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Chapter 1201: The Great Victory at Udine

August 28, 1798.

Vipava, a small town on the southwestern border of Austria.

Under a lush linden tree, a small wooden table had been set up. Archduke Charles, adorned with three medals, sat ramrod straight as his quill scratched across his field journal: "Pre-war preparations continue. No training or movements from the French. A dull, uneventful day..."

As he finished the final word, the rapid thunder of hooves echoed from the east. A faint smile touched his stern face.

The newcomer was a major.

He saluted, tipping his hat to the Archduke before handing over a document. He opened his mouth to speak, but Charles beat him to it: "The formal declaration of war?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the major replied, snapping to attention. "His Majesty signed the declaration at nine this morning."

"Call me Commander. What about the logistics I requested?"

"Everything has been delivered to Klagenfurt Fortress, Commander."

"Colonel Milius is to clear the towns surrounding Udine."

"Order General Wurmser to seize Tolmezzo at the greatest possible speed..."

The Soča was a small river on the border between Austria and Venice. In truth, five thousand Austrian soldiers had already quietly established positions on the western bank, ready to support the main force.

Meanwhile, Wurmser led fifteen thousand Austrian troops stationed in the town of Zaga, north of the Julian Alps. A valley there led directly into the heart of northern Venice.

According to Charles's plan, his main force would draw the French attention at Udine while Wurmser’s surprise detachment struck deep into the Venetian interior toward Treviso. Afterward, he could choose to pincer Udine from the west or continue westward to seize control of Verona.

Archduke Charles suddenly recalled his humiliating retreat from Verona years ago, his hand tightening around the hilt of his saber.

Last time, he had been held back by Alvinczy's incompetent command. This time, as commander-in-chief, he would thoroughly wash away the disgrace the French had inflicted upon him!

Early the next morning, a massive Austrian army of over a hundred thousand began its grand crossing.

Under Charles's meticulous direction, over a hundred cannons were positioned optimally to provide covering fire for the crossing troops. Each corps moved across the pontoon bridges in an orderly fashion, immediately deploying into defensive formations on the other side.

However, even after two days, when Charles's main force had fully entered the territory of Udine, the French did nothing but send cavalry patrols to observe. There was no resistance.

Charles peered through his telescope at the serene Po Valley and remarked to his chief of staff, Radetzky, "The French have missed their best opportunity."

"If Napoleon were here, things likely wouldn't be this easy."

Radetzky smiled in response. "It is a pity he was exiled. That was a truly foolish decision."

Charles nodded slightly before giving further orders. "Order both wings to advance simultaneously. Have the cavalry expand their scouting range."

"Also, bring me news of General Wurmser's progress as soon as possible..."

Before he could finish, a messenger rushed forward and stood at attention. "Commander, Milius's corps has occupied Cervignano."

"General Wurmser encountered minor resistance at Tolmezzo. He says he should be able to take it by tomorrow afternoon."

Charles struggled to maintain his stern expression, but he excitedly tapped his palm with the handle of his riding crop.

Cervignano and Tolmezzo were located to the south and north of Udine, respectively. This meant the Austrian army had effectively surrounded Udine without spilling a drop of blood.

He turned and headed toward his tent. "Lieutenant Colonel Radetzky, convene a meeting of all senior officers immediately!"

On September 5, seventy thousand Austrian vanguard troops launched an assault on Udine.

Simultaneously, Milius's corps maneuvered to the west of Udine, attempting to sever the French line of retreat.

More than forty cannons roared, aiming at the French defensive lines outside the city. In contrast, the French artillery response seemed weak and ineffective.

The bombardment lasted all day. The following morning, Austrian infantry lines attacked from three directions at once.

The new Austrian weapon, the 'Wind Rifle,' demonstrated immense power. Its terrifying rate of fire—one shot every 1.5 seconds—shattered the French infantry's will almost instantly.

The French center to the east collapsed first, followed by the right wing, then the left...

Atop a high tower outside Udine, Colonel Victor lowered his telescope and grumbled to his staff officer, "They were fighting so well; why did they suddenly stop?"

The officer, still peering through his own telescope, replied, "They’re refilling their air tanks, Commander. After sixty shots, they run out of pressure. It takes at least twenty minutes to redistribute new tanks."

Victor shook his head helplessly. "What a foolish weapon... At this rate, how long is this going to take?"

"Tell me about it."

Because the Wind Rifle’s fire rate was so high, soldiers found it difficult to control their trigger fingers, emptying two air tanks in mere minutes.

Then, everything had to halt while they waited for the wagons carrying the replacement tanks to arrive.

Just then, a messenger climbed the tower to report to Victor. "Commander, the high-altitude reconnaissance battalion has spotted an Austrian force approaching from our west. Approximately six thousand men, five kilometers away."

"Well, I suppose the performance is over," Victor nodded. "Order the Venetian Corps to remain in the city for defense. Everyone else is to retreat toward Pordenone in echelons."

Indeed, these ten thousand French troops in Udine were only there to give Archduke Charles a boost of confidence. From the moment the Austrians began their river crossing, they had been under constant, close surveillance.

Yesterday, with the help of spotters in hot air balloons, the French artillery had deliberately missed every shot, creating the illusion that they were being suppressed by Austrian fire.

Today’s drama was designed to show the Austrian infantry as invincible, quickly overrunning the Udine defenses.

By noon the next day, the first Austrian skirmisher battalion rushed into the French camp in Udine, only to find several hundred Venetian soldiers wearing French-style uniforms, kneeling in terror to surrender.

Thanks to the constant 'early warnings' from the balloons, Victor had led his troops precisely around Milius's interception. By now, they had already retreated over ten kilometers away.

Inside Udine, Archduke Charles stared at the battle report showing only eight hundred prisoners. He glared fiercely at Milius.

Still, it was the first major victory since the start of the war, so he refrained from reprimanding the man. He immediately began deploying for the attack on Verona.

Once Verona fell, the only defensible position left in northern Italy would be Mantua Fortress.

Ten days later, just as news of the victory at Udine reached Vienna, Archduke Charles received a report from intelligence agents in Sardinia: the French Crown Prince was personally leading thirty thousand elite French troops to northern Italy to take command of the defense.