Chapter 96: Defeat like a mountain
Chapter 96: Defeat Like a Mountain
Vicenza, Marshal Radetzky had already been on the front line himself, and 50,000 Austrian reinforcements had secretly arrived here when the Battle of Trento was launched.
“Marshal, the troops are ready to launch an attack on the enemy at any time!” Edmund said confidently
“Any movement from the enemy side?” Marshal Radetsky asked with concern
War is never one-sided, a battle won or lost is often the result of both sides’ joint forces.
A smart commander must always keep an eye on the opponent’s movements and take timely measures against them.
“Since yesterday afternoon the enemy stopped attacking and built fortifications in place, preliminary judgment, the enemy should be changing their offensive strategy to defense!” General Edmund replied
“Proceed with the original plan!” Marshal Radetzky smiled and said
This is where the Austrian army’s main attack is going to take place, launching the Battle of Trento is just a link inside the chess game, the purpose is just to divert the enemy’s attention.
Marshal Radetzky also did not expect that the Battle of Trento would be won so easily. However, it was better this way, the Sardinian army’s top management was really misled.
General Messer was a godsend, his battle report perfectly covered up the secret arrival of Austrian reinforcements in Vicenza, where the two sides have reversed the contrast in strength.
Radetzky was not yet aware that Badorio had thrown the maneuvering forces at his disposal into Ara to defend against the main Austrian force from Trento.
Otherwise, at this time he could have celebrated with champagne.
The total strength of the Sardinian Kingdom invested into the Venice battlefield was only 170,000, and with three divisions directly scrapped in Trento and now three more put over there, the battle of Vicenza was no longer in doubt this time.
……
The Sardinian army, which had been on the offensive with artillery fire, was suddenly counterattacked by the Austrian army and was quickly blindsided.
“A shell landed thirty meters away from the command of Major General Otus, taking the lives of three Sardinian soldiers and wounding two more.
“What’s going on? How did the enemy launch an attack?” Major General Otus asked in confusion
This question no one could answer him, the Austrian army’s sudden attack, there was not even a hint of warning beforehand.
As the absolute main force of the Sardinian army, the first division was an ace unit, even if the combat power had decreased after the expansion of the army, it was still much stronger than other units.
After encountering the enemy attack, after only a few minutes of hesitation, Otus took action.
“Order the artillery to counterattack, and at the same time, report the situation we encountered here to the general command, send out sentries to scout, and figure out the enemy’s purpose as soon as possible!”
There was nothing wrong with Otus’ response, but unfortunately the gap in strength was not so easy to bridge, winning with weakness was based on the opponent making mistakes.
Now the Austrian army is completely frontal strong attack, both sides fight is strength, any conspiracy and trickery here will not come in handy.
……
“General, the enemy’s firepower is too fierce, the artillery has suffered heavy losses!” A young officer said in panic
Otus’ complexion darkened, artillery was the god of war, its importance was self-evident. Fighting here is again Austria’s home turf, it is not surprising that Austria’s national power can mobilize more artillery to appear on the battlefield.
But this would be tragic for the Sardinian 1st Division, meaning that they would have to be passive.
“Order all units to fortify their fortifications immediately, after the artillery battle is over, the enemy is about to attack!”
Ortus made the best judgment, they had been on the offensive since the outbreak of the war, fighting all the way to Vicenza.
It wasn’t until yesterday afternoon that they received an order from headquarters to stop the attack and build fortifications, it was simply too late.
At this time, Otus has no time to think so much, and then simple fortifications are better than none, even if it is with sacks of dirt piled up in a row, that can also block the bullet.
Although now is the era of the platoon gun, but Otus very clear, since the enemy launched a counterattack, then there must be a certain grasp.
At this time, it is unwise to risk a duel with the enemy, first use the position fortifications to delay the pace of the enemy’s attack, waiting for reinforcements from the rear is the most correct choice.
Otus is a smart man, the first division of the Kingdom of Sardinia is also barely considered elite, to take the most correct response, but next door to the thirteenth division of Sardinia does not think so.
Major General Cobalt seemed to have a strong spirit of sword, after the Austrian army launched an attack, they decisively offered the tactics of the volley, and outside Vicenza and the Austrian army to have a friendly match.
“Ready, discharge!”
“Ready, fire!”
……
The narrow path of courage, Major General Cobalt overestimated the courage of his men, a hundred meters away to shoot at each other, this kind of pressure, not these new recruits can withstand.
Watching a comrade fall beside him, many Sardinian soldiers’ nerves had collapsed.
Suddenly a soldier couldn’t stand the pressure and dropped his gun and ran away, instantly fear spread to the whole army, the 13th division lost.
A communication soldier eagerly shouted, “Division Commander is not good, the 13th Division on our right flank is routed, the enemy is taking their positions!”
Otus only felt his brain sink, the cup of water in his hand had fallen to the ground, the worst thing had still happened. With the thirteenth division routed, the flanks of the first division were exposed to the enemy, and they definitely couldn’t hold it with this improvised defense line of theirs.
“Order the 3rd Regiment to break the back and retreat the whole army!” Otus ordered with a trembling voice
This was going against the military order, but the people present didn’t object, if they didn’t leave, they wouldn’t be able to leave.
The saying that a general’s orders are not to be obeyed is common in many places. The thirteenth division had foolishly run off to fight the enemy, they wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
The first division of this run, Vicenza’s Sardinian army defense line is completely open, see the opportunity of the Austrian army, naturally immediately pounced on to beat the dog.
Under a chase and escape, the situation on the battlefield has changed drastically.
May 22, the Austrian army recaptured Padua, three Sardinian infantry divisions in the Ala region, fell into the Austrian army’s encirclement.
On May 24th, the Austrian army launched an attack on Bergamo, where Lieutenant General Messer, who was stationed there, fled without a fight with the troops retreating from Trento.
On May 25th, the Austrian army launched the Battle of Brescia, where Marshal Badoglio concentrated the remaining main force of the Sardinian army in an unsuccessful attempt to hold off the Austrian offensive and was forced to withdraw to Milan.
On May 27, the Sardinian army in Ala launched a failed breakout operation and surrendered to the Austrian army the following day.
At this point, the Battle of Venice initiated by the Kingdom of Sardinia, which lasted less than a month before and after, ended in total failure.
A bubble to prove that I’m still in, I’m sorry that the war chapters are not well written, the sea and the moon not enough merit, learned a half-bucket of water, embarrassed ????
Thank you for more than five o’clock flying helmsman, debt accumulated 8 chapters, after the shelves to settle!
(End of chapter)