Chapter 697

Chapter 698 "Civil War" (please vote for me!)

Henzine, West-Central Voivodeship of Poland.

In a marching column of hundreds of people, Herbert Schmitz hummed a newly learned tune:

“Poland is always, always strong!

As long as I'm alive,

No matter what the enemy takes from here,

I regained them all with the sword!

Go forward Kosciuszko..."

It was the famous "Poland Never Dies", the future Polish national anthem. It's just that its author, Joseph Wybicki, named it "Poland Forever Strong" this time, and the words "destruction" in the lyrics also disappeared.

Historically, at this time the Russian army had already surrounded Warsaw. But for now, Poland's defense line remains on its eastern border.

Schmitz walked to the beat of the military drum, his fingers groping for the letter in his pocket.

It was sent by his brother last week, saying that he had set off to Poland with the legion and should be able to meet him soon and then join the glorious holy war together.

Well, his older brother, Mort Schmitz, was a captain in the Austrian Royal Carpathian Regiment.

However, his status as an officer also limits him.

Herbert Schmitz himself came to Poland from his hometown in Novoszcz for more than half a month, and obtained the rank of sergeant of the "Holy Crusader Legion", and is now rushing to the battlefield.

And the elder brother has just set off.

Perhaps by the time his brother meets the Russians, he will have been promoted to a military rank similar to his.

Herbert Schmitz thought with a smile on his lips. Crusade, what a romantic experience!

The army had gone a long way, and it was estimated that they had reached the outer suburbs of Warsaw. Suddenly, several horses chased up from behind the team. A Polish major shouted loudly: "Wait a minute! Stop!"

The commander, Major Fecott, immediately signaled to the herald. The drumbeat changed awkwardly, and the soldiers stopped.

The Polish Major exchanged a few words with Ficott in a low voice. The latter suddenly turned pale. After hesitating for a moment, he jumped on a large stone half a man's height and said loudly in German: "Everyone, listen, Charles Trow." Major Ke has something to tell you."

All officers and soldiers immediately turned to look at him.

Trok said something excitedly in Polish.

Feikete frowned, but quickly translated for him:

"Unfortunately, our King...well, declared war on Poland a few days ago."

There was a sudden commotion among the soldiers.

Herbert Schmitz confirmed in an incredibly loud voice: "Sir, did you mean 'declaration of war' rather than 'alliance'?"

"Yes, declare war." Fecote nodded and cursed softly, "Damn it, it's like shit!"

Major Trocker continued: "At this time, Austria's 25,000-strong army is passing through Novi Songchi. It is expected that it will launch an attack on Krakow in 4 to 7 days."

Fikete translated helplessly.

And his team has already exploded, "Why invade Poland?"

"Surely this is not His Majesty the King's order, right?"

"What kind of bastard is colluding with Russian heretics?"

"Is this how they repay our friends who helped us defend Vienna?"

This team was composed of volunteers who came from Austria to support the Polish jihad. They fully expected that the Austrian government would send troops to help Poland resist Russia, but they did not expect to hear such news.

Trok first bowed deeply to everyone, and then said: "There are almost no troops garrisoned in Krakow, and we never expected that Vienna would attack there.

"Therefore, Warsaw has to send all the soldiers it can mobilize to Krakow. And you are the most experienced team here. On behalf of His Majesty the King, I beg you to help us defend Krakow.

"Please, for God's sake!"

Herbert Schmitz took a few steps forward with a gloomy face and shouted: "I'll go!"

Someone immediately shouted, "I'll go too."

"I also want to teach those idiots a lesson!"

"And I..."

Half an hour later, the team of more than 800 people turned southwest and rushed to Krakow.

Krakow.

Outside the town of Chebinya on the south side of the Tarnovsk Mountains silver mine.

An Austrian artilleryman slowly stuffed the shell into the muzzle. The loader gave it a few random hits with the pestle rod, and then the igniter lit the fuse.

There was a roar, and the shell drew an arc and flew into the bushes on the east side.

The artillery company commander looked through the binoculars and did not blame the gunner. Instead, he sat down on the ammunition box and let his men do what they wanted.

Yes, they didn't know they were fighting Poles until they entered Poland.

Before that, except for mid-level and senior officers, the Austrian soldiers thought they were going to fight the Russians on the eastern front of Poland.

Soon, General Wilmser's guards came to the artillery position as supervisors.

The eight cannons here fired all morning, but only one shell hit the Polish position. The general was already furious.

Well, the unlucky guy who shot the Pole had been scolded by his comrades before. He was also a little unjust, as his technique was really poor and his aim was off target.

After several artillerymen were whipped, a gap was finally blasted out of the Polish position.

Then Wilmser directly transferred the Royal Grenadier Battalion and took the lead in rushing into the Polish defense line.

The Polish troops, wearing uniforms of various styles and colors, quickly retreated, completely abandoning the town.

Wilmser looked at the situation in the telescope and ordered the cavalry to pursue.

He originally thought he would not encounter any resistance. After all, the Polish army in Krakow should only be a few hundred people.

However, there were at least two thousand soldiers blocking the town just now.

"General, it seems that it is just a ragtag group temporarily organized by the Poles." The staff officer on the side also put down his telescope, "Maybe we can capture the silver mine tomorrow."

Wilmser nodded: "Order the troops to enter the town. The technical academy there can make the soldiers excited."

He was extremely dissatisfied with today's battle. Two consecutive attacks by the Royal German Infantry Regiment were blocked by the rabble.

About an hour later, just as he and his officers were discussing how to control the entire Krakow as soon as possible, several gunshots were suddenly heard in the distance.

He frowned. He didn't order the artillery to participate in the pursuit. Why did they run so far?

After a while, two cavalrymen rushed over in panic and reported to him: "General, Major Moret was ambushed in the west of the town, and three cavalry squadrons were defeated..."

Wilmser's expression suddenly froze, and just as he was about to order the troops to be withdrawn, another ranger came to report that traces of enemy cavalry had been found on the left wing.

There are even cavalry in this rabble?

Wilmser suddenly felt that the situation was not good.

And his hunch was confirmed.

The next day, the Austrian army fought hard with the Polish army in the town of Chebinia.

What Wilmser did not expect was that there were more than 2,800 Polish soldiers here.

To be precise, only more than 800 of them were mercenaries recruited from Italy and Switzerland, while the rest were patrols from mining companies and armed miners.