Chapter 442: Stubbornness and Conservatism
"Your Highness, what do your generals think of this plan?" Leopold II asked hesitantly.
Though not deeply versed in military strategy, Leopold had attended military school for two years. To him, the plan presented by the French Crown Prince seemed overly aggressive.
Joseph smiled. "My opinions are their opinions."
"Alright, I understand." Leopold II took a sip of his drink and nodded. "I will seriously consider your plan and advise Marshal Lacy to cooperate with you as much as possible."
"We will surely be victorious," Joseph said, raising his glass. "To the Franco-Austrian alliance."
"To the Franco-Austrian alliance."
While Joseph and the Holy Roman Crown Prince discussed the Silesian campaign, a pair of eyes in the corner of the ballroom glared venomously at Camellia, who was standing behind Joseph.
"Wretched woman!" The owner of those eyes muttered through clenched teeth, "I'll make sure you and that French master of yours pay for this!"
This man was none other than Baron Walter, the cousin of Leopold II's wife. After the failed attempt to frame Camellia, his enraged cousin had confined him to his estate for over a month, and he had only recently been released. What's more, he had been forced to pay 150,000 florins in compensation, nearly his entire fortune.
He could have endured all that, but what truly stung was the ridicule he faced from his peers after bragging that the girl would never escape his grasp. The memory of their mocking laughter still filled him with shame and rage.
After cursing under his breath, Baron Walter slumped back in his chair, dispirited. All of Austria was counting on the French to break the stalemate in Silesia, and at this moment, even his cousin had to treat that young prince with utmost respect.
He hadn't known that Camellia would be at the ball, and now, any interest he had in the event was gone. Finding an opportunity, he slipped out of the ballroom.
...
Silesia.
Southwest of Liegnitz.
Marshal Lacy, the Austrian army's commander-in-chief, casually handed the letter from Vienna to the officer beside him, scowling. "The French clearly don't understand warfare. And the Crown Prince expects me to cooperate with them!"
General Wurmser, surprised, took the letter and quickly skimmed through it, a sneer forming on his lips. "They must be mad to suggest concentrating all our artillery at Vellehrabi."
Nearby, General Nauendorf, after reading the letter, frowned deeply. "Concentrating our artillery on the western front would leave us vulnerable along the entire line. Before we could launch an attack, the Prussians would break through our defenses and march into Königgrätz!"
Vellehrabi was on the western end of the Austro-Prussian front, while Königgrätz was an Austrian province bordering Silesia.
According to Joseph's plan for the Silesian campaign, the first priority was to break the artillery stalemate between the Austrians and Prussians.
Both sides had positioned over 200 cannons along a long front. In such a situation, even the bravest troops, prepared for heavy casualties, would struggle to breach the enemy's defenses.
For the Prussians, who wanted to hold Silesia, this stalemate was acceptable. But for the Austrians, who were on the offensive, this was a significant failure.
So, after consulting with Berthier, Joseph decided to concentrate the scattered Austrian artillery along the front, focusing their firepower to break through the Prussian lines.
Once the Prussian defenses were breached, the French Guards Corps could exploit the gap, penetrating deep into the rear of Liegnitz, forcing the Prussians to divert forces to counter the threat.
At that point, the Austrian main force could launch a concentrated attack on the weakened sections of the Prussian line, targeting their artillery positions.
As for Nauendorf's concern that the Prussians might launch a preemptive attack, Joseph was confident that Prussian intelligence would be delayed. Even if the Prussians did attack first, it would be advantageous for the Austrians.
If the Prussians abandoned their artillery defenses, the Franco-Austrian forces could target their main forces. They could even employ a "bait and ambush" tactic to lure out more Prussian troops.
Joseph had great confidence in the French Guards Corps' ability to win engagements. As long as the numbers weren't overwhelmingly against them, the Guards Corps could quickly defeat any Prussian unit.
However, to the conservative Austrian military, Joseph's plan seemed too risky. Commanders like Lacy, stuck in the mindset of the Seven Years' War, hadn't closely studied the recent campaigns in North Africa or the Southern Netherlands, so it was no surprise they dismissed the idea of narrowing their defensive line. Moreover, Lacy specialized in defensive warfare, and the current situation suited his preferences perfectly.
Three days later.
In the Austrian Silesian command center, Joseph looked helplessly at the officers of the General Staff.
"So, does anyone have any suggestions?"
In the military conference that had just concluded, Marshal Lacy had flatly rejected Joseph's battle plan, and his opposition had been firm.
Lefebvre shook his head. "The Austrians want to concentrate 100,000 troops for a direct assault on Karpacz."
"Unless the Prussians are blind to the movement of tens of thousands of troops, such an attack will only lead to unnecessary casualties."
Someone suggested, "Perhaps we could ask Vienna to pressure Lacy?"
Berthier sighed. "That's easier said than done. Marshal Lacy is highly respected within the Austrian military. Unless Emperor Joseph II himself gives the order, no one else can command him."
The room fell silent. Emperor Joseph II was in poor health, only lucid for an hour or two each day, and completely unable to speak.
"You mentioned respect?" Joseph suddenly thought of something and turned to Berthier. "I recall there's one general in the Austrian army who is highly respected."
"Are you referring to General Reo?"
"Yes," Joseph nodded, deep in thought. "We must break the current stalemate, and General Reo is the only Austrian officer not under Marshal Lacy's influence."
After all, General Reo was the hero who had saved the Southern Netherlands, leading the army that recaptured Brussels and drove Van der Noot into Holland. Of course, this reputation was largely the result of Joseph's deliberate "star-making," but the Austrians, unaware of the full story, now revered Reo as the "Spear of the Southern Netherlands."
"But Your Highness, General Reo's command skills…" Lefebvre, who had worked closely with Reo on several occasions, knew all too well that his abilities left much to be desired. "Frankly, he's not suited for significant responsibilities."
Joseph nodded in agreement but then looked down at the map on the table. "Still, even a general who can't outfight the enemy has his uses.
"As long as he remains the 'Spear of the Southern Netherlands,' I believe he can disrupt the stalemate in Silesia."
(End of Chapter)
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