Napoleon II Reborn Chapter 89

"Marshal, Marshal Bernadotte refused to come to rescue us. He insisted on carrying out His Majesty's order to go south." Marshal Davout's adjutant immediately came to tell Davout after he got the news from the communication soldier who rushed back desperately. .

Davout snorted coldly, and said, "I knew that Bernadotte would die. Now it's up to us. Just wait, Bernadotte, as long as I, Davout, can get through this time." It's dangerous, you'll be there to watch." After finishing speaking, he continued to organize the defense line.

The adjutant looked at Davout's back and shook his head. He didn't expect this to happen among the marshals of the empire. Even though Bernadotte never liked Davout, he should always distinguish the time. This was the first time in Napoleon's major battle that the generals would not save each other. Since then, similar things will happen from time to time, which puts France and the French army in a very dangerous situation in the future war.

Afterwards Napoleon was very angry with Bernadotte for not coming to aid Davout and for his delay in getting to Jena - 8 miles away, they walked for 5 hours. If he arrived earlier, at least he could effectively prevent the Prussian army from fleeing and save the French army from chasing the Prussian army northward across Prussia. Napoleon said in front of a group of officers at Naumburg: "I will submit him to a court-martial..." Napoleon did not forget that it was this Bernadotte who, a few years before, had served as Sibrittani When he was the commander of the army, he was involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Napoleon's first ruling—Napoleon should have attacked him at that time, and it is too late now. Now, Bernadotte's wife, Desiree, is the sister of Joseph's wife, and this nepotism saved Bernadotte's life again.

At 11 o'clock, the situation of Davout's army deteriorated further, and the Prussian army launched a second offensive before that. More than 40,000 Prussian troops participated in this offensive. Although the advanced weapons of the French army caused very heavy casualties to the Prussian army, with their tenacious fighting spirit and superior numbers, the Prussian army broke through the French defense line several times, and brutal hand-to-hand combat took place in many positions. In terms of hand-to-hand combat, the French army is not good at it, and it often takes two people to deal with a Prussian soldier. In the end, even Davout's personal soldiers went to the battlefield, and all the Prussians were driven out of their positions. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Nearly 20,000 Prussian troops fell in front of the French army's position, and the French army also paid a price of tens of thousands.

Brunswick, the commander-in-chief of the Prussian army, was very annoyed when he saw the tenacious resistance of the French army. He had 100,000 people, and he was also the most elite 100,000 in the Prussian army. embarrassment.

After looking at the simple map, Brunswick found that the French army indeed occupied a very favorable position, and it was really a difficult nut to crack with their strange but very effective fortifications. Suddenly, his eyes fell on the left flank of the French army, which was the only relatively flat place on the French defense line, but it was also guarded by 8,000 men from the second division, the most elite of the Guards.

"Is General Blücher's attack going well?" Brunswick asked.

His chief of staff, Schulz, who was dealing with the military situation, took out a battle report and said: "General Blücher's offensive was relatively smooth. His cavalry broke through the opponent's line of defense several times, but in the end they failed under the fierce attack of the enemy's artillery. They had to retreat, but they also caused a lot of casualties to the Second Division of the French Guards, and it is estimated that the division has suffered more than half of its casualties."

"Are General Blücher's casualties heavy?" Brunswick continued to ask.

"It's still relatively small compared to other troops, but they also suffered nearly 6,000 casualties." Schultz replied.

"Tell General Blücher that I want him to completely break through the French defenses within an hour, at any cost," Brunswick ordered.

"There should be no problem. General Blücher said that as long as he launches another attack, he can completely defeat the Second Division opposite him. But the premise is that the opponent has no reinforcements." Schultz said.

"Reinforcements? Is it possible that they have reinforcements? According to the information obtained, the First French Army Corps is now heading south. Where can they get reinforcements?" Brunswick said with a sneer.

Half an hour later, the third attack of the Prussian army began. Davout clearly felt the change in the tactics of the Prussian army. The offensive of the Prussian army in the center and on the right flank was obviously much weaker than the previous attack. Davout knew that the Prussian army was planning to break through with all its strength on its left flank.

"General Mario, how many troops do we have?" Davout asked his chief of staff.

"The situation is very bad. We only have more than 25,000 people who can fight now. The staff has been reduced by 38%. If we continue like this without rescue, we won't be able to survive for long." Mario replied with some frustration .

"How is General Judan on the left wing? Can he survive this attack?" Davout asked.

Mario shook his head: "Their situation is also very bad. Under the attack of the enemy's powerful cavalry, they have suffered a lot. It is estimated that there are less than 5,000 people who can fight now. I am afraid that they cannot stop the enemy's attack. "

"Send the cavalry to support them," said Davout.

"But that's our only reserve force," Mario said.

"The terrain on the left wing is very suitable for cavalry attacks. Besides, the left wing has always been one of our weaknesses. Only by defending the left wing can we persevere."

Seeing Davout's insistence, Mario had no choice but to say nothing. He believes that under such circumstances, the Guards Corps can no longer fight anymore, and breaking out seems to be the best choice without reinforcements. And the cavalry is the most advantageous unit when breaking through the encirclement, UU reading www.uukanshu. com But Davout didn't seem to think about breaking through. As chief of staff, he could not refute Davout's decision.

The support of the cavalry regiment finally stabilized the defense line on the left wing. Although there were almost no casualties, the attack of the Prussian army was finally blocked.

At 12 o'clock the turning point came, when Moran's division of IV Corps arrived on the battlefield, reinforced the French left flank, and freed Gudin so that he could strengthen the centre. Seeing this situation, Brunswick launched an attack again and led a regiment of grenadiers to charge, but unfortunately he was hit in the head by a missile and died. Maybe God is really on the side of the French army. The Prussian army had no leader and fought on their own, and soon they were at a disadvantage. Davout also seized this opportunity to launch a counterattack, and the Prussian army, which lacked effective command, soon began to retreat.

By 12:30, the proud Prussian army had fled northwestward, disarmed and disarmed. Napoleon successfully ended the Battle of Jena by 4 pm. At 4:30, the exhausted Davout also successfully ended the Battle of Auerstadt. The French army won a complete victory in the two major battles of Jena and Auerstadt. The main force of the Prussian army was almost wiped out. The remaining nearly 40,000 troops fled wildly, without the strength to fight again. Davout defeated the main force of the 100,000-strong Prussian army with a disadvantaged force of 40,000, eliminated more than 40,000 Prussian troops, wounded thousands, captured thousands, and captured 115 cannons. A stroke of brilliance. Davout also paid a heavy price for this. More than 25,000 soldiers were killed in battle, and the number of ministries was reduced by more than 60%. In the Battle of Jena, Napoleon lost only 5%. It can be said that the Guards Corps was basically disabled after this battle, and it will probably not be able to recover its combat effectiveness for a long time.

UU Reading welcomes all book lovers to come and read, the latest, fastest, and hottest serial works are all in UU Reading!

Chapter end