Chapter 797: Decisive Battle in Brussels

Chapter 798 Decisive Battle of Brussels

More than 20 minutes later, Emman looked at the three-page order in his hand and sighed in his heart: I'm afraid that hundreds of signalmen will not have time to eat dinner today.

He was about to turn around and go out, and Joseph suddenly remembered that Napoleon's report mentioned that the Milan Parliament voluntarily donated 2 million francs and some valuable works of art to his army.

"Voluntary donation?"

Joseph shook his head. He knew too well Napoleon's nature in the occupied areas.

Although it was customary to rob occupied areas in this era, few people did it as exaggerated as Napoleon did. Wherever he set foot, there was resentment from the heavens and the people.

Most of the 2 million francs were "persuaded" by the Milanese to donate with cannons. Especially those famous paintings, who would donate these things to the army?

Joseph didn't want the international situation of France being surrounded by enemies during the Napoleonic era to reappear.

He even sent Odoric to keep an eye on him, but he didn't expect that Napoleon's talent for offending people could not be stopped.

Those who deserve rewards should be rewarded, and those who deserve punishment must be punished.

Joseph wrote a commendation to Napoleon and a secret document, and handed them to Emmanuel: "Please give these to the Duke of Broglie and ask him to send the gendarmes to Italy to investigate. I have written very clearly what to do."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Emanuel left, and soon Lefebvre knocked on the door and saluted Joseph, saying: "Your Highness, the American volunteers have just arrived in the town of Uccle, with more than 1,300 people."

"They are finally here." Joseph smiled and stood up and said, "Please make arrangements, I will go to greet them in person."

Lefebvre was a little surprised: "Your Highness, forgive me for being frank, these Americans don't have much combat power, you don't seem to have to pay so much attention..."

Joseph smiled and patted his arm: "No, they are like a rope that can drag the entire United States."

It should be said that this American army came at the right time, and there were British people right in front of them to fight.

Half a month ago, the French army had just cleared the area around Brussels, and the Duke of York led 20,000 British troops to Antwerp.

On the other hand, Franz II also transferred the Kleifart Corps from Gelden, plus a Prussian army, totaling more than 35,000 people, to join the remnants of Prince Coburg in Leuven.

At this time, not counting the Dutch army, the anti-French alliance had already assembled 63,000 troops around Brussels.

On Joseph's side, there were only 22,000 regular French troops, 13,000 newly joined Walloon Defense Forces, and less than 5,000 "surrendered" troops in the Flemish region.

A total of 40,000 troops. However, there are a large number of newly recruited Walloon recruits, and the Flemish Corps is even less likely to count, so there are only about 30,000 people who can really fight.

There are still 14,000 Dutch troops in Brussels, but their training level is very poor, and many of them have cooperated with the French army in the battle to overthrow William V, so the overall fighting will is relatively weak.

Joseph left 7,000 Walloon defenders to continue besieging Brussels, while he led the main force to the south of Antwerp to confront the Anglo-Austrian-Prussian coalition.

Antwerp, Mechelen.

On the high ground behind the coalition, Count Klefat observed the French positions in the distance with a telescope and said loudly: "Now is obviously a good opportunity to launch an attack. The French are not prepared for defense at all. I only saw a small number of stragglers wandering around their defense line.

"General Davidovich has asked for help many times. We must try our best to break through the French defense line, otherwise he may..."

The Duke of York glanced at him and said calmly: "If you hadn't fought with a few thousand Walloon troops for five or six days before, we would have started the attack long ago. "

Klefat paused and looked up at the sky awkwardly.

When he came from Leuven, he was ambushed by the Walloon "police".

These Walloons were so fierce that he had to temporarily retreat to Leuven and wait for the Prussian army to set out together before repelling the enemy.

The Duke of York also raised his telescope: "My cavalry reconnaissance found that there are at least 30,000 French troops here. I must find out where they are deployed."

As he was speaking, he suddenly stopped and said in a rare hurried tone: "Damn, who is that?"

He turned his head and gestured to an officer not far away: "Lieutenant Colonel Swensen, I remember you fought in North America?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I didn't return to my country until 1783, and I had been there before."

The Duke of York immediately pointed to the French positions in the distance: "Look at those flags, I think they look like Americans? "

Swenson only glanced through the telescope and frowned: "The 12th Infantry Regiment of the Continental Army and the Maryland Skirmishers... They are indeed Americans, Your Highness. I have fought with them."

Soon, the thousands of American soldiers came to the British positions under the cover of the French cavalry and lined up to provoke them. Various English curses could be vaguely heard.

Just then, a British cavalry officer came to the side of the Duke of York, pulled the reins, raised his hat and saluted: "Your Highness, I have repeatedly confirmed that there are no traces of enemy troops within 8 miles around."

The Duke of York looked at the ragged Americans in the distance, and said gloomily: "Send an order, prepare to launch a frontal attack."

No mistake, one sentence, one shot, one content, one look!

Although he didn't know what the French were planning, as long as there was no ambush around, he could use his superior forces to defeat the opponent in one fell swoop!

The offensive plan had been prepared long ago. Only a dozen minutes later, the two British infantry brigades in front took the lead.

More than 60 cannons slowly moved forward with the infantry lines. In order to carry these heavy equipment, the British army slowed down their marching speed, but now these cannons will bring them a huge advantage.

At the same time, the Prussian Corps outflanked the French flank from the right wing.

They have a huge advantage in manpower, so they can stretch the line longer.

To a distance that the French army cannot take care of, and then they can turn inward and form a semi-encirclement with the British army in front.

The French army's defensive position is located on a high ground, which is somewhat disadvantageous to the attacker, but the Duke of York is confident that he can rely on the advantage of manpower to make up for this disadvantage.

Moreover, the situation in Brussels is critical, so he can only launch a strong attack as soon as possible.

The American volunteers who were still arrogant just now only had a slight contact with the British army, and immediately retreated to their own high ground.

They are used for "mental attack", and Joseph is not prepared to let them fight any hard battles.

The British infantry brigade's advance speed was not very fast. They were waiting for the Prussian army on the side to outflank them and then launch an attack at the same time.

Half an hour later, the French artillery roared first.

The shells flew from 1.3 kilometers away, with a piercing scream, and accurately hit the British infantry line.

In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere, broken limbs fell everywhere, and screams came one after another.

The Duke of York didn't know that on the opposite high ground was the French Royal First Artillery Battalion.

The best artillery in Europe!