cuirassiers.

That’s why, when forming the cavalry for the first time, Junot originally suggested grenadier cavalry, or grenade cavalry, which was Eugene’s specialty.

But Eugene led the cavalry, which was mainly composed of new recruits, and still formed a rifle cavalry and came running.

Why?

For a very simple reason.

Because there was a new weapon, the Boarner-style breech-loading rifle.

“In that case, shouldn’t you start the attack before the enemy properly deploys…?”

Davu’s adjutant, Soult, cautiously looked ahead and was about to ask.

-Swoosh, Bang!

Suddenly, the Prussian army fired artillery.

“Artillery! The enemy has started firing artillery!”

“Don’t worry. It’s not dangerous. It’s out of range, Soult.”

“Yes? No, still, how can you be so sure?”

Soult was surprised again to see Eugene so calm.

Not only Eugene but also Junot, Davu, and even Jomini were calm.

They looked as if they were very familiar with this battlefield.

Of course, they are familiar with it because they have often experienced it in the New World.

The sight of the Crown Prince entering an extremely dangerous battlefield himself.

“The Prussian army doesn’t operate artillery separately. They move together as an auxiliary to the infantry. Moreover, it’s less than 6 pounds [referring to the weight of the cannonball, indicating a smaller caliber], so the range is extremely short.”

Eugene convinced Soult with a very rational explanation.

In fact, the Prussian army looks strict, but it has a significant weakness.

All military traditions are fixed in the Seven Years’ War, that is, the 1750s.

On the other hand, the French army has continued to innovate while being repeatedly defeated by the British, Austrians, and Prussians.

This difference is also evident in the types of soldiers.

Although there is a shortage of horses, the Prussian army has very few cavalry numbers or types, only hussars [light cavalry known for reconnaissance and raiding].

Furthermore, the artillerymen are neglected and deployed in each infantry regiment as auxiliary soldiers to the infantry.

It means that they have no idea of concentrating firepower to form a fire net.

However, the real reason Eugene is calm is different.

That is, the silver letters keep popping up.

[Safe, Safe, Safe.]

Eugene stared at the shells being fired and the silver letters floating above them, then looked around.

“First, send out the hussars. Where is Lasalle?”

Then Jomini rummaged through the scout’s report and replied.

“He is currently approaching from the southwest rear, Your Highness.”

“Oh, I can’t use him right away. Change the order. Tell Lasalle to go straight to Jena. Then, Ney. Can you carry out a reconnaissance?”

“Yes?”

Ney was flustered and widened his eyes, then hurriedly saluted Eugene.

“Gladly, I will bring the enemy commander’s head!”

At that moment, Eugene slapped Ney’s cheek.

-Smack!

Not only Ney but all the generals were greatly surprised.

“Y-Your Highness?”

“Ney, let me be clear. I said reconnaissance, not a charge.”

“Y-Yes, I heard that, Your Highness.”

Eugene quickly grabbed Ney’s shoulder on horseback and urged him.

“Remember. I scouted you, a traitor, and brought you here. If you enter deep into enemy territory without my order here, I will charge you with treason that I didn’t ask about before.”

Ney trembled and bowed his head, then immediately turned and ran.

He seems more disoriented by the sudden thunderbolt-like scolding than by the humiliation in front of the generals.

Junot clicked his tongue next to him and asked.

“Was that a little harsh?”

“Ney is a superior version of Murat in terms of cavalry operation. But when his head gets hot, he charges without looking back, just like Murat.”

“Oh, that’s a bit dangerous. Shouldn’t you have used Lasalle instead?”

Eugene shook his head.

“Lasalle is good in every way, but he has a habit of not valuing his life. Like you, Junot.”

Lasalle originally does crazy things like occupying fortresses with cavalry in original history.

He was usually a cool guy who loved alcohol, tobacco, and women, but on the battlefield, he was like a crazy wild horse.

Moreover, unlike Murat, who only knew how to charge, he knew the aesthetics of cavalry that could control the pace.

But in the end, he is shot and killed in the Battle of Wagram.

This is similar to Junot, who goes crazy after suffering a head injury in Rivoli.

The reason why Eugene doesn’t send Junot or Lasalle to the front often is actually here.

Of course, Junot, who doesn’t know Eugene’s inner thoughts, shouted as if he was dumbfounded.

“Ah, it’s difficult to compare me to those reckless guys!”

“Well, I don’t want to be resented by Laure.”

“Hmph, I’ll show you in this war that I’m also an excellent tactician!”

Eugene smiled as he watched Junot heading to the left-wing infantry line.

“Your Highness, then shouldn’t we move to the main camp for now?”

Eugene nodded at Davu’s calm advice, even though his bald head was full of sweat.

