Chapter 1283: A Ruthless Confrontation
Of course, this reporting order was specifically arranged by Joseph.
He had invited high-ranking officials from Bavaria, Württemberg, Würzburg, and other states to a meeting today, ensuring they "happened" to arrive just as Berthier was reporting military intelligence to him. This was all to boost their confidence with a series of military victories, encouraging them to send more troops.
Indeed, France was now rallying a coalition of allied nations to "gang up" on Britain, Austria, and Russia.
Apart from Prussia, the North German states had already deployed over 35,000 troops.
This didn't even account for Hesse, which had just concluded its civil war. If Hesse joined the fight, it could contribute at least 15,000 more soldiers.
Joseph smiled, gesturing for Theodor and the others to drink their tea, then openly instructed Berthier, "Order General Masséna to launch a full-scale assault on Passau tomorrow morning, to coordinate with Soult's Corps."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Theodor immediately turned to Joseph. "Your Highness, I hope to have the Derenberg Corps participate in this offensive."
The war was clearly nearing its end. If they didn't secure some military achievements now, they would have little say when the spoils of victory were divided.
Karl Eugen immediately followed suit, declaring loudly, "Your Highness, I will personally lead my troops to join the assault on Passau!"
The Count of Würzburg also rose to his feet. "Your Highness, our army will also..."
...
On the outskirts of St. Pölten, 55 kilometers west of Vienna.
General Bogusławski frowned, gazing at the opposite bank of the Traisen River, then turned to Soult. "General, why are we wasting time here... I mean, with our forces, we could capture Vienna in two or three days."
Indeed, the Franco-Polish allied forces had first occupied Prague without a single casualty. The following day, they encountered the Austrian Milius' Corps, which had arrived as reinforcements.
After swiftly annihilating this relief force of fewer than 20,000 men, Soult led his army rapidly south. Encountering no resistance along the way, they reached the gates of Vienna in less than a week.
Soult's army of over 100,000 troops surrounded Vienna and began a fierce bombardment.
Just as the Polish soldiers eagerly prepared to charge, Soult suddenly moved his main forces westward to the Traisen River overnight, leaving only Gérard with over 20,000 men to continue the "fierce assault" on Vienna.
Before Soult could respond, Kościuszko stated sternly, "General Bogusławski, please never question a commander's deployment at any time."
For years, he had campaigned across the continent, following the plans provided by the French General Staff, which allowed him to preserve Poland amidst the encirclement by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and brought him to this opportunity, standing in the heartland of Austria today.
This instilled in him an almost devout trust in the French generals' command abilities.
Bogusławski hurriedly nodded awkwardly. "I apologize, General."
Soult smiled and waved his hand. "I completely understand your sentiments, but please trust me, some objectives are far more important than the city of Vienna."
"You mean?"
"You know, Austria's main forces are still in Passau, numbering over 200,000 men," Soult said. "In fact, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was never particularly concerned about Vienna from the start. His orders to me were to disarm Austria!"
Indeed, Joseph understood clearly that while a capital city was a symbol of the nation, occupying it didn't necessarily mean conquering the entire country.
Historically, Napoleon had cleanly captured Vienna, but Franz II immediately fled to eastern Austria to continue his stubborn resistance.
It wasn't until he decisively crushed the Russo-Austrian Coalition Forces in the famous Battle of Austerlitz that Franz II was forced to sign the Treaty of Pressburg.
Even if the French army were to take Vienna now, the high cost of maintaining order would make long-term occupation unfeasible, rendering it unnecessary to make it a strategic priority.
Destroying the enemy's living forces always remained the highest military principle.
As long as Archduke Charles's main forces could be crushed, Vienna would be theirs for the taking.
Thus, Soult chose to wait for the Austrian army in St. Pölten.
He knew it would be difficult for his army of over 100,000 to remain undiscovered deep in Austrian territory, but he didn't care. Archduke Charles had no choice; driven by Vienna's desperate pleas, he would have to face Soult in a decisive battle here.
Soult had already secured the advantageous terrain on the east bank of the Traisen River and had prepared multiple layers of defensive positions in advance. Most of the Austrian army would be mowed down as they attempted to cross the river.
Two days later.
Murat galloped up to Soult, exclaiming excitedly, "General, the enemy has finally arrived! Their vanguard has just passed Ober-Grafendorf, numbering around 40,000 men. Another 70,000 are near Mank."
Soult merely nodded calmly, telling an orderly nearby, "Have everyone execute the battle plan."
"Yes, General!"
This was a battle with few subtleties; both sides knew what the other intended. All that remained was a duel of sheer strength.
At 10 AM, Archduke Charles, his brow deeply furrowed, gave the order to advance.
He had received intelligence from various locations, confirming that at least 120,000 Franco-Polish allied troops awaited him on the opposite riverbank.
He had brought only 150,000 men this time. When he received news of the Ore Mountains falling, Masséna was launching a fierce offensive along a several-dozen-kilometer front of the Danube River—the French forces, combined with troops from Prussia, Bavaria, and other nations, totaled nearly 300,000!
This forced him to leave 120,000 troops with Wurmser, the minimum required to hold Passau.
As low horn calls echoed from all sides, Archduke Charles realized his hand, gripping his sword hilt, was trembling slightly.
This battle would be extremely difficult, but he had to commit all his troops immediately, otherwise, Vienna could fall at any moment.
Half an hour later, a heart-pounding barrage of cannon fire erupted from the east.
Archduke Charles involuntarily closed his eyes. He didn't need to see to imagine countless Austrian soldiers struggling to cross the river amidst a hail of cannon fire, the river surface undoubtedly stained dark crimson by now.
Before noon, Werroser reported to him with a grim expression, "Marshal, the first wave has sustained too many casualties and cannot continue the attack."
Archduke Charles nodded mechanically. "Order Radetzky's Corps to advance. The Prince of Hechingen will provide flank cover. Don't spare the cannonballs; as long as we can return to Vienna, ammunition will be plentiful."
However, by nightfall, the Austrian army had still failed to reach the opposite bank. The sapper battalions, despite immense casualties, had only managed to construct pontoon bridges less than two-thirds the width of the river.
Werroser stood before Archduke Charles, clutching a stack of reports, his face utterly devoid of color, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "Mar-Marshal, according to preliminary estimates, today's fatalities... exceed 10,000 men. The number of wounded is still unclear, but it's at least 14,000..."
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