Chapter 517 Fire in the backyard

Chapter 517 Fire in the backyard

pacific, west coast

Intensified by the sudden war, the actual number of Austrian troops stationed in California has exceeded 30,000. Coupled with John Cinna's mobilization during this period, more than half of its 200,000 immigrants have expressed their willingness to join the army.

As an emerging immigrant land, California’s population is mainly young adults, and there is almost no aging problem.

It's just that when the sea routes are blocked, weapons transportation has become a thorny problem, and sending so many untrained young people to the battlefield will only waste precious human resources.

Therefore, in the end, the authorities only temporarily recruited about 7,000 veterans and 20,000 laborers. Their main duties were to build fortifications and transport supplies.

In addition, local Hispanics, Mexicans, Indians and Central American refugees are also very enthusiastic about joining the army.

But Archduke Carl Ferdinand chose to ignore these requests and even felt that they were not even qualified to work as laborers.

The reason for this is simple, the risks outweigh the benefits. (Please note: This is his personal opinion and does not represent the author’s opinion.)

This man is always overly vigilant and firmly believes that allies who are unreliable and may stab him in the back at any time are more dangerous than his enemies.

Of course, in essence, it was still the so-called Greater German thought that was at work. After all, the entire high-level government, including John Sina, was more or less influenced by this trend of thought.

Archduke Carl Ferdinand did not choose to fight in the agricultural area of ​​San Pascual like the Mexican army in history, but chose to retreat to the fortress in the San Gabriel Mountains.

(These are place names from the Mexican period. Fort San Gabriel is an outpost near Los Angeles.)

However, this suggestion was actually made by Franz several years ago, and was then conveyed by a representative who rushed across the ocean to California.

If you choose to defend San Pascual, if the opponent has no plan to attack by force and plans to take a detour to attack, then this fortress in the center of the valley will obviously lose its role.

Moreover, the Americans in history have adopted a two-sided attack method. If it is just a land war, they may not be able to lose an inch of territory.

But if they choose to engage in harassment or assault warfare from the sea, it will be impossible for California's coastal defense forces to keep the enemy out.

There is no need to repeat the power of naval guns. It is not difficult to rely on them to defeat the coastal defense forts of this era. With just two salvos, it is possible to paralyze a heavily-financed coastal fortress.

This is still taking into account the accuracy of the artillery at that time. If a salvo can hit all the targets, it will not be surprising if it collapses.

Therefore, the only way to deal with the American maritime offensive is to shrink the defense and lure the enemy deeper. If the other party doesn't fall for the trick, it will turn into a long war of attrition.

This combat mode is obviously extremely disadvantageous to the Austrian side. After all, the entire coastline of Nikko Prefecture reaches more than 5,000 kilometers, and it is extremely difficult to conduct a comprehensive defense.

Because the opponent doesn't need to take the initiative at all, just strolling along the coastal area twice a day can tire Austrian to death.

Just like the 800,000 Qing troops back then were just a number to the British. In local wars, the latter often had more numbers, not to mention the advantage in firepower. If they wanted to win, they had to take the initiative or actively defend. , or consume the other party to death.

(At that time, the Qing Dynasty had about 200,000 Eight Banners soldiers and about 600,000 Green Camp soldiers, with a total force of 800,000.)

For Austria at this time, it would be better to commit suicide if it wanted to use those 100-200-ton boats to fight a naval battle with the Americans. Even if it could use a one-for-one tactic such as a kamikaze attack, the Americans would still be exhausted. rise.

Franz still doesn't know how much of a negative impact the U.S. blockade of the coastline will have on the morale and mentality of California's defenders.

So in the worst case scenario, John Cina has the power to contact the British directly. After all, it is essential for senior officials in overseas colonies to have flexible decision-making power.

Although this move will be extremely costly to implement, it will prevent the United States from forming a dominant position on the North American continent, and Britain will definitely do its best to defend this sacred land.

Of course, that was just the worst plan. In fact, the Land of Sunlight was rich in products and could be completely self-sufficient. Even if the enemy implemented a comprehensive blockade policy, the stored supplies would be enough to last for several years.

John Tyler was indeed a very remarkable politician. Even though the Austrian authorities continued to suppress the American immigrants who fomented rebellion in California, he still pulled out a rebel team there.

Attacking from both sides and blooming in the center, similar tactics can kill most people today. But fortunately, Franz does not belong to this era. The experience of later generations made him extremely concerned about every move of Americans.

At this time in San Diego, a middle-aged man wearing a windbreaker and a cowboy hat was announcing to the residents of the city:

"From now on, California is the territory of the United States of America, and you are all citizens of the United States! Rejoice, brothers! Together we will bask in the sunshine of democracy and freedom!

There is no form of oppression or exploitation, and everyone can freely express their opinions and views and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

There, legal fairness and transparency are the cornerstones of protecting people's rights, and the government's duty is to serve the people and protect their interests.

There, people can freely choose their own way of life and beliefs without suffering any form of discrimination or persecution. Long live America! "

"Long live America!"

It has to be said that during the period of westward expansion, there were many heroic figures in the United States who had the spirit of adventure and pioneering. His inflammatory rhetoric successfully aroused the emotions of the people around him.

Of course, there are a lot of "trusts" in it, but no matter what, it is indeed a very successful speech.

"But democracy and freedom are not achieved overnight. We must continue to overcome difficulties and defeat our enemies! Now in the Austrian Empire, they are still on our land!

We must use the guns and bayonets in our hands to let them know who is the master here! Now take your guns and follow me to destroy those Austrians. Don’t be afraid of sacrifice. God is with us! "

"God is with us!."

The enthusiasm of the crowd was aroused. The man in the hat and trench coat kicked open the box at his feet, which was full of weapons and bullets. While several of his men began to distribute weapons to people, suddenly there was a trace of disharmony next to them. dissent.

"The speech you just made was indeed deceptive, sir. I almost believed it. But I'm sorry, we are Californians and Mexicans and have nothing to do with the United States of America.

Are you here to invade us? How come I've lived here for more than ten years and never seen you? "

The local aborigines asked questions, which made the man in the windbreaker feel embarrassed and had to shoot directly and explained.

"He is the lackey of the tyrant Tasan Anna! He is the enemy of democracy and freedom! Let us go together now to fight away the Mexican tyrant and his accomplices, the Austrians!"

After witnessing this "apostle with a mission of justice" transformed into a perpetrator, some local residents began to hesitate. After all, the trench coat man's cruel behavior made him look more like a tyrant.

The man in the trench coat had no choice but to shoot at the sky and roar.

"Whoever is not with us is our enemy, the enemy of the United States of America!"

Spurred by the sound of gunfire, the crowd finally took action. This instigator was the famous John Charles Fremont, one of the greatest explorers in American history and a pioneer in the invasion of