#847 - Counterattack on the Rhineland

Chapter 843: Counterattack on the Rhineland

Luxembourg Fortress.

The day after Massena feigned defeat and retreated westward, Soult hurriedly knocked on Berthier's office door in the afternoon.

"Please come in," Berthier said, putting down the ammunition inventory data in his hand.

Soult tipped his hat to him, his expression serious, "General, I believe there has been a significant change in the battle situation."

"Please state your reasons."

"First of all, the artillery fire in the north has stopped for more than a day," Soult said. "Secondly, the enemy forces surrounding the fortress have transferred more troops to the northwest, and the frequency of attacks has also decreased significantly."

Previously, the southernmost point of the French and Allied forces' engagement, Brouch, was less than 10 kilometers away from the Luxembourg Fortress. Under favorable wind conditions, the booming of heavy artillery could be faintly heard from the fortress.

Berthier looked at him and said, "Are you saying that our line of defense has moved?"

"Yes, General," Soult nodded. "The enemy forces surrounding us are concentrating to the northwest, possibly to prevent us from learning about the situation there."

Berthier fell into thought: "If the Massena Corps' line of defense moves westward, there are only two possibilities—either he was defeated by the enemy and had to retreat, or he strategically retreated for some purpose."

Soult immediately said, "It shouldn't be our army being defeated, otherwise Ferdinand would definitely draw troops to strengthen the attack on us. But there haven't been any more enemy troops."

Berthier shook his head: "So, Massena is trying to do something, but we can't contact him for the time being."

Soult walked to the map and pointed to the Ardennes Plateau: "General, I guess the Massena Corps is trying to lure the enemy deep into the Ardennes Plateau.

"And the only purpose of doing so is to clear the road northeast of Luxembourg City."

Berthier still didn't understand: "How does that help?"

A sharp light leaped in Soult's eyes: "There are no obstacles on our way to Trier. General, perhaps Colonel Massena wants us to launch a counterattack!"

Berthier stared at Trier on the map and slowly stood up. He had to admit that Soult's suggestion was really tempting.

Although there were still 15,000 Allied troops outside the Luxembourg Fortress, he knew very well the combat effectiveness of those troops. Probably only the 4,000 Hanoverian troops were a threat, and the rest were basically there to make up the numbers.

And he had three regiments of the Royal First Infantry Division in his hands. Relying on these 5,000 people alone was enough to break through the encirclement.

At the same time, there was also the Champagne Corps—one of the most powerful troops in the old army. Especially their cavalry battalion, because of their high quality, more than half of the soldiers were absorbed into the Royal Hussar Battalion.

If they launched a surprise attack immediately, there was a high probability of capturing Trier, or even Koblenz!

He was still a little worried: "If Ferdinand's main force launches an attack on us as soon as we leave the fortress..."

Soult was very certain: "General, you must have confidence in the Direct Corps. The Prussians can't possibly spare a large number of troops to attack here while being held back by them.

"And after we launch a counterattack, we will immediately send cavalry to scout to the west. If we find that the enemy is too close, we will return to the fortress. There should be enough time."

Berthier pondered for a moment and said to the adjutant beside him, "Immediately convene a meeting of senior officers to discuss the battle plan."

"Yes, General!"

The next morning.

The Allied forces surrounding the Luxembourg Fortress were routinely dragging out their cannons, adjusting their firing angles, preparing to start another uneventful and destined-to-be-ineffective attack.

At this moment, an extremely fierce artillery barrage suddenly erupted from the fortress, with a fire density three or four times greater than before.

The Allied forces were suddenly stunned.

Immediately, the outermost gate of the fortress opened, and thousands of French Hussars rushed out waving their sabers.

Because they were unprepared, the Allied artillery positions north of the fortress were instantly destroyed. Then, the French horse artillery quickly occupied the most favorable firing positions, covering the infantry's fierce attack on the Hanoverian Corps on the west side.

The Hanoverian army was still in a state of siege, with their formation stretched very thin. In just less than two hours, the French infantry line, in coordination with the cavalry, completed their encirclement.

At 10:30 AM, the Hanoverian main force surrendered. At this time, the Trier army and the Mainz army had just reacted and hurriedly mobilized their forces to come to their aid.

At noon, Soult commanded 3,000 infantry from the Royal First Infantry Division and, with artillery support, defeated the Trier army.

At the same time, the Champagne Corps repelled the Mainz reinforcements on the west side.

The encirclement outside the Luxembourg Fortress was instantly broken in half.

Berthier watched the devastating battle situation on the fortress with a telescope, not feeling surprised at all. If he wasn't worried about the enemy's main force on the periphery, he could break through at any time.

And at present, Soult's judgment was correct. Most of the day had passed, and no enemy reinforcements had appeared.

He looked at the orderly beside him: "Leave 3,000 troops from the Alpine Corps to defend the fortress.

"Order Soult to lead the other corps directly to Steinseel for rest. Depart early tomorrow morning and try to reach the west bank of the Zeel River before dark."

That afternoon, as Soult gathered his troops and headed to Steinseel, he received a report from the rangers that no Allied troops were found within a 20-kilometer radius northwest of Luxembourg City.

The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile: "It seems I guessed right!"

At 4:30 PM the next day, Soult led 11,000 soldiers to the Zeel River west of Trier. Just as he was about to set up camp to rest, a cavalryman warned that an army of several thousand men had been spotted to the north.

Soult immediately became nervous. If Ferdinand still had spare troops to reinforce Trier, his trip might be in vain.

However, just ten minutes later, another group of rangers excitedly came to report to him: "Commander, it's the Oudinot Corps. They have been waiting for us here!"

Soult breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ordered the troops to go and join the Oudinot Corps.

Twenty minutes later, he met Oudinot.

The latter tipped his hat to him and said with a smile, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that you would definitely launch a counterattack. You see, we really met here."

Soult was stunned: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came to Luxembourg?"

"That's right, he also brought the Southern Netherlands Army. Colonel Massena has already led Ferdinand's main force to the west of Wiltz..." Oudinot said, then suddenly waved his hand, "Let's not talk about these things for now, hurry up and cross the river before it gets dark."

"Cross the river?"

"Yes," Oudinot nodded, pointing to the surface of the Zeel River, "I had the engineers build a pontoon bridge here yesterday. Colonel Massena ordered us to launch an attack on Koblenz immediately after crossing the river!"