Life of Being a Crown Prince in France

Capítulo 1337: Chapter 1242: The Advantage of the Allied Forces

Archduke Karl frowned and glanced at the map hanging on the wooden rack.

The staff had already marked it with the French Army’s movements, which appeared chaotic, as if the entire Germanic Region was filled with French people.

Scharnhorst stood up and analyzed, “According to reports from various places, the largest force of the French Army is heading towards Bavaria and Nuremberg.”

The Duke of York smiled slightly, “Do they intend to seek a decisive battle?”

Continuing north from Nuremberg leads to the western part of Saxony, and at the current marching speed of the Allied Forces, it is indeed very likely to encounter these French people.

However, the Austrian Chief of Staff, Verossi, was taken aback and blurted out, “Another possibility is suddenly turning east from Passau…”

This was a scene that no Austrian officers could forget—years ago, Moro had quickly pierced into Austria from here and even temporarily occupied the hinterland town of Perg, causing panic in Vienna and prompting a large number of nobles to flee to the countryside for refuge.

It is hard to guarantee that the French people won’t try such a tactic again.

Scharnhorst nodded, “We certainly should make preparations against this. I suggest dispatching a corps immediately to enter Bavaria and set up a defense line from Straubing to Passau.”

The Duke of York lightly coughed, “Cough, but what if the French people really come to Saxony?”

“Then this forward corps will move westward to intercept them at Bayreuth. Afterward, wait for our main forces to implement an encirclement from the flanks.”

The few individuals soon reached a consensus and simultaneously looked at Archduke Karl.

He pondered briefly and instructed, “General Willemze, lead two divisions of the Galicia Corps, along with the corps of General Kre and Prince Heixinggen, and immediately turn south to Straubing.”

Previously, Bavaria insisted on maintaining neutrality, so the Allied Forces had always ignored them. But if Bavaria allows the French Army to pass through its territory, then the Allied Forces have nothing to worry about.

Archduke Karl further instructed Willemze, “You must do your utmost to avoid engaging the French people in a decisive battle alone. Stall them and wait for the main force to approach.”

These three corps together had over 80,000 soldiers, but Archduke Karl, having engaged with the French Army over the recent years, knew that it was unlikely to defeat more than 60,000 French soldiers with this number of troops.

The Vilmze Corps was only less than 140 kilometers from Bavaria at this time, while the French Army was still 200 kilometers away, allowing him to easily reach there first to fortify.

Meanwhile, the Allied main forces would advance toward Baden via Coburg and Bamberg in the southwest direction, conveniently covering the French Army’s left flank.

Once the French people initiate an attack on Willemze’s defense line, they will be surrounded by the overwhelmingly superior forces of the Allied Forces.

Willemze stood at attention, “Yes, Marshal!”

Archduke Karl, still feeling it’s not sufficiently secure, turned his head to a nearby staff member and said, “Please contact Vienna immediately and instruct Grand Duke John to prepare for defense in advance.”

Grand Duke John, his brother John Baptist Joseph, although only 17 years old this year, had a remarkable reputation in Austria and was appointed by the Saint Luo Emperor as the chief commander of Vienna’s defense forces.

Of course, the true commanders conducting the operations were Count Heinrich von Belgrad and General Franz von Raoul, among others.

Archduke Karl, having experienced the elusive nature of the French Army multiple times, feared they might indeed bypass Willemze’s defense line.

However, at the moment, there were still 15,000 stationed troops in Vienna, and as long as they could hold off the French Army for a few days, Willemze could lead his forces to pursue and apply pressure from behind the French people.

After the Allied Commanders, including the Marquess of Wellesley, finished arranging the eastern battlefield, they promptly said, “The intelligence delivered yesterday indicated that 30,000 more French troops appeared south of Manheim.

“Judging from their marching direction, their target likely intends to pass through Hanau and Hesse to attack Hanover.”

To be honest, Hanover’s strategic value is quite small, but as the ancestral land of the King of England, its political significance is extraordinarily considerable. If attacked by the French Army, it would be equivalent to slapping George III’s face.

Scharnhorst continued, “They might also aim for Anhalt.”

The Duke of York laughed, “Perhaps the French people even plan to directly attack Berlin.”

The other Allied generals joined in the laughter.

With almost 400 kilometers from Manheim to Anhalt, they believed that even if no one blocked them, by the time the French Army reached there, the Allied Forces would have already invaded French territory.

After the Allied Commanders including the Marquess of Wellesley calmed down a bit, they continued, “Fortunately, the French people have limited troops.

“I remember the Brandenburg Guard Corps is still stationed at Potsdam and can be sent to Kassel to fortify.

“At the same time, we should transfer some forces back from Cologne…”

Scharnhorst immediately shook his head, “You probably forgot, French Army movements were also detected south of Mainz.”

The Duke of York nodded, “Yes, but with very few troops. I believe they are likely intended to confuse us.”

“We cannot take risks,” Scharnhorst said firmly, “The Brandenburg Guard Corps and the Magdeburg corps will deploy along the Erfurt to Weimar line. We must ensure Berlin’s safety.”

The Brandenburg Guard is an elite force of Prussia, and in addition to the new recruits from Magdeburg and elsewhere, there are over 10,000 soldiers, enough to handle small French units.

“Then we’ll have to ask the Duke of Brunswick to allocate more troops to guard Hesse…”

A group of senior Allied commanders directed their strategy at the command meeting, as if victory were assured, but they didn’t notice that their strategic deployment was already reacting to the movements of the French Army.

After the Allied Forces completed their strategic responses to the advancing French Army, Archduke Karl’s expression finally relaxed a bit, and he smiled:

“Next, the French people will pay the price for their recklessness.

“They have almost emptied the troops in Karlsruhe, while we still have substantial forces nearby.”

Scharnhorst reminded, “According to the intelligence we gathered, France has already mobilized over 100,000 troops domestically, possibly reaching up to 150,000.”

Archduke Karl nodded, “But those new troops are still undergoing basic training. It will take another month for them to reach the front line.

“The Russians have ample time to break through the Baden Line, and if successful, they might even occupy Strasbourg.”

He looked at the Duke of York, “I hope you ensure that your prideful soldiers fully cooperate with the Russian troops.”

“They will, Your Highness.”

As the lengthy strategy meeting concluded, a series of orders were dispatched to various corps of the Allied Forces.

In the time taken to hold this meeting, the French Army’s three-pronged advance had already progressed over 20 kilometers.

…

Berlin.

City Palace.

William III frowned and looked at Prince Heinrich, “With the Allied Forces having far more troops than the French people, why do we still need to mobilize my Brandenburg Guard?”