Chapter 90: Prince Wendischgrätz
After receiving such a report, Napoleon finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least the French had made a good start, which laid the foundation for future operations.
Next, according to the planned strategy, they would advance towards Milan. Two infantry divisions, one cavalry brigade, and two heavy artillery brigades on the northern front should be sufficient to counter the Austrian forces in the region.
Subsequently, a steady stream of battle reports poured in from the front lines. Through these reports, Napoleon gradually pieced together the course of the war.
In this battle, the French lost approximately two thousand men, while the Austrians suffered over twelve thousand casualties, six times that of the French. Additionally, the Austrian army lost a significant number of cannons in this battle.
Now, the only chance for the Austrian army might be to utilize the well-established fortifications to confront the French. If they could make the French pay a heavy price by using these defenses, perhaps they could turn the tide.
However, although the Austrian fortifications were sturdy, the French heavy artillery units were not to be underestimated. The final outcome remained to be seen.
In Milan, within the Austrian Staff Headquarters, numerous fortifications had been built since Austria captured the city. Their intention was to turn Milan into a stronghold to restrain French infiltration into Italy.
Inside the Austrian Staff Headquarters in Milan, General Vasiliev was furious. He had just learned that the carefully constructed border defenses of Austria had been breached within a single morning, which left him extremely dissatisfied. It was known that tensions between France and Austria had been escalating.
The Imperial Army had been ordered to fortify Milan to resist the French advance. But now, it seemed that the defensive line he had painstakingly built had little effect.
Vasiliev was not foolish. He knew that Milan, located in the northwest of Italy, was closer to France than Austria. Facing the full force of the French army, the Austrian forces were at a distinct disadvantage. Moreover, the main Austrian forces were currently stationed in Venice.
Traveling from Venice to Milan would take a considerable amount of time. During this period, Vasiliev could only adopt a defensive posture.
Therefore, he hoped to make the French suffer significant losses in front of the sturdy Austrian defenses to compensate for their disadvantage.
The strategic position of Milan was extremely important. It served as the gateway to northern Italy and also because it was located north of Genoa.
Once the French attacked, Vasiliev could capture Genoa, thereby cutting off the French army's retreat route. Therefore, as long as Vasiliev firmly held Milan, the French would not dare to act recklessly.
"Immediately send a war report to Archduke Karl, requesting him to send reinforcements as soon as possible. I need at least six infantry divisions and two heavy artillery brigades," Vasiliev ordered after thinking for a while.
The battle reports from the frontline had already arrived, and Vasiliev received the news that he had lost over twelve thousand soldiers. This undoubtedly left their defenses vulnerable, and he needed reinforcements to hold onto Milan.
"Yes, Your Excellency," nodded a communications officer.
Subsequently, Vasiliev personally drafted a telegram and sent it to Vienna for reinforcements.
Although they had been prepared beforehand, the Austrian forces in the Milan area were too few. They would be at a severe disadvantage in the war. Therefore, he needed more reinforcements and more technical weapons such as cannons.
Vienna, the capital of Austria, inside the Schönbrunn Palace. Emperor Franz had just woken up.
The war broke out on the morning of the 23rd, but it was already the morning of the 25th when the news reached Vienna. At this moment, Franz and the Austrian government ministers were still asleep.
Since the reforms in the French government and Napoleon's declaration of war on Austria, the Austrian government had been in a state of high tension. However, the French army had yet to launch an attack, and the Austrian army was not yet ready, lacking the strength to launch an offensive for the time being, which meant that the actual war did not immediately begin.
But Prince Windischgrätz had remained vigilant, fearing that the French might launch a sudden attack. However, being of advanced age, Prince Windischgrätz soon couldn't hold on.
On this day, the 25th, he was sound asleep. However, the urgent knocking at the door woke him up.
"What's happening?" Prince Windischgrätz, awakened by the knocking, quickly raised his head and asked.
"Your Highness, war has broken out. The French have launched an offensive," shouted the aide outside the door.
"Damn it! Prepare the carriage. I'll go to Schönbrunn Palace immediately to meet His Majesty," Prince Windischgrätz said as he got up, shaking off his sleepiness. After dressing quickly, he boarded the carriage and headed to Schönbrunn Palace.
By the time dawn broke, Prince Windischgrätz had arrived at Schönbrunn Palace and seen the battle report from the Milan battlefield.
The Austrian forces had been at a disadvantage from the beginning of the war, which made Prince Windischgrätz's expression extremely grim.
Subsequently, a telegram requesting reinforcements arrived from the commander of Milan, which made Prince Windischgrätz realize that the situation in Milan seemed worse than he had anticipated. This meant that it would be even more difficult for the Austrian army to win this war.
After dawn, Emperor Franz II finally arrived at the palace, and Prince Windischgrätz was able to report the latest situation to him.
"Your Majesty, the war began in the early hours of the day before yesterday. The French have deployed over a hundred thousand troops and launched attacks on Milan," Prince Windischgrätz reported.
"Have we managed to withstand the French assaults?" Emperor Franz II asked. Though headstrong, he wasn't foolish. He knew that the Austrian forces in Milan were too weak and that the situation in this war might be dire.
"Your Majesty, the French assault was extremely fierce. They deployed a large number of heavy artillery pieces, with dozens of cannons over 18-pound caliber alone. Our meticulously constructed defenses suffered severe damage under the intense bombardment, and our army suffered heavy casualties. Thus, we were unable to withstand the French onslaught. By daybreak, the French had breached our border defenses and were advancing into our territory," Prince Windischgrätz truthfully replied.
Of course, he attributed everything to the overwhelming firepower of the French, using a large number of heavy artillery pieces. He made no mention of any shortcomings or unpreparedness on the part of the Austrian army.
Nevertheless, Emperor Franz II's expression darkened. The Austrian army was at a disadvantage, a fact that greatly embarrassed the emperor, who had vigorously pursued the war.
"Inform General Vasiliev that he must withstand the French assaults! With his fifty thousand troops and relying on strong fortifications, he should be able to achieve this. I do not wish to hear any news of Milan falling," Emperor Franz II said through gritted teeth.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prince Windischgrätz nodded.
"Furthermore, we cannot remain purely defensive. We must launch counterattacks against those Frenchmen," Emperor Franz II demanded.
"Your Majesty, our forces in the Milan region are insufficient, so we can only defend passively. However, I have already sent word to Prince Karl in Venice. It won't be long before His Highness gathers his forces to aid Milan," Prince Windischgrätz nodded in response.
"I don't care! You may launch attacks as you see fit. This is your own affair. I only want to see results!" Emperor Franz II insisted stubbornly.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Prince Windischgrätz nodded. Undoubtedly, Emperor Franz II had just presented him with another dilemma!
"However, Your Majesty, General Vasiliev has requested that we provide support to Milan. He needs a large number of troops, cannons, as well as ammunition and provisions so that Milan can endure the war for a longer period," Prince Windischgrätz added.