Descending On France 1780
Chapter 352 - 345 Raid on Ulm

Chapter 352: 345 Raid on Ulm

Carl: "In Stuttgart, the ace up Frost’s sleeve is Napoleon Bonaparte’s First Army, which is his primary force."

Alvizi: "Using the main force as a feint, truly crafty of Frost."

Carl: "No, no, no! The First Army has made a move, but Frost’s other troops are still along the Rhein River!"

Alvizi, alarmed: "What, Frost’s main force is at the Rhein? Isn’t that very close to us?"

Grand Duke Carl paused, remembering that south of the Black Forest, the Rhein bends into an L-shape, turning east from Basel, heading directly this way.

Alvizi probably thought Frost had reached Schaffhausen.

"No, no, no!" Grand Duke Carl shook his head repeatedly, "His main force is along the line from Strasbourg to Mannheim to Frankfurt! It’s still far from here! If we set out immediately, march forcefully overnight, we can launch a surprise attack on Stuttgart by tomorrow morning and engage Napoleon’s First Army! For the entire day tomorrow, Frost’s other troops definitely won’t be able to join the fight!"

Alvizi continued to shake his head: "Then our rear will be cut off by the troops coming downriver from upstream on the Danube. Frost likes to use rivers to complete his encirclements, he did it twice in Italy."

Carl: "But his troops are indeed all on the Rhein—I mean, from Strasbourg to Frankfurt!"

Alvizi: "Can you guarantee that once he notices Napoleon’s isolated army, he won’t order his troops to march overnight? The French Army’s capability for forced marches and night maneuvers is superior to ours. How can you guarantee that we won’t face the entire French Army tomorrow?"

Carl was momentarily at a loss for words.

He really couldn’t guarantee that the entire French Army wouldn’t arrive at Stuttgart tomorrow.

That’s the French Army, the "next generation army" as depicted by Frost, this force has already achieved many miracles.

Alvizi continued: "And now we’re holding the line at Ulm, no matter if the enemy comes from Stuttgart or from the Black Forest, we’ll be at no disadvantage. If they come from the direction of Stuttgart, that’s even better, we have the river as a barrier.

"The French Army’s strength in field battles is too great for us, but with the river and our fortifications, their advantage would be entirely lost.

"As long as we defend, we won’t be defeated!"

Grand Duke Carl pursed his lips, saying: "But we have an advantage in the number of troops, having the advantage and still having to defend, that’s rather humiliating, isn’t it?"

"Being humiliated is better than being defeated." Alvizi shrugged his shoulders, then switched topics, "It’s good that you’ve returned safely, I’ll write to His Majesty immediately to report your safe return, and tomorrow we’ll send a cavalry escort to take you back to Vienna."

"I can command an army, no, a division!" Grand Duke Carl earnestly said, "I’m familiar with the French Army, trust me! And with the Emperor’s brother fighting alongside, the soldiers’ morale will surely greatly increase!"

Alvizi: "I appreciate your goodwill, but I don’t have the authority to appoint a Grand Duke as a division commander. You should return to Vienna. His Majesty misses you greatly."

Grand Duke Carl was silent for a few seconds, finally realizing he could not be involved in the upcoming great battle, he sighed: "Then, I can only wish you victory."

Just then, Alvizi’s Chief of Staff rushed in, exclaiming upon seeing the Grand Duke: "Oh, Your Highness, you’re back!"

Alvizi: "You’ve come at just the right time, arrange a place for the Grand Duke to stay."

Chief of Staff: "The local Nobles would certainly be delighted to host the Grand Duke, and if you wish, you could even attend their ball."

Grand Duke Carl: "A ball? The French Army is just a day’s march away, and still a ball?"

"The local Nobles aren’t military Nobles." Alvizi shrugged his shoulders, "Moreover, a ball can boost local morale and stabilize the situation."

Grand Duke Carl: "Never mind, I won’t go to the ball. Just arrange a place for me to sleep. I’ll head straight for Vienna early tomorrow morning."

**

Napoleon spent a night in Stuttgart, and upon waking up the next day, his first words were: "Has anyone attacked our position?"

The young attendant who came to help him dress shook his head: "No, you ordered me to wake you at any gunshot sound, so I didn’t dare to sleep all night, but there were no gunshots, not a single noise."

Napoleon clicked his tongue: "The enemy didn’t respond? I clearly made a bold move here already."

Then the Chief of Staff entered: "Report, the scouting cavalry has returned, the enemy is along the Danube, around Ulm."

Napoleon while putting on his clothes muttered, "Ulm? Isn’t that very close to here? And there’s a major road leading straight to it! Why aren’t the enemy storming us?"

Chief of Staff shrugged: "I don’t know."

Napoleon finished dressing with curses and then ordered: "Send a message back immediately, tell them we found the enemy troops at Ulm. Did the cavalry mention the enemy’s unit number?"

"They saw the flag of the Second Army."

"Alright, at least an army of the enemy is at Ulm, we’ll continue reconnaissance. My division plans to break camp at dawn today and move forward towards Ulm."

Then someone outside reported: "Report! Chief of Staff, a messenger from the Supreme Command!"

Napoleon: "I bet it’s a reprimand for our reckless advance. Just right, let’s also find out where our other troops are. Open the letter, read it to me."

Saying this, Napoleon began washing up as his young attendant assisted him.

The Chief of Staff opened the letter, unfolding the paper and read: "Your division’s forward movement has completely disrupted our army’s advance plan, an act of recklessness... Your division should immediately halt further advance and wait for the follow-up troops to arrive and regroup."

Napoleon spat out his mouthwash: "No, the opportunity is right ahead, only swift action will grasp it. I figured out, the Prussian coalition is somewhat afraid of us; as long as I push hard enough, the enemy won’t be able to perceive our reality!

"That’s the reply to his excellency."

Chief of Staff: "Eh, just write like that? Isn’t that a bit too hasty?"

"Don’t worry, Frost doesn’t care about these details, as long as we achieve victory, he won’t blame us... Well, maybe he will blame; I guess I might have to wear a maid outfit for a few days."

Chief of Staff was stunned: "Maid outfit? What do you mean?"

"Just as it means, Frost punishes those who need to be punished, but have already redeemed their faults by making them wear maid outfits while commanding at the headquarters."

Chief of Staff: "Me?"

"I mean, the main schemer who makes mistakes, you’re at most an accomplice. In any case, order the troops, spur the horses, and storm Ulm. If they don’t come to storm us, then we will go!"