Chapter 696 Exercise
The crowd in the tent was furious, but some were silent. These people knew the kingdom's current predicament.
Paul pounded the table and shouted loudly: "As long as the king does not issue a formal ceasefire order, we will continue to fight."
The tent became slightly quiet.
"Then I propose that Sir Schroeder continue to serve as the battlefield commander. Does anyone have any objections?"
Everyone looked at each other, but no one raised any objection in the end.
The only time the Austrian army won a head-to-head battle was when your troops fought, so you do whatever you say.
"Everyone, since the northwest army's combat methods and weapons are relatively new, I have decided to arrange an exercise tomorrow for everyone to observe, so as to avoid accidentally injuring each other after a real battle."
Everyone is interested. Many troops retreated here after the battle at Silver Moon Castle and have not seen with their own eyes how the Northwesterners defeated the orcs.
I just heard from those who fought with the Arda army that day that the Northwesterners used a large number of tubular weapons, some large and some small, which could spit out deadly flames and activate metal projectiles to kill the enemy. people.
It sounds like the effect of long-range weapons such as ballistas and bows, but the range and power are far beyond. When activated, the sound is as loud as thunder, and the battlefield is filled with smoke.
Time soon came to the next day.
On the land in front of Silver Moon Fortress, cannons rumbled and gun smoke filled the air. Two battalions of Arda troops lined up in neat formation, marching towards the assumed target to the beat of drums.
Under the command of the semaphore, they practiced many tactical subjects such as horizontal formation, column formation, hollow square formation, rotation firing, salvo firing, bayonet charge, infantry and artillery coordination, etc.
The power created by gunpowder weapons is eye-opening. The tactical literacy and excellent discipline displayed by the Arda soldiers shocked many experts.
It is easy for the troops to form a neat formation when they are stationary, but it is not easy to maintain a neat formation while advancing.
What’s even more exaggerated is that they can also quickly change their formations, as if every soldier knows where they should stand from the beginning. Only rigorous training day after day, year after year can achieve this level.
This is very useful. For the general army, changing formations before battle means huge risks. This will cause confusion. Officers cannot find soldiers, soldiers cannot see officers, and the time drags on for too long. I thought there was something wrong with you, and the enemy often likes to attack at this time, so many generals will not easily change their formation once they are set up.
Looking at the serious expressions on the faces of the spectators, the corners of Paul's mouth raised slightly. The "mobility" ability of Arda's army on the battlefield far exceeded the average level of this era. This was one of the things he was proud of.
A long time ago, when he learned about the famous battles with great influence in history, he would always find it puzzling - the direct tactical factors that determine the victory or defeat of the battle often seemed very simple.
During the Battle of Bibract in the Gallic Conquest, the Roman army deployed its usual three-line formation to fight the Helvetii. However, after repelling the opponent's first round of offensive, a large number of Boii and Turingi reinforcements suddenly appeared on the flanks. At such a critical juncture, Caesar decisively ordered all the squadrons of the third line to march sideways. The entire third line was expanded and turned counterclockwise 90° to face the new threat.
During the Battle of Bladenfeld in the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish army's allies, the Saxons, dispersed in a hurry. Not only did Gustavus II lose one-third of his strength, but his left wing was also completely destroyed. When exposed, he immediately ordered the left wing troops to rotate sideways at right angles to form a new line of defense to cover the center, and personally led two infantry regiments to rush to the left wing.
Caesar and Gustavus II are both famous generals praised by the world, and the above two examples are footnotes to their status as famous generals. But at that time, Paul was very confused. Is this it?
Isn’t it just to redeploy some soldiers? When I play the Total War series of games myself, one swipe of the mouse is all it takes.
It wasn't until he personally organized troops and personally commanded them in this life that he realized the meaning of what seemed to be very simple tactical actions before.
So he placed special emphasis on discipline, training his soldiers at a high intensity that was difficult for people of this era to understand. He had to go out for drills five days a week, and exerted a subtle influence on daily life through dress, housekeeping, etc., and finally In exchange for today's results.
“No flesh and blood in the world can resist this kind of power!” The Knights of Renteria, who had fought side by side with the Arda army before, looked at the firing cannons infatuatedly, while shouting to their companions Introducing this terrifying weapon.
“When faced with the projectiles it spits out, no matter how thick the armor you wear, it is no different than applying a layer of cream.”
“I have seen it with my own eyes. A group of orc soldiers advancing in column were killed by one shot."
In fact, he didn't need to emphasize it too much. The ravines and mud splashed by the cannons on the ground in the distance had already made everyone frown.
“No wonder the Grameen family, which has always been unknown, has suddenly emerged in recent years and even married into the royal family.” Many people think they have found the answer.
The drill lasted all morning. Near noon, the onlookers dispersed with their own concerns. They were deeply impressed by the performance of Arda's army.
"Why don't you let me meet Princess Catherine?"
Paul was questioned by his mother as soon as he returned to his residence. When the departure was about to begin, Mariana sent away her second son Nathan, but she followed the army on the grounds of "confirming that the child had the ability to protect himself." In fact, she was indeed uneasy and opposed Paul's meddling with her. Things outside the territory.
"How should I explain your existence to her?"
Paul spread his hands, feeling helpless.
"Okay!" Mariana didn't waste much time on this topic. After all, it was just a question. Apart from her son's inner circle, she didn't want her identity to be exposed prematurely. Catherine is now just Paul. His fiancée, they met not long ago.
“I remember you said you didn’t bring much gunpowder, why was it wasted here?”
Mariana has been exposed to many new things in the past few days, and was surprised that her son could invent such a What weird things, but they are often very useful.
"Of course it's a shock!" Paul waved his hand, "We're about to fight the orcs, and I don't want to be surrounded by guys who are acting in secret. On the other hand, it's also to give them some confidence."
Marianna Diandian Head, for her own sake, she previously thought that her son's army was no different from other lords' armies, but the march along the way and today's drill made her change her mind.
In the martial Gabera Empire, she once thought she had seen the strongest army among the human kingdoms, but now it seemed that the Alda army was superior in appearance.