Chapter 1198: The Cage
Three elite French army groups were set to engage in a decisive battle with the Coalition’s main force near Baden before rapidly advancing the front line into Austrian territory. On the surface, Bavaria had declared neutrality, but in truth, they had been secretly collaborating with France. As soon as French boots hit Bavarian soil, they could strike directly into western Austria, bolstered by Bavarian logistics along the way.
This was the core strategic vision for France in the coming conflict.
Berthier continued his briefing. "Meanwhile, the Low Countries face a threat from the British Army. The Flemish Republic has not yet decided whether to grant our forces entry for operations, so the 33rd Infantry Brigade remains stationed in Brussels. The Walloon local army will coordinate with them."
It wasn't that the French General Staff looked down on the British Army by only assigning three thousand troops from the standing army and fewer than seven thousand Walloon locals to deal with them.
Rather, the western front was simply not France's primary axis of attack. Furthermore, if any unexpected developments occurred, the 3rd Army Group stationed in Cologne could quickly march west to provide reinforcements.
Even if the Marquis Wellesley himself took command, it was impossible for the British to punch through the Netherlands, Flanders, and Wallonia within a fortnight. That window of time was more than enough for reinforcements to arrive from Cologne.
As for the deployment along the Cologne-Koblenz line, Berthier did not elaborate further, as the Crown Prince had just returned from an inspection of that sector.
Because the fortress of Cologne on the right bank of the Rhine was garrisoned by a massive Prussian force and crossing the river for an assault would be exceptionally difficult, this was the only region where France did not intend to take the initiative and attack.
The carriage rolled into the far outskirts of Nancy, stopping at a station to change horses. A Security Bureau official who had been waiting there immediately reported a crucial piece of intelligence to Lavalette.
Berthier furrowed his brow. "Does the Austrian main force intend to invade Switzerland? That area holds very little strategic value..."
Joseph, however, recalled the historical campaign where Suvorov attacked through Switzerland. In that timeline, had it not been for Masséna’s brilliant command—compounded by Suvorov’s failure to link up with Korsakov's army due to poor communication and Austria’s deliberate attempts to undermine the Russians—eastern France would have faced a dire situation.
Even then, Suvorov had managed a fierce counterattack in the Muota Valley, inflicting over ten thousand casualties on the French before making a desperate escape over the Panix Pass.
Joseph turned to his Chief of Staff. "The Coalition wants to sever our connection with Northern Italy. Moreover, they could threaten the Salins region from Switzerland at any moment."
As he spoke, both he and Berthier shared a knowing smile.
"However, Switzerland is nothing but mountains."
"Yes, Your Highness. Movement is extremely difficult there. And the land is barren, especially in the east. It is impossible to forage for supplies."
The Coalition’s operational plan was clearly too self-assured.
Their marching speed was generally much slower than that of the French, and traversing the Swiss mountains would be an agonizing crawl. Even if the Swiss offered no resistance at all, by the time the Coalition reached Lausanne and brought up enough logistics, the French would likely have already occupied Württemberg.
Even if the Coalition performed beyond expectations and managed to force a stalemate near Württemberg, the French would have ample time to redeploy troops to eastern Burgundy to establish defenses.
Joseph was about to continue discussing the deployment of allied forces when a thought suddenly struck him. "Wait, you just mentioned that it is difficult to obtain supplies in Switzerland?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Joseph pondered for a moment. "In that case, Switzerland makes for a perfect cage."
The roads were nearly impassable, and food was scarce. If they deployed forces in advance to encircle the Coalition there, they could easily turn the region into a killing field. Historically, if not for Suvorov’s luck and Masséna’s lack of preparation, the Russian army would have been completely annihilated in Switzerland.
Berthier clearly followed the line of thought and nodded immediately. "Indeed, Your Highness. I will draft a corresponding operational plan as soon as possible."
He then moved on to the status of their allies. "News arrived from Madrid last month. The army they are sending to the Rhineland will be reduced to ten thousand men. As you know, the Portuguese attacked New Granada, and the Spanish were forced to divert eight thousand soldiers to South America.
"This might also affect the siege of Gibraltar."
Joseph wasn't particularly bothered by this. Even if the Spanish army arrived, they would mostly be used to guard supply convoys; a few thousand fewer wouldn't change much.
He gave a simple instruction. "Tell them to divert four thousand men to reinforce Gibraltar instead. That location is far more effective at pinning down the British."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Berthier continued. "Modena, Milan, Florence, and Genoa have sent a combined force of fourteen thousand. Following your orders, they have been kept near Mantua."
He hesitated slightly. "However, regarding the troops from Sardinia and Parma... isn't that a bit of a waste?"
Sardinia’s ten thousand Royal Guards remained in Ancona, while another four thousand were transferred to Ferrara to be integrated with the Modenese forces. These were all locations far removed from the actual battlefield.
As for Parma’s three thousand troops, they had secretly returned to their home country.
Joseph shook his head with a smile. "Leave the matter of Sardinia to the Security Bureau; you just need to coordinate with them. The Parma troops are there specifically to keep an eye on Sardinia."
In reality, the French engineering corps that was ostensibly "building a bridge over the Olona River" near Milan was actually a standard Voltigeur regiment, reinforced by two companies of cavalry.
Joseph didn't care about the meager military strength of Sardinia and Parma; maintaining stability within Northern Italy was his top priority. Should Sardinia show any sign of treachery, the French "engineers" and the Parma Royal Guard would strike instantly.
Around noon, Joseph’s carriage arrived at the outskirts of the Nancy Industrial Development Zone.
Dozens of people immediately came forward to greet him, primarily high-ranking executives from the Steam Locomotive Manufacturing Company and the United Steam Engine Company.
Music soon swelled from the surrounding area, drawing the attention of the crowds who had gathered to marvel at the train.
Someone recognized the Crown Prince’s crest on the carriage and shouted excitedly, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is here!"
"It really is his carriage!"
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
Since this was a public trial run, roughly seven or eight hundred journalists and citizens had gathered. Colonel Clauzel hurried to instruct the personal guard to maintain order.
Joseph stepped down from the carriage, first greeting Trevithick, Murdoch, and the others. Then, with practiced ease, he climbed onto the blackened locomotive and addressed the crowd in a loud voice.
"Today, you are all about to witness what may be the most important historical moment in centuries!"
He gestured to the machine beneath his feet. "This engine will bring a completely new way of life to all of us, and along with it, immense wealth!"
He climbed back down and signaled to Trevithick. "Please, begin."
The designer and his assistant climbed into the cab and began shoveling coal into the boiler.
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