Chapter 363 The good news keeps coming (please vote for me)
On a high ground 2 kilometers away from the main force of the Hanoverian Army, there is a small wooden table with two cups of hot tea on it.
Joseph picked up the cup without any additives, gestured to Berthier across the table, and then took a sip happily:
"There's so much good news today."
The latter smiled and nodded:
"Yes, Your Highness. I didn't expect that the Hanoverian artillerymen, in their haste, even forgot to destroy the cannon.
"We can even drag those 16 guns directly to Hanover's defense line, doubling our firepower."
Just now, news came back from the Guards Cavalry Battalion that they had easily annihilated the rear column of the Hanoverian Army, which lacked infantry cover.
The Hanoverians obviously did not expect the French army to arrive so quickly, and they fled with little resistance.
Of course, they couldn't run faster than the hussars.
In more than two hours, the Third Battalion of the Guards Cavalry captured more than 800 Hanoverian soldiers, seized all 16 of their cannons, and a large amount of logistics supplies.
As Berthier said, the Hanoverian soldiers were so panicked that they forgot even the basic operations of setting fire to the baggage and nailing the gun doors.
The French cavalry directly drove more than eighty carts with horses still tied up, and returned to the camp happily.
While the two were talking, a staff officer walked over quickly, raised his hat and saluted:
"Your Highness, General, our army has broken through the left flank of the enemy's infantry line."
Berthier's face was filled with joy, and he turned around to look through the telescope, but found nothing because of the thick smoke on the battlefield. He had to turn back and lie down on the map to identify the location of the breakthrough.
"This is here." The staff officer pointed to the north side of a small river.
"Great!" Berthier said excitedly, "If the two skirmisher companies on the right wing cooperate with the 10th Infantry Regiment to penetrate westward, we can form an encirclement of the enemy.
"Oh, let the cavalry artillery maneuver to the left side of the enemy's line and drive them south. This will ensure that all enemies are surrounded!"
Joseph looked at the map and saw that six regiments of Guards infantry were gathered on the front and northeast side of the Hanoverian infantry line, which was two kilometers long and spread out along the river valley. At the same time, more than ten cannons were on the east side. They were constantly bombarded from the high ground.
If the troops were mobilized according to what Berthier said, the Hanoverian army would have no way out except jumping into the river to the south, and the entire army would basically be annihilated.
The staff officer was about to issue an order to the herald when he heard His Royal Highness the Crown Prince say: "No, please maintain the current situation. The troops are ordered to mainly destroy the enemy's cavalry, leaving them with the opportunity to retreat to Brussels. gap."
Berthier suddenly looked at Joseph in surprise:
"Your Highness, this is a good opportunity to annihilate the enemy! Why do you want to..."
"This is based on political considerations, General. I will explain it to you later." Although Joseph was smiling, his tone was unquestionable, "Now, please do as I say."
Just kidding, this Hanoverian army is a treasure. As long as they are here, Austria, which is trapped in Silesia, cannot do without France.
Now that the Hanoverians had lost all their artillery, if the cavalry were also annihilated in large numbers, and this battle had a heavy blow to their morale, they would be almost unable to pose any threat to the Guards Corps in the future.
After all the "rewards" that should be collected are received, they can be eaten at any time.
Berthier confirmed with Joseph again whether he really wanted to let the enemy go. After receiving a positive answer, although he was full of doubts, he still ordered the herald to do so.
Today seems destined to be a day to receive good news.
About an hour later, a messenger from the front line came to the temporary command post and reported excitedly to Joseph:
"Your Highness, the enemy commander General Dill just sent someone to express his willingness to surrender." What? !
Joseph's face suddenly darkened.
Do you want to be such a waste? ! I don’t even want to surround you anymore. You don’t even know how to run away from such a big gap on the northwest side? George III will be disgraced by you!
Actually speaking, General Dill cannot be entirely blamed for this. Just now, the main force of his cavalry was chased into a valley, and it seemed impossible to come back. Without cavalry cover, he wouldn't know if he would be chased by French cavalry if he turned around and ran away.
Anyway, he was ordered to do so at a critical moment, and Karl II would be held responsible if he voted. So he chose the safest way to respond - surrender.
Joseph looked at the herald beside him and said in a deep voice: "You are kidding! How could the brave and fearless Hanoverian army surrender?
"This must be their conspiracy to trick our troops into letting down their guard!
"Drive back that guy who pretended to surrender and let him tell his commander that we will never be fooled!"
"Ah, this..." Several officers couldn't help looking at each other after hearing this.
Berthier was the first to react, leaning into Joseph's ear and saying:
"Your Highness, is this also a 'political consideration'?"
"That's right."
Soon, General Dill, who had no way to surrender, had to take the risk and choose to escape to Brussels under the continuous fierce attack of the Guards Corps.
After receiving the latest report on the battle situation, Joseph finally breathed a sigh of relief and ordered the cavalry who had worked hard all day to rest where they were. The infantry pursued cautiously and were not allowed to enter the suburbs of Brussels.
The city of Brussels is already a Flemish region. That is not France's current strategic goal.
…
"Boys, do you still have the energy to teach the Dutch a lesson?"
Ma Song smiled and greeted the soldiers sitting on the ground loudly.
What responded to him was a burst of powerful shouts: "Yes!"
"Mr. Battalion Commander, this is much easier than usual training."
"Enough for a quick march to Amsterdam! Haha!"
Masson nodded with satisfaction, said a few words to encourage morale, and was about to order the final attack on Bronkhorst. In the past few days, the Dutch had been cut into three pieces by him. More than 1,400 people were killed or captured. At this time, Bronkhorst was desperately rushing towards Brussels, trying to get the protection of the Hanoverians, but their queues became extremely messy in their haste, making them very easy to attack.
At this moment, a hussar rushed over and reported to Masson:
"Master Battalion Commander, we found a small group of Hanoverian troops near the dense forest on the north side. Judging from their clothes, there seem to be several high-ranking officers."
"Oh? Hanoverians?" Ma Song narrowed his eyes. According to the news sent by the staff, the main force in Hanover should be dozens of kilometers away to the east. Why are there officers here?
He hurriedly asked the hussar: "How many are there?"
"No more than 400 people, battalion commander."
Masson looked to the southwest again, where there were nearly 2,000 Dutch troops, and then to the north, where there were Hanoverian officers who were inexplicably approaching.
Finally, his eyes stopped on the north.
(End of chapter)