Capítulo 126: Chapter 126: Support for Napoleon
On the morning of July 9th, the Austrian army once again launched an attack. However, to their surprise, they encountered no resistance this time. They easily occupied the French second line of defense. By now, the French had already retreated to the third line of defense.
This news greatly boosted the morale of the previously disheartened and bewildered Austrian army commanders.
"Archduke Karl, good news. The French have retreated, and we have now taken the second line of defense," Merveldt excitedly reported to Archduke Karl.
"What? The French have actually retreated? Could it be that those damned Frenchmen can no longer withstand the attack of our glorious Austrian army? Otherwise, why would they voluntarily abandon their positions? This is wonderful news! Order the entire army to launch the most fierce attack, break through the French's last line of defense, and capture the city of Turin!" Archduke Karl exclaimed, full of confidence.
The Austrian soldiers also gathered their last courage and launched an attack on the French positions. However, they were met with fierce French firepower, which disoriented the Austrian troops.
Ironically, the Austrian attack seemed to wane quickly, no longer as powerful as before.
Outside the city of Turin, the French defenses now had only one line left. This gave Archduke Karl hope that victory was within reach.
"Consul, the Austrians' attack is very fierce. However, we have managed to hold them off. It's clear they are giving it their all," General Moro said sternly. Although Napoleon had reorganized the First and Second Infantry Divisions to bolster their strength, after a long war, the French troops were at the end of their tether.
As time passed, perhaps due to increasing casualties, the Austrian army's attack also noticeably weakened. At the same time, the French officers and soldiers were also extremely exhausted. If it weren't for the solid defense fortifications, they might have already been overrun by the Austrian army!
"Damn it, how are those Frenchmen still so strong? Clearly, the French have only one defense line left, but their combat strength is still so formidable," General Moro exclaimed.
Looking at the current situation, Archduke Karl was deeply troubled. Just now, his logistics officer reported that their British Armstrong guns were running out of shells and would likely be completely silenced after two more rounds of attacks. Losing artillery support would be a devastating blow for the Austrian army.
Now, Archduke Karl faced only two choices: continue the attack and launch the most fierce assault, hoping to capture Turin. If successful, all crises would end. Occupying Turin would also justify this counterattack in the eyes of the Austrian Emperor.
Alternatively, he could retreat immediately while his main force was intact. There would be no danger, as the French troops inside Turin were already at their wit's end and unlikely to pursue. However, this was a dilemma for Archduke Karl. Choosing to retreat would certainly lead to demands for accountability for defeat. At best, he might be stripped of his military rank. At worst, he could lose his life. But if he could defeat the French, capture Turin, he would be a hero of the Austrian army.
"No, I cannot fail. This time, with two hundred thousand troops attacking, the whole world is watching! I must achieve something, even if it's just taking Turin," Archduke Karl thought to himself. He believed this was the only way to justify himself to Austria and to the world.
Inside Turin, Napoleon, General Moro, and General Lannes were also discussing the situation.
"Consul, the Austrian attack is weakening. They are almost at their breaking point. However, our soldiers are also exhausted. The total casualties of killed and seriously wounded have exceeded sixteen thousand," General Moro reported.
Sixteen thousand casualties were almost half of the entire garrison of Turin. Even the remaining soldiers were probably exhausted. In this situation, the French army would be pushed to the brink.
"Ah..." Napoleon sighed heavily upon hearing this.
"Have the soldiers sent to seek help from Miura?" Napoleon asked, rubbing his forehead.
"Consul, they have already been sent out. Based on their marching speed, Miura's reinforcements should arrive in about six or seven days," General Moro reported to Napoleon.
"That's good. Moro, inform everyone immediately. Order the entire army to hold out for another seven days. During these seven days, we will defend Tortona and wait for reinforcements to arrive," Napoleon said in a solemn voice.
"Yes, Your Excellency!" Moro saluted and replied.
...
Meanwhile, outside Rome.
"Boom!" The sound of cannons echoed as the French bombarded Rome.
Although the French and Austrian armies were currently battling it out in Tortona, the French forces outside Rome continued their assault.
Inside the French command headquarters, Roland and Mirella watched with interest as French soldiers attacked the city.
"Philip is holding up quite well! Even now, he's still holding on," Roland remarked, looking through his telescope at Rome not far away.
"That's because of Karl's counterattack. Philip has been holding out, waiting for Karl to capture Tortona and come to his aid. But even so, he's barely holding on. Our soldiers have already breached the city, and I believe that with three more days, I can capture Rome," Mirella confidently said. In his eyes, Rome was already within his grasp.
"Report! General Mirella, urgent military intelligence from Tortona," just as Mirella imagined capturing Philip alive, a messenger suddenly burst into Mirella's command post, his expression anxious as he spoke to Mirella.
"Tortona!" At the news, Mirella's expression changed drastically. He quickly walked up to the messenger and snatched the military intelligence from his hand.
As he looked at the orders in his hand, Mirella's face turned pale. The more he looked, the more alarmed he became.
"What's wrong?" Davu asked curiously beside him. He was puzzled by what could possibly cause a lieutenant general to panic.
"It's an order from Consul Napoleon. He demands that we immediately dispatch reinforcements to support Tortona as soon as possible," Mirella said as he looked at the orders.
"What? It's this urgent?" Davu's expression also became tense upon hearing Mirella's words.
Having served under Napoleon for so long, he naturally understood Napoleon's personality. He was someone who never backed down. For him to actively seek reinforcements meant that the situation in Tortona had become extremely dangerous.
"Quick! Gather the troops and prepare to support Tortona," Mirella and Davu both had the same thought in their hearts at that moment.
"I'll lead my Central Cavalry Division to support first. Then, let Desai lead the newly formed 90,000-strong army to follow. Davu, you stay here and continue to surround Rome," Mirella said to Davu.
"Alright. Under the circumstances, that's our best course of action," Davu nodded in agreement. Although he also wanted to lead troops to support Napoleon, leaving Rome unattended was not an option.
"Roland, you're coming with me," Mirella then turned to Roland and said.
"Yes, Uncle Mirella," Roland replied seriously. He understood the urgency of the situation.
Whether in France or for the Bonaparte family, Napoleon was an indispensable leader and a crucial figure. If anything were to happen to him, it would spell disaster for France and jeopardize the nascent Bonaparte family's rise. Therefore, Napoleon's safety was paramount. Upon receiving Napoleon's orders, Mirella immediately led his cavalry to support Tortona.
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