Chapter 774 Everything is as planned
Chapter 775 Everything is as agreed
The two Austrian generals thought they were being cautious enough.
Behind them were nearly 60,000 Austrian and Saharan coalition forces, enough to sweep across southeastern France, but they still carried out reconnaissance, formation and other tasks meticulously in accordance with Marshal Beaulieu's requirements.
Nothing unusual.
All that's left is to launch an attack.
The defensive force that the French desperately mobilized will be crushed by them in a day or two at most.
…
On the high ground 3 kilometers northwest of the town of Cagne, the Marquis of Peche listened to the vague sound of artillery in the distance and looked at Victor next to him with great concern: "Colonel Victor, the enemy's attack seems to be very fierce. , should we go for reinforcements?”
Although Victor was a little nervous, he still shook his head and said: "No, if the commander asks us to wait here, we must not leave without authorization."
At this time, he was commanding two regiments, that is, more than 3,000 soldiers, but he could only watch helplessly as the two regiments of the Lyon Army in the town of Cagnie resisted the attack of more than 5,000 people from the Austrian Provera Army.
A few minutes later, the Marquis of Peche, as the leader of the Lyon Army, couldn't help but said: "Colonel Victor, if this continues, the town of Cagne is likely to be breached."
Victor just remained silent and looked towards the direction where the gunfire came from.
Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon assured him that Ramadie would be able to defend Cagne.
It is 5 kilometers northwest of Vence.
Joubert also looked far away towards the city of Vence where the smoke was rising, and said to Junod beside him: "Lieutenant Colonel Bouwanaba's deployment is indeed very strange."
Juno seemed very relaxed: "Don't be nervous, he is the second most talented officer I have ever seen. He can always sensitively smell the enemy's movements and choose the most effective response method."
Needless to say, the number one military genius is naturally the founder of the French New Army - His Royal Highness the Dauphin.
Joubert exhaled: "The Austrian Army's Sebotendorf Army has tens of thousands of soldiers, while the Corsican Army defending Vence plus Baron Defiel's Toulouse Army only have a total of 6,500 soldiers.
"Hopefully they can really withstand it."
Yes, the Joubert Corps was ordered to wait here and not to move without permission no matter what the situation in Vence was.
At this time, outside the city of Vence, Baron Defiel was listening solemnly to his subordinates' report on the battle situation, "The Marchant Battalion lost most of its company...Captain Gille's cavalry company blocked the flank attack, but suffered 21 casualties... …
"Captain Kelana's infantry company has suffered heavy losses. I request you to send reserve troops for reinforcements..."
Defiel only adjusted the defensive formation, but did not send an additional soldier to join the defense line.
Lieutenant Colonel Buwanaba asked him to stay here for 5 days, and he must allocate his troops reasonably.
The 2,000 soldiers currently on the defense line can probably last until after 3 pm. At that time, we will decide whether to replace them based on their morale.
Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Buwanaba left him an artillery battery equipped with 6 cannons.
These artillerymen were trained by lieutenant colonels in Corsica. Their shooting skills are very good and they can always fire artillery shells at the enemy's most intensive expenditure.
It is precisely because of their outstanding performance that Vence City can barely stabilize the situation.
However, the number of attacking Austrian troops was too great. In the morning, the number of casualties in his regiment was close to 200.
This was simply the hardest battle he had fought since joining the army.
Finally, the sun slowly disappeared from the horizon under the constant prayers of Baron Defiel.
From time to time, the painful groans of wounded soldiers could be heard in the camp of the Toulouse Legion.
However, they still defended the city of Vence, even at the cost of 370 casualties.
In fact, the casualties of the Austrian army on the opposite side were even worse than theirs.
Although the Toulouse Army is just a "traditional army" that is looked down upon in France, its combat effectiveness is still higher than that of the Austrian Army.
In addition to the defensive battle, they occupied a favorable position in advance and built several parapets, so they also achieved a good exchange ratio.
At dawn the next day, the brutal battle continued.
After yesterday's fierce attack, the Sebotendorf Army only advanced the front line more than a hundred meters...
Austrian Army Command.
Beaulieu frowned and looked at the battle report, a little surprised by the tenacity shown by the French army.
The French could have transferred their troops back to the Toulon Fortress for defense, but they unexpectedly defended two isolated towns.
He looked at the map on the table. Vence and Cagne were blocking the west side of Nice, preventing his army from continuing to advance towards the port of Toulon.
He rubbed his cane and pondered: "Are the French planning some big move in Toulon Port?"
The staff officer on the side continued: "Marshal, maybe we can bypass Vence, continue westward from the valley further north, and then go straight to the port of Toulon."
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Beaulieu nodded slightly: "Order Sebotendorf, if he still fails to capture Vence after three days, let him go around there and surround the Toulon Fortress."
He looked at the map again: "As for Cane, we must conquer this place and open up a supply line to march westward.
"Let Carretto lead his battalion of grenadiers to reinforce Provera. Give them a week."
"Yes, Marshal!"
Three days later.
Sebotendorf used his telescope to look at the two unused parapets outside Nice and the cannons that were constantly spitting flames near the high ground in the south of the city, and had no choice but to carry out Beaulieu's order.
He turned his head to the messenger and said: "Gather the troops, go around the town of Saint-Jeannet from the valley on the north side tomorrow morning, and then go to the port of Toulon."
Baron Defeir was writing a request for help to General Dimopin, the commander-in-chief of the Italian Front. The task Napoleon gave him was too difficult, so he had to complain to the superior.
At this moment, the artillery fire from the Austrian side gradually stopped...
Outside the town of Cagnes.
Provera and the commander of the grenadiers battalion who came to reinforce, Carretto, frowned at the sand table. There were only three days left before the deadline given to them by Marshal Beaulieu, but the French showed no signs of collapse.
Carretto suddenly noticed that the French defense line was retreating and gradually formed a diagonal line leaning to the east.
He pointed with a thin stick to the west of Cagnes: "If we can quietly go around here and launch an attack, the French defense line will be difficult to take care of. You see, they have lost the cover on the northwest side."
Provera's eyes lit up immediately, and he nodded and said: "You have keenly found the key to ending this battle!
"Then we will try to move to the northwest tonight."
...
In the bushes, Jubel yawned. After the tension and anxiety of the past few days, he has begun to get used to this kind of boring waiting.
He suddenly frowned, feeling that something was wrong today. The sound of artillery in the distance seemed much weaker than before.
He immediately cheered up and waved to the cavalry captain: "Go and see what happened?"
More than an hour later, two rangers hurried back, panting and said: "Captain, the Austrian army has left Vence and is coming towards us. "
