Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Chapter 1351: Chapter 1256: Strategic Counteroffensive

As the thousands of soldiers of the Russian Army emerged like dark clouds on the horizon, Previdish didn’t expect a massive wave of fear to surge within him.

But as a nobleman, the honor made him straighten his back forcefully, murmuring to himself: “Damn it, could your courage be less than those of the peasants and merchants?”

He heard that the Sixth Army had already suffered over 5,000 casualties in less than half a month but still stubbornly held their ground here.

With a sharp whistle, a shell landed more than thirty meters in front of him, bouncing and rolling forward.

A command from a Lieutenant nearby rang out: “Prepare—”

Previdish closed his eyes tightly, raising the Auguste 1798 rifled gun in his hands.

At the French Army’s artillery position a kilometer behind him, Geiszler used his right hand to lift a basket loaded with five shells, feeling a sharp pain in his left hand hung across his chest as he exerted force.

He glanced at the flag to the south, as it was said that the Crown Prince himself had come to the front line. Gritting his teeth, he lifted the shells and jogged toward the twelve-pounder not far away.

Mr. Fan Shang, with his face blackened by gunpowder residue, loudly reported a string of firing parameters and began adjusting the elevation of the cannon in front of him.

One-third of this artillery company’s manpower had been transferred to the Mounted Artillery side — they were attacked by the Cossack Cavalry five days ago, resulting in substantial losses — hence Fan Shang also had to take on artillery work.

Geiszler placed the shell beside him, and from the nearby infantry defensive line came the voice of the Honorary Representative encouraging the soldiers, “The Ninth Army will arrive in Strasbourg the day after tomorrow, victory will be ours!”

He signaled to the Baden soldier who was carrying shells with him, then turned and ran toward the ammunition transport cart.

In the temporary command post on the Karlsruhe eastern line, Bertier put down his binoculars and said to Joseph: “Your Highness, the density of the Russian Army’s infantry line has significantly decreased compared to a few days ago, indicating their substantial casualties.

“I believe the defensive line is sufficient to hold for more than a week.”

Yes, the Ninth Army would take another week to arrive, but to boost morale, the Crown Prince instructed the Honorary Representatives to tell everyone they would arrive in two days.

In fact, if the Allied Forces hadn’t suddenly reinforced by tens of thousands from an unknown direction, the Baden defensive battle wouldn’t have been this difficult.

Joseph nodded and reminded, “Be wary of the enemy’s possible strategy to hide their strength to confuse us.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I have already asked the Baden Guard to assist with the defense and strengthened reconnaissance against the enemy.”

As the two were conversing, a staff officer, Dominique Compan, came running in with a “telegram” from the Sharp Signal Tower, exclaiming and standing at attention: “Your Highness, General Ogero broke through the Prussian Weimar line three days ago and is heading toward Berlin. Based on their marching speed, they should have arrived south of Dessau by now.”

“Great!” Joseph received the military report and saw the information about the Oreluo Army annihilating 3,000 Prussian soldiers and capturing more than 2,400.

He turned to Bertier and said: “Immediately announce this news to the entire army!”

North of Weimar is almost flat, with only the Elbe River potentially serving as a defensible line, but during this ice season, it’s easy to cross anywhere.

In other words, Ogero could attack Berlin in no more than five days!

“Yes, Your Highness.” Bertier, equally excited, personally went to the front line with the Courier.

Joseph signaled to Eman, “Please notify Count Montijo and instruct him to set off immediately.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Joseph knew well that to maximize the battlefield gains, he must leverage diplomacy. Thus, he had long stationed diplomatic envoys within Bavaria, ready with prepared diplomatic documents to rush to Berlin in the shortest time.

After Eman left, Joseph found there was a second page to the military report in his hand. He quickly turned it over and read: Mula Lieutenant Colonel pursued William III and wounded him near Naumburg…

Joseph was greatly surprised that the King of Prussia personally engaged in frontline combat and wondered about his condition now.

Then, waves of cheers erupted from the soldiers on the Baden Line, “Long live France!”

“Victory belongs to France!”

“Long live the Crown Prince!”

“Occupy Berlin!”

“Occupy Vienna!”

The dedication of the past half-month was finally rewarded as exhaustion and torment vanished instantly, with several battalions of soldiers nearly launching an immediate counterattack.

That afternoon, Joseph first arrived at the Sixth Army’s camp to deliver a rousing speech and then convened a General Staff operational meeting with Bertier and other officers.

“Currently, the main force of the Allied Forces is concentrated between Bayreuth and Nuremberg,” introduced a staff officer about the latest battle conditions. “General Surt cut off the northern passage of the Brunswick Corps, leaving the Prussian Army unable to quickly support Berlin.”

Bertier added, “The most critical threat now is the Moro Army Corps. The Austrians evidently aim to encircle them altogether.”

Joseph glanced at the map and asked, “Where is Massena’s Army Corps now?”

A staff officer promptly answered, “They reached north of Dijon yesterday, Your Highness.”

Joseph nodded and instructed, “Tell General Massena to try to reach Karlsruhe within a week.”

Dijon is only three or four days’ journey from Nancy, and once Massena’s Army sessions at Nancy take the train, they’ll arrive in Strasbourg the next day—thanks to extensive “voluntary labor” by prisoners of war, the Nancy-Strasbourg railway line was fully connected last week.

Bertier swiftly noted, “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll have the transport vehicles prepared in advance.”

Joseph continued, “Contact His Majesty Theodore and request all possible reinforcements for the Moro Army Corps.

“Once General Massena arrives in Baden, we will immediately launch a counteroffensive!”

Massena’s Army Corps comprises 45,000 soldiers, primarily from the elite regiments of the First and Fourth Armies.

And a week later, the new troops of the Ninth Army will arrive in Karlsruhe, amassing over 150,000 troops there.

France will officially shift to a strategic counteroffensive phase!

…

February 14, 1799.

Berlin.

Count Montijo looked at the fleeing crowds outside the carriage window, shaking his head helplessly.

The Ogero Army Corps had occupied Potsdam yesterday—encountering almost no resistance there—now the news had evidently reached Berlin, and people were desperately fleeing to the countryside seeking refuge.

Due to going “against the flow,” Count Montijo’s carriage barely advanced three kilometers in over two hours.

It was not until a guard carrying a “Prussian Eagle” banner arrived to clear the crowd that the carriage resumed its expected speed.