(Chapter to)
The Battle of Munich caused Austria's military strength to be greatly planned. The country's 14 regular legions lost 8, and 5 were dragged to Slovenia, and only 1 was deployed in the country. Although 10 new legions have been formed, most of them have not yet formed effective combat effectiveness. If the French army storms Austria at this time, they will have no troops to stop the French army from advancing.
However, perhaps because of their better luck, the 88th Army consumed a large amount of strategic materials during the Battle of Munich, and the transportation line was too long. In addition, the soldiers were very tired after the war. For a time, The 88th Army was also unable to launch a new offensive. In order to deliver the materials to the front line as soon as possible, Xiao Jie even ordered the Air Force's airship unit to transport materials to the Munich area, but even so, it would take at least 4 to 5 days to collect all kinds of combat materials. As a last resort, Xiao Jie had to order the 88th Army to take advantage of this time to rest and reorganize. After the rest, the 2nd Iberian Army can basically participate in the battle, and then launch a final attack on Austria.
Perhaps due to the stimulation of the Battle of Munich, the Iberian 1st Army and the Iberian 3rd Army also achieved good results in Slovenia. After the 3rd Iberian Army arrived in Italy, the two legions joined forces to launch a fierce attack on Slovenia. At that time, Slovenia had only 4 Austrian armies, and most of them were not full, and reinforcements were still on their way. Seizing this opportunity, the Iberian 1st and 3rd Army launched a fierce battle with the Austrian army around the Ljubljana area, and finally drove all the Austrian army out of South Slovenia. The Guards Corps did have some combat effectiveness, and if the Sava River blocked it, the Iberian 1st and 3rd Corps might have already broken through the Austrian defense line and attacked the Austrian hinterland from the south.
On April 4, Archduke Charles and Hillier fled back to Vienna in embarrassment. The Austrian army of 8 legions now only has more than 80,000 remnants and defeated generals.
"What's going on? Why were my 8 legions beaten by the French army in such a short period of time, leaving only so few people left?" Francis I roared at Duke Charles and Hillier.
Both of them lowered their heads, not daring to meet the anger of Francis I. After a while, Grand Duke Charles saw that Francis I was about to lose his temper, and explained: "Your Majesty, the strength of the 88th Army has completely exceeded our expectations. In addition, France has used airships to participate in the war this time. The loss is so heavy." The French airship troops did make a lot of contributions to this victory, and its powerful power also shocked Grand Duke Charles. He is now considering supporting it after this crisis has passed. The army is fully committed to the development of this new weapon.
"Then what do you think we should do next? As soon as Bavaria failed, our country was completely exposed to the French army. Now that the army is gone, what can we do to resist the French army's attack?" Francis I suppressed the rage in his heart. Angry, he asked angrily.
"According to our intelligence, the French 88th Army was also consumed a lot in this war, and it probably needs a period of rest before continuing to fight. I think we still have enough time to deploy." Grand Duke Charles continued.
"How to deploy? Do you think that in just a few days, those newly formed legions will be able to come in handy?" Francis I said in a deep voice. Judging from the current situation, sending those newly formed legions to the battlefield has no intention of courting death.
"Your Majesty, maybe we can temporarily transfer some troops from the south." Hillier suggested.
"South? But the French army's attack in the south is also very fierce. The four legions deployed in Slovenia before have suffered more than 50,000 casualties. If there is no blockage of the Sava River, the French army would have already attacked the hinterland of our country from the south. It is." Francis I retorted. Although he doesn't know much about military affairs, he can still distinguish such a simple situation.
"Give up the western part of the empire and the northern part of the Danube?" Francis I was a little bit reluctant. That's a fairly large territory.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. We can take it back at any time after the war is won." Grand Duke Charlie persuaded. Just can they really win? I'm afraid even he himself is not sure.
"This is the only way to go now. Which legion shall we send back?" Francis I compromised.
