readx;? Looking at Metternich beside him, the Imperial War Minister Field Marshal Count Lassi also stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty the Emperor, I wonder if you have thought about the issue of removing Archduke Charles from the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Front. After all www.biquge.info, it is a major event to change generals in battle, and it is also related to the life and death of tens of thousands of soldiers on the front line. ”

After a pause, Count Lassi continued in his hoarse voice, "To tell you the truth, I agree with His Excellency Metternich that I do not agree with the removal of Archduke Charles from his military position. Although it is said that Archduke Charles retreated again and again on the German battlefield, I dare to guarantee that with the military quality of Archduke Charles, there is no general in the emperor who can compare with him. Moreover, most of the high-ranking generals in the emperor are veterans around seventy years old like Marshal Wilmzer, and most of the war levels have stagnated during the Seven Years' War twenty years ago. ”

"I don't think there is any need to discuss this matter, I have made up my mind, and Archduke Charles must be removed from office. Emperor Francis waved his hand and sat down on a chair in his office: "Now that the 50,000 troops on the front line have been deployed in Munich, I am ready to send another 50,000 soldiers to support the Munich front." ”

"But Your Majesty, the total number of troops that the empire can mobilize is only more than 70,000 people, which is the last military force of the empire as a reserve legion. In the event of a sudden change in this war, the Empire will no longer have any power to fight back. Count Lassi said.

Francis II was stunned for a moment, and then continued with a blank face: "As for the commander of this support force, who does the Minister of War think will be competent among the many generals?"

Count Lassi knew that there was no point in saying anything more, so he could only sigh, and then tried his best to find in his mind the general who was capable of taking up the important position. After thinking for a while, he slowly replied: "Since Your Majesty has made up his mind, then I suggest that Field Marshal Umsel, who has rich combat experience, be the commander, and General Hollande, who has excellent military qualities, should go out as the marshal's assistant, so that perhaps our army can have more chances of victory." ”

Francis II nodded: "Then it is decided, and when Marshal Umsel's 50,000 reinforcements arrive in Munich, he will immediately take full control of the army under Archduke Charles and assume the post of commander-in-chief." As for the arrival of reinforcements, Archduke Charles will temporarily handle military affairs. So that's it for today's meeting, you all go down."

As everyone bowed according to the royal etiquette, and then slowly retreated, Francis II raised his head and looked at the oil painting of Empress Teresa during the Seven Years' War hanging on the wall, and couldn't help but let out an exclamation: "More than twenty years ago, the Austrian army fought against Frederick the Great of Prussia under the leadership of Marshal Daun, and won three of the four bloody battles, and beat the Prussians to the point of losing their armor. If Marshal Dawn is still there。。。。。。。 ”

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, this is no longer the time of Marshal Daun or Frederick the Great. Metternich bowed at the door, and then turned to leave.

。。。。。。。。

At the beginning of July, Field Marshal Umsel's 50,000 reinforcements had not yet departed, and the results of the Austrian Empire's treatment of Archduke Charles were already spreading on the Munich front. Of course, almost all the Austrian soldiers on the front line did not understand the dismissal of Archduke Charles, but Archduke Charles understood what his royal brother did.

In fact, Francis II did not deal with Archduke Charles in terms of punishment, but on the contrary, it was indeed in a sense the greatest protection for him.

There were only 50,000 under-equipped and demoralized remnants of the Austrian army on the Munich front, while Austria had to face an enemy of more than 100,000 French troops who had rushed to win successive battles. Could it be that Francis II could not see the disparity in strength? Moreover, he also understood that the danger of the German battlefield at this time was not comparable to that of the past, and the survival rate of Austrian officers on the battlefield was less than one-half, not to mention the two unfortunate captured marshals Alvinzi and Bolieu, who had not been heard from until now. From the current situation, it can be said that fighting the French army is mostly to death.

And Francis had to keep his brother safe no matter what, not to mention the news that his younger brother Archduke John was killed in battle in the Baden War ten years ago still makes him unforgettable. Francis naturally knew very well about the abilities of the Austrian generals, and I am afraid that when it comes to combat strategy and military quality, none of the Austrian generals can surpass Archduke Charles. But knowing this, he still sent an old marshal in his sixties like um Usel to fight, which is the best proof of this.

If it is really discussed, I am afraid that the dismissal of Archduke Charles, who has been defeated in successive battles, does not seem to be a punishment, you must know that many Austrian generals have been sent to military tribunals for trial, and there are no longer a few who have been shot. Even though Archduke Charles lost his position, the rank of general was still preserved, and besides, he was the younger brother of Emperor Francis, and it was only a matter of time before he would lead the troops to battle in Japan and be promoted to marshal.

Therefore, Archduke Charles did not have the slightest sorrow after seeing the emperor's order, but at this time, I am afraid that Archduke Charles could not be allowed to put his mind on the dismissal order. In mid-July, before Austrian reinforcements could be felt, nearly 130,000 French troops, who had just rested for a period in Augsburg, immediately marched into the Munich area.

However, the Austrian army also deployed heavy defenses in the seven fortified fortresses around Munich, namely Mesach, Orchen, Dachau, Gemering, Garchen, Ashaim, and Planeg, so that Brion did not attack directly in order to reduce casualties, but quickly surrounded Munich, and temporarily stationed troops to discuss countermeasures to capture Munich.

Inside the temporary command of the French army.

"By the 14th, our army had completed the strategic plan of encirclement in the Munich area. Bernadotte's 1st Division was deployed in the vicinity of Mesach and Orchen to control its important passages, and Davout's 3rd Division was responsible for controlling the Dachau fortress in the northeast corner of Munich. The Jubert and Nala divisions were responsible for the blockade of Gemering and Planeg respectively, while the 40,000-strong men of the Sirte Regiment controlled the communication arteries of Garchen and Ashaim in the east, completely blocking the entrance and exit of the Austrian army in Munich. ”

MacDonald's whip continued to move across the map on the wall, saying, "Now, if these seven fortresses are not cleared, they will inevitably become the greatest obstacle to our army's attack on Munich." According to reliable information from our army's intelligence personnel, there are more than 30,000 Austrian troops deployed in these fortresses, and there are 100 artillery pieces in total, and the combat strength of the guards cannot be underestimated. In addition, Austrian Field Marshal Umssel had already led 50,000 elites to support the Austrian army in the direction of Munich. Of course, Archduke Charles has been removed from his post because of repeated defeats. ”

"What, after these few months of losing troops, the Austrian Empire can still draw 50,000 elites?" Bernadotte looked at the map, still a little incredulous.

Brion nodded and said, "I think this should be the last military force of the Austrian Empire, and it can be said that whether our Rhine Army can enter Austria, or even break through Vienna, will depend on the victory or defeat of this battle." Soul, what is your opinion? ”

"Yes. Soult stood up and saluted Briand, then picked up a pencil and pointed it on the map, saying: "I don't think we should rush to capture Munich first, and continue the siege with sufficient forces for the time being, and we must not let the Austrians escape." As for the 50,000 reinforcements against Field Marshal Umsel, I think that priority should be given to concentrating forces to destroy them, so that they may quickly annihilate the enemy's living forces in the field. ”

"Siege and reinforcements?!" Listening to Soul's thoughts, Brion casually said these four words that had a profound impact on his previous life. In the previous life, Brion remembered that the siege of the city and reinforcement were the tactics used by the ** army to deal with ** during the Chinese Liberation War, and in the end, it was only through field battles that not only eliminated the ** living forces, but also collapsed the defenders in the city, avoiding the tough battle with high losses and low returns.

Of course, at this time of the 18th century, under the rigid army tactics of European countries, this idea did not exist in the minds of the siege people. Brion, however, was also particularly interested in new ideas for the operation of Sirte.

Brion touched the mustache on his face and said with a smile, "Sirte, go on." ”

Soult nodded and continued: "I think the main attacking force of this strategic plan will be my Baden Corps, and I will send two infantry divisions and a cavalry division of nearly 30,000 people to fight with 50,000 Austrian reinforcements. Only one infantry division was left to defend the position, so that the Austrians would not flee. At the same time, I also hope to get the cooperation of the Nala Division and the Rubel Division to besiege the Umser's division from three sides, and fight another siege and annihilation battle!"

Turning his head, Soult looked at Bernadotte and Davout apologetically and said, "Then I will bother the 1st and 3rd Divisions to spend more energy to replenish the encirclement line." ”

Brion was extremely pleased to see Sirte, but he didn't expect that after a few years, Sirte's military quality would grow so fast. In the past, Sirte was only a middle-level officer at Brion's side, and his status was far inferior to that of Davout or Bernadotte, and at most he was in the echelon with Desai. It wasn't until Brion was later discovered that he had the ability to train recruits, so he was entrusted with training 80,000 recruits from his fiefdom into an army. It is no exaggeration to say that at least half of the French army under Brion at this time was made by Soulte, and many officers can also be said to be Soulte's protégés.

For example, the four divisions under the command of Sirte consisted of more than 40,000 men from three infantry divisions and one cavalry division. The commander of the cavalry division was Colonel Ney, while the commanders of the other three infantry divisions were Marmont, Suchet, and Monsay, respectively.