Chapter 142: Counter To Surprise (1)
There was a common misconception people had about ambushes.
It was the belief that the best time to secretly attack the enemy was around 1-2 AM.
From my own experience and what I had learned at the academy, conducting an ambush at that time wasnt such a great choice.
It was better than ambushing in broad daylight when everything was clearly visible, but
During the time when the moonlight would softly shine, soldiers and officers would be on guard and always tense about a possible enemy attack, leading to frequent unexpected failures.
However, around 4:30-6 AM, as the sun would begin to rise and the day would gradually brighten, people tended to let their guard down as it was also the time they started to wake up.
This would lead to a significant number of failures in guard operations.
Thats why I had moved the wake-up time an hour earlier to enable movement during this easier time for an ambush, instead of napping during the major break.
Sir, Sir. Its time to wake up.
As soon as I heard Charlotte waking me up, I immediately woke up and got out of bed.
She brought a bucket of water, dampened a towel, and gently washed my face, arms, legs, and back.
I said there was no need for her to do this much, but since I had saved Charlottes family from debtors, she seemed intent on repaying the favor.
From the day of deployment, she began washing me every evening and morning, and she tended to stay as close to me as possible.
After finishing, she smiled brightly and said,
All done, Sir.
Thank you.
And when I had finished dressing in my armor with her help, I heard the soldiers outside my tent grumbling in annoyed voices.
Damn, again, in full armor for the march today! Is this a joke or what?!
Corporal Max, you crazy bastard. Were near the Division Commanders tent! Everyone can hear you! Do you want to get chewed out, starting with the Division Commander himself? Do you know what kind of person our Division Commander is?
I-Ill correct it!
Crazy fool! If you want to die, do it alone. Why involve this poor aide?
I heard everything, but honestly, even as a Division Commander, marching in armor is truly a miserable task.
Unless it was outright disobedience or refusal to follow orders, I should just pretend I didnt hear it.
As I was about to leave the tent to start another long march, I heard the sentries blowing their trumpets.
Ambush from the forest nearby!
Ambush! Ambush! Each squad, prepare for the ambush! Rally around your squad leaders!
If you dont want to die, hurry up and grab a spear! Those who havent worn armor yet put it on first!
I expected that we would be attacked while marching.
So, to prevent the worst-case scenario, I chose paths and locations where at least five people could pass comfortably and where more troops could be arrayed, even if the paths were narrow.
Instead of an ambush during the march, a tactic successful 200 years ago, I had chosen this method.
This tent is the safest place, so Charlotte, you hide here. And I will go to command the soldiers immediately.
After saying this, I left the tent to command the strategy to repel the ambush by the Count of Ticino, which came from a slightly different direction than I expected.
Maybe it was because I strictly instructed to march in full gear and warned the officers daily to expect an ambush.
Usually, a sudden ambush would cause great confusion among the troops, but our divisions officers, including the squad leaders, were handling it quite well.
Squad assembly! The Swiss bastards are approaching from the right!
Dont run out rashly. Form a defensive line! Follow the squad leaders!
Knights will stand in the front with spears, so the first row, make way!
At this rate, after this ambush would be over, I didnt have to gather the officers and sigh, telling them that I was disappointed.
And just in time, Lieutenant Colonel Heinkel, who was on duty command that day, began to hurry towards me.
Lieutenant Colonel Heinkel reporting! The size of the enemy is unclear, but they are attacking from the forest on the right side of our unit.
From ancient times to the present, the best places to hide soldiers had been behind cliffs or in forests, and the Swiss had not broken this formula this time either
Additionally, it was a bit regrettable that Heinkel, as the Duty Commander and person responsible for guarding, hadnt accurately determined the size of the enemy forces
Honestly, in an era without modern technologies like radar or communication equipment, it was practically impossible to determine the enemys strength during an ambush.
Given that the entire division was caught off guard by the ambush, issuing the correct defensive orders was the best he could have done.
So, I patted the shoulder of Heinkel, who was nearly 15 years my senior, in encouragement.
Thank you for responding as best as you could. Ill be sure to remember your name.
In reality, I remembered the names of all the officers of lieutenant colonel rank and above in the division, but saying that Id remember his name was a roundabout way of saying Id give him a good performance evaluation.
Then go immediately to the Deputy Division Commander and tell him to take charge of the rear command, and I will head to where the ambush is happening.
Understood, but isnt it dangerous for you, the Division Commander, to go directly to the combat zone?
Its true that its dangerous, but what can I do? Its not the front line, so even if ambushed, we can somehow hold out, but the units facing the enemy head-on will be in disarray. Have you forgotten who I am?
At that, Heinkel spoke with a voice filled with respect.
Arent you Division Commander Yaeger, the Khan Slayer? Understood, I will immediately bring the Deputy Division Commander and convey your order to take charge of the rear command.
Thus, I ran at full speed to the right flank, which was about a few hundred meters away, without even mounting a horse.
Unlike other units that could respond properly to a few ambush alert orders because they werent directly attacked, the state of our men engaged in combat with the Swiss soldiers wasnt completely disastrous, but they couldnt even properly form a formation, like a department store display during a clearance sale.
Our 7th Division soldiers were fighting in a jumbled state against them.
Moreover, the Swiss soldiers, despite ambushing, were attacking in a somewhat systematic formation, causing us to gradually be pushed back.
You slaves of the Empire, taste the spears of us, free Swiss brothers!
Die, perish! You wont even touch our independence and freedom.
Return to your Empire, you pig bastards!
Damn, if I hadnt told them to be fully equipped even while marching, ready to break into battle at any moment
A battalion might have already been annihilated.
But now that I was here, their ambush was as good as failed.
Then, after catching my breath, I shouted loudly,
Attention! Each infantry unit engaged in combat, start reforming your formations now! While the infantry are reorganizing, the knights will push back the enemy with swords, maces, or halberds! Execute!
Following the command, the nearby infantry companies and squads quickly retreated and reorganized their formations.
The knights, clad in full plate armor, held back the Swiss soldiers with their secondary weapons sheathed at their waists.
Moreover, if we couldnt hold on now, the situation would turn very unfavorable for us.
Brave and honorable knights of the Empire! We must hold on while the infantry reorganizes their formation! So, to turn the tide of this battle, I, your Division Commander, will fight alongside you. Resist with all your might!
After saying that, I also drew my sword and joined the knights.
I targeted and thrust my sword at the neck of a Swiss soldier in front of me who seemed to be somewhat of a higher rank.
Damn Swiss bastards! It seems you havent abandoned the habits of your ancestors, who used to rob merchants crossing the mountains. Your deceased ancestors in heaven must be applauding, seeing how well youve continued their legacy!
Continuing, I cut down the enemy soldiers one by one with the body of a Division Commander and finally gave the order,
Send an infantry battalion here, and crossbowmen, shoot your arrows relentlessly towards the forest!
They ambushed as they pleased coming in, but they would leave with at least an arm less when they would go.
That was the Korean generosity I learned living in South Korea.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m