"Imperial Guard Corps." Grand Duke Charles and Hillier said almost simultaneously.
"Then the strength of the southern army has been cut in half? If the French army aggressively attacks, I am afraid that the southern army will not be able to withstand it." Francis I said worriedly.
"In addition to the Imperial Guard Corps, we also have 5 legions with a total of 150,000 troops on the north bank of the Sava River, which should be able to stop the French attack. If the Imperial Guard Corps returns to defense, we can be on the north bank of the Sava River. The new line of defense is deploying 220,000 troops, so that we have a chance of victory." Grand Duke Charlie explained.
In the end, Francis I compromised, and once again handed over the heavy responsibility of resisting the French invasion to the hands of Grand Duke Charles.
"By the way, why hasn't the Russian offensive started yet? What the **** is that old Kutuzov doing?" Grand Duke Charlie complained angrily. Now the fate of Austria can be said to be completely in the hands of Russia. If Russia can defeat the French army in Prussia, then the war will turn around. If Russia fails, it will be almost impossible for Austria to win. It is indeed absurd that the fate of one's own country is in the hands of a country that was once an enemy country. At this time, Grand Duke Charles has forgotten how Austria pushed Russia out of the Balkan Peninsula. What kind of scenery he was at that time, what about now? He was in such a mess. If Russia wants to take this opportunity to avenge the Balkans, the situation in Austria will be very dangerous. However, at this critical moment, Alexander did not dare to do this, because if Austria fails again, then Russia will face the powerful French army alone. Perhaps relying on favorable geographical factors, Russia can withstand the French attack, but it is certain that it will suffer heavy losses. Therefore, Alexander can only cooperate with Austria at this time to fight against France. As for the enmity between Russia and Austria, it can only be resolved in the future.
"Your Majesty, the 88th Army has successfully damaged the Austrian army in Bavaria, and now we have controlled the entire Bavaria. Will we continue to attack Austria or deal with the Russian attack? Kutuzov's 400,000 troops They have all reached the border between Prussia and Poland, and another 200,000 troops have also arrived in Minsk. Should we temporarily slow down our offensive against Austria and focus on Russia? I don't have the strength to launch an attack." Eke suggested to Xiao Jie.
Xiao Jie nodded: "Well, the 88th Army will continue to maintain pressure on Austria, and the Iberian 2nd Army will not move for the time being. If there is a change in the war in Prussia, it will immediately go north to support. In addition, the main force of the air force has also begun to go to Prussia. Shift and focus on the Russian army."
Eke nodded ~www.mtlnovel.com~ and went to give Xiao Jie's order.
At the same time, Kutuzov of Gorzow, who had set up his headquarters on the Warta River, was also a little bored. His 400,000 troops finally reached the border between Pubo and Poland today. But what awaited him was the solid defense line of the French army. He knows how powerful the French army is in terms of defense. Although there are less than 300,000 French troops on the opposite side, he knows that if he wants to break through the French army's defense line with 400,000 troops in his hands, unless God shows up , otherwise it is absolutely impossible. Thinking of this, he couldn't help cursing the King of Prussia. He was the most active in this war, but his army was so vulnerable that it failed in just 12 days. If it could be dragged until his army arrived, maybe the situation would not be the same. Because in positional warfare, the trump card in his hand-the Cossack cavalry was useless at all. The powerful Cossack cavalry could not break through the defensive network formed by the powerful firepower of the French army.
Kutuzov sometimes even hoped that Russia would not be involved in the war, but the war had reached such a level that it was beyond his control. Even if he doesn't launch an attack now, after the strength of the French army has gathered to a certain level, they will definitely launch a fierce attack without mercy. By that time, the situation of the Russian army will be even more dangerous. But in terms of attack, it is hard to say whether the Russian army can break through the French army's defense line, because it is not certain if a miracle happens. However, what he can be sure of is that the casualties of the Russian army will definitely be very large, which is too large for him to imagine.