Chapter 323 The Guide to the Netherlands
With advanced weapons, extremely high training, and high morale support, the Guards Corps pretending to be Austrians will definitely gain a very significant advantage over the Prussian soldiers when it comes to shooting!
In this way, Bischoff, who was holding a telescope on the high ground behind, watched more than 800 "Austrians" smash his infantry line of nearly 1,000 people...
The opponent still rushed up in column. During this period, his side took the lead in firing two rounds, but he still could not withstand the rapid and intensive firepower.
Soon, Bischoff's face became even more ugly.
Because he was too confident before, he pressed the second infantry line too high. At this time, the first group retreated and plunged into the rear line, causing chaos in the rear line.
It is impossible for the line infantry tactics of this era to "stud" all the soldiers into an infantry line. Instead, it is divided into several fronts - usually three fronts, with three rows of soldiers in each infantry line. This is the most stable combat mode nowadays. In an advantageous situation or a life-threatening situation, it may be reduced to two fronts, front and back, in order to put more soldiers in each front.
This arrangement is so that if an accident occurs to the front infantry line, the following line can immediately push forward, and the defeated infantry can regroup behind them. This would prevent a single breakdown in the infantry line—sometimes caused by an officer falling out of love or drinking too much the day before—to cause the entire battle to collapse.
Lieutenant Colonel Altmann, who was watching the battle from a distance, saw that Bischof's regiment was unable to withstand the situation, and hurriedly ordered the reserve team to go up to respond. He was secretly glad that the reserve team was still left, and sent someone to ask the cavalry for help.
Lefebvre also saw in the telescope the scene of the Guards Corps' brave assault and defeating the Prussian infantry line that outnumbered him, and he smiled at the corner of his mouth. But he immediately looked at the Leo Legion behind him and shook his head secretly.
Even though our side had gained a huge advantage more than a hundred steps away, the Austrians, who were frightened by Blücher, still shrank their heads and did not appear to step forward to expand the results.
Just after the Guards Corps began to fire two or three volleys at the second line of Prussian infantry, Lefebvre saw another Prussian infantry coming from behind for reinforcements.
After some weighing, he ordered the forward guard infantry to be called back.
He couldn't tell whether the Prussians still had reserves. If so, he went too far with his inferior strength and was very likely to be surrounded by the opponent's cavalry break-up tactics - his own cavalry had been exhausted by the previous rapid attack. With a lot of physical strength, it is likely that he will not be able to catch up with the enemy cavalry.
The order given to him by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is to hold on here until noon tomorrow.
Before that, he must not lose too many troops.
Moreover, the main force of the Prussians may appear at any time. It will be an extremely difficult and fierce battle, and he must be prepared at any time.
Altmann was relieved when he saw that the "Austrians" did not pursue the victory. He quickly ordered Bischoff to retreat, gathered his soldiers and set up defenses, and only stared at the enemy on the opposite slope from a distance.
In this way, dusk fell more than an hour later, and both sides gathered up and camped.
Blücher received the news from the front that Altmann's attack was unfavorable, and he couldn't help but wonder, why did Leo suddenly become so good at fighting?
It must be because Altman underestimated the enemy and made a command error!
He came to a conclusion in his mind and was about to go back and scold the lieutenant colonel severely. Then he frowned and looked at the sky, but he had to temporarily suppress his anger and wait for dawn.
At the same time, the main force of the Guards Corps, which was 10 kilometers away, was still moving forward quickly under the last ray of sunset.
Since they have been outside the reconnaissance range of the Prussian hussars, Blücher has not yet discovered this army of more than 10,000 people.
But Joseph knew that if he continued to move forward, he might encounter the Prussians at any time. It wasn't until it was completely dark that the Guards camped near a flat woodland. Joseph and the staff officers lit up lamps and discussed the battle plan in the tent until late at night - because there was new intelligence ahead. After sending it back, tactics must be adjusted accordingly. This is one of the advantages of the staff command system. Even if the top commander wants to be lazy, the staff will drag him to "work overtime".
"Your Highness, since Lefebvre has gained the advantage," Berthier suggested, looking at the narrow Prussian marching column on the map, "we can definitely fight more aggressively."
He pointed to the east side of the town of Wensele, "You can send a group of cavalry to attack the enemy's rear, and the rest of the troops will insert themselves into the waist of the Prussian army.
"Although the losses of Lefebvre's army may be relatively large, I believe that he will be able to block Blücher's westward path. We can complete the pincer attack on the main force of Prussia with him!"
Joseph pressed the hand that pointed at the map and said with a smile: "Your Majesty General, we don't have to rush to annihilate the Prussian army.
“Even when Blucher made a mistake, we had to take the initiative to let him go.
"Actually, I have sent people to get in touch with Henry Onk, who is here to 'release water'."
Henri Unk was the conservative leader of the Southern Netherlands Rebellion. At present, he has been squeezed out by the liberal Van de Noort because of his different opinions on the future path of the Southern Netherlands, and has now almost fallen out of the core of power.
Berthier didn't bother with the word "release" - His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would often come up with some strange words, he was used to it - he looked at Joseph in surprise and asked: "Your Highness, why do you want to release the Prussians?" Are you worried about the political impact?”
Joseph put on a mysterious expression and deliberately lowered his voice:
"If Blücher's Army is gone, we will have no reason to enter the Southern Netherlands. He is our 'guide'."
"ah?"
Joseph ignored the doubts on the chief of general staff's face and turned to greet the staff:
“Our primary goal is to recapture Luxembourg, and the losses of Lefebvre’s Army must be kept to a minimum.
"Based on this direction, let's discuss the details of the combat deployment."
"Yes, Your Highness."
…
Early the next morning, Blücher personally rode through the camp, urging the soldiers to leave the camp as soon as possible. He was now very worried that Bischof would not be able to stop Leo after his defeat.
After nearly an hour, the Prussian army finally put away their tents, drove the carriages to the road and lined them up, and then began to move slowly with the sound of drums.
Blücher looked at the sun that had not yet fully risen, and was quite satisfied with the speed. If nothing unexpected happened, around three o'clock this afternoon, the main force would begin to attack Leo.
What he didn't know was that Joseph had already led the Guards Corps to set off for more than 40 minutes at this time - there were no tents, and the Guards Corps camping in the open air started marching almost as soon as it became dark enough to see things, and there were only only a few carriages. Less than half that of the Prussians.
(End of chapter)