“Yes, because we’ll have to run away with our tails between our legs soon. Tell the new recruits firmly.”

Because Auerstedt is just bait for Eugene.

***

The Prussian 3rd Army, which was just forming its lines, suddenly faced an enemy.

“Front, enemy cavalry has appeared!”

Since the 18th century, it has been common sense that cavalry cannot defeat infantry in formation.

Moreover, the Prussian 3rd Army was all disciplined elite infantry, equipped with cannons.

To make a cavalry charge as a preliminary attack is to violate the customs of the military.

It can be said that it is a sight that makes one realize that the opponent is a novice.

Prince Louis laughed in disbelief.

“Ha! This is a masterpiece. Cavalry is launching a charge while line infantry is forming a formation?”

“Maybe he’s really a novice? Hehe.”

“There’s no need to wait for General Blücher to come!”

It was when Prince Louis and Deputy Commander Wilhelm Karl von Schmettau were giggling.

“Don’t be careless, we must deploy the lines. Let’s prepare our hussars too!”

Prince Louis nodded at Chief of Staff Scharnhorst’s advice.

Although the number of cavalry is small, Prussia is a traditional military power with high training.

Also, even though most of them were light cavalry, they were also light cavalry, so they were in a state where they could fight enough.

The cavalry unit lurking behind the line was preparing to sortie all at once.

Light cavalry commander Willem shouted with enthusiasm.

“I, Willem, will defeat the ruthless French rioters and regain the rightful title of Prince of Orange and the position of Stadtholder of Holland!”

“Prince Willem, never face the enemy head-on. The main force is still the infantry!”

“I know, Chief of Staff!”

Willem van Oranje-Nassau.

Originally, he was the heir to the House of Orange, the Stadtholder family of the Netherlands, and he would have become the Stadtholder of the Netherlands if times were good.

However, after France was swept up in the whirlwind of the French Revolution, the Netherlands was occupied by Hoche’s advance.

Therefore, the House of Orange had to flee to England.

But Willem decided to join the Prussian army to find a way to regain his country.

“Let’s go, Prussian Hussars!”

Willem, who was also an excellent light cavalry commander in the Netherlands, led the hussars and sortied.

In fact, this is a problem with the Prussian army, or most European armies except France.

The upper-level commanders are monopolized by nobles.

On the other hand, if a commoner were to command, the command power would inevitably weaken for the Prussian military, where the officer corps is already Junker aristocrats [Prussian landed nobility, known for their militaristic traditions].

Anyway, it was when Willem’s hussar regiment was rushing forward with great momentum.

-Kirik, Tang!

As Ney’s cavalry fired, Adjutant Colonel Oswald shouted urgently.

“Gunfire!”

“It doesn’t matter! After all, cavalry gunfire is single-shot. Even if you have more pistols, the limit is three shots!”

“W-Wait a minute.”

Oswald stuttered, slowing down the speed of his horse.

“They seem to be reloading?”

The moment Willem widened his eyes, Ney’s rifle cavalry began to fire in rapid succession.

-Tang! Kirik, Click. Tang! Kirik, Click. Tang!

The Prussian hussars became bloodied and scattered.

***

It was at that moment that Soult, who was watching the cavalry battle from afar, shouted excitedly.

“Your Highness! The enemy lines are collapsing! Charge right now!”

“Then, our army will become food for the well-refined Prussian line infantry and cannons.”

“Yes? Uh, th-that’s. Q-Quickly bring the artillery here! We mustn’t miss this opportunity!”

From his long experience, Soult sensed that this situation was the key to victory.

Clearly, the opponent is agitated right now.

If we do a bayonet charge at this time, we can definitely win.

But Eugene just smiled.

After all, Eugene’s artillery, or rather, Marmont’s horse artillery regiment, is currently 24 kilometers south.

“No, it’s okay to miss it.”

Moreover, the operation that Eugene and Jomini devised is not a battle to compete for superiority in the line here.

“Jomini, how is it? Did you confirm it?”

“Yes. It seems that the enemy is planning a sequential defeat [a military tactic where forces are defeated in detail]. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense that only about 50,000 of the 200,000 Prussian troops appeared in front.”

“Then, when we retreat, the enemy will definitely chase us, right?”

Jomini rolled his eyes and smiled.

“That seems to depend on how well Generals Davu and Soult run away.”

Davu smiled gently, and Soult looked bewildered, when Eugene ordered.

“Good. All troops, begin the retreat maneuver. The destination is 24 kilometers south, Jena!”

Again, Eugene’s Crown Prince army began to move south.

This time, it was a high-speed maneuver to escape directly from the front of the enemy.

With the Prussian army rushing in surprise behind them.