Chapter 107: Francois Eastern Expedition (4)
When I boldly proposed an idea to General Patton, who had four stars, all eyes in the vicinity turned towards me.
Given the current situation, with 10,000 enemy troops entering Chabenne Castle, they could strike us from behind at any time as we pass by the castle.
The garrison inside the castle posed a significant variable to our strategy of pillaging and advancing, making it a situation where everyone had to rack their brains.
It was no surprise they were shocked when I said I would quickly come up with a proper strategy.
“If it’s not an unreasonable opinion, I won’t reprimand you, so go ahead and speak.”
“Thank you, General.”
So I pointed to the map of Chabenne Castle and its surrounding area on the bulletin board inside the meeting tent with a baton and spoke.
“Firstly, I assume no general in our eastern expeditionary force would suggest a strategy to attack Chabenne Castle.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Currently, we were moving diagonally along the border of the Empire towards the east of Francois, and we could receive ample supplies from the Empire via other routes, excluding Chabenne Castle.
On our way to the Crecy Plains, where we would confront the enemy, we could procure some food by pillaging the villages.
For logistical reasons, there was no need to exert ourselves to capture Chabenne Castle.
In such a situation, even though we outnumbered the enemy by 5 to 6 times, there was no guarantee that we would successfully besiege and capture the castle.
Even if we succeed, attacking a castle garrisoned by over 10,000 troops would inevitably result in the loss of thousands of our soldiers.
“Therefore, if we proceed conventionally and disperse into brigade units, we could be defeated by the 10,000 Francois troops. Even if it reduces the number of villages we can pillage by half, it would be better to move in division units to avoid unnecessary losses.”
This would halve the scope of villages and areas we could pillage and decrease the damage we could inflict on the enemy.
This would make it difficult for me to propose, as a Brigade Commander in post-war negotiations, to end the war in exchange for the reconstruction of the eastern region, which could take an indeterminate amount of time, instead of war reparations.
Our planned advance route encompassed all the villages where even the minimum local supplies could be provided to the massive Francois army.
Halving the scope of our pillaging would mean an improvement in their food supply situation.
Thus, the reduction in the soldiers’ stamina and morale would be minimized, preventing any hindrance in achieving victory.
“In my opinion, instead of that approach, it would be better to provoke those 10,000 defenders to break out of the castle willingly so we can achieve victory before a full-scale battle ensues.”
Upon hearing this, General Patton looked at me and spoke in a serious tone.
“Well, if we set up a bait to lure them, they would be forced to move as we desire. So, what do you plan to use to draw them out?”
If Duke Benner or other Generals were here, they might say,
“It’s important to wear down the enemy’s morale and stamina, but there’s no need to attempt to bait over 10,000 enemies.”
Moreover, offering tempting bait to the enemy was akin to providing them with a situation advantageous for their victory.
While success could be a huge win, failure would mean weakening our own morale and strength before a full-on confrontation with the Francois Republic and the Reich Empire.
True to his liking for assaults and reckless offensives, he did not shy away from a challenging proposition.
“My 12th Brigade will volunteer to be the bait.”
Upon hearing this, General Patton patted my shoulder and laughed like a madman.
“You’re crazy! Everyone else, including other generals, would fight in a more advantageous position with superior numbers by any means necessary, but you deliberately opt for a perilous battle?”
Half the generals, except General Patton, seemed ready to criticize me, their eyes wide and mouths opening.
But perhaps they couldn’t dismiss the words of a Brigade Commander who had been awarded the Golden Knight’s Sword, especially given the commander’s positive attitude.
They all adopted a ‘let’s hear him out’ attitude.
The rest, considering my numerous achievements so far, looked at me with eyes full of expectation for some revolutionary strategy.
I pointed to the area near Hattin on the map with a pointer and said,
“There’s a place called Hattin about three days from here, flanked by forests and backed by a fairly deep river. It is a natural fortress.”
It was a difficult location for building a castle, so the Francois Republic hadn’t built one there.
But based on the reconnaissance data, the terrain seemed perfect for a brigade-sized force to create a field fort and defend.
“It would be highly advantageous for defensive battles. Please continue.”
“We’ll move together with the Eastern Expeditionary Army until here, and my brigade, marching at the rear, will immediately build a fortress in Hattin upon arrival. This will inevitably draw the enemy to pursue us.”
The leadership and nobility of the Francois Republic, having been excommunicated by the Pope, must be feeling utterly desperate and disheartened.
They must be fervently wishing, perhaps even conducting rituals thrice daily, for a victory over the Reich Empire’s army in this war.
In such a situation, even if it was better than having no fools at all, building and holding a field fortress would be less effective.
Hearing that we were merely around 4,000, the commander leading 10,000 men in the castle would undoubtedly find it intolerable.
Because, although we were only about 4,000, the fact that we took the initiative and achieved victory would boost the morale of our troops.
They would be desperate to seize even a small victory.
“Indeed, those snail-eating Francois Republic fellows, with their morale in the dumps due to the Papal excommunication! And now they’re presented with an opportunity to win against the legendary Peter Yaeger of the Empire? How could they resist that?! Hahaha!”
His personality was as bold as one would expect from a man fond of charges, but his words summarized everything I wanted to say.
“But if you fail, it will severely damage our own morale. How will you address that?”
From my perspective, once we properly reached Hattin, it was highly unlikely that our brigade would be defeated.
We have won several wars in the past, even under much more disadvantageous and perilous conditions.
From the information I gathered about the Francois, they almost religiously believed in the knights’ charges, similar to the French army during the Hundred Years War.
I believed there was practically no chance they wouldn’t fall into the trap I’d designed.
Still, since the General set the stage, let’s make a grand statement.
“If the General approves the operation, even if it means dying here, I assure you of victory. So please, do not consider the possibility of defeat.”
Upon hearing this, General Patton nodded his head.
Additionally, although I didn’t mention it, even if we face total annihilation in defeat, strategically, it was still more beneficial to focus on pillaging the East as per the original plan, but under our current circumstances, the strategy I proposed was not just the best but the optimal one.
I never even entertained the thought of defeat.
“Alright, then we’ll station the 12th Brigade in Hattin, and as per the original plan, the expeditionary force will disperse by brigade and completely sweep through the enemy territory!”
Upon hearing this, the generals nodded in agreement.
“But no matter how much I, the commander, think about it…”
General Patton said with a broad smile, drawing a line 1.3 times longer than the planned route on the map.
“Considering Major General Yaeger’s sacrifice, merely plundering the east isn’t enough! Shouldn’t we plunder up to the enemy’s capital, Goblen, and then return to Kresi Plains?!”
Considering the time it would take for the enemy to reach Kresi Plains, to cover that distance and ensure ample rest, the soldiers would have to plunder and march, squeezing out every bit of their strength for the next two months.
Essentially, it meant they must march almost every waking hour.
Such tactics were truly befitting of the ‘mad’ commander, who loved swift maneuvering and marching.
The generals, initially wanting to object, sighed in resignation, realizing that, militarily speaking and in terms of the commander’s authority, Patton’s policy was indeed the best course of action.
“Then let’s trust in Major General Yaeger and move not just according to the original plan but even beyond, cornering Francois! Let’s hurry, everyone.”
Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m fre𝒆webnov(e)l.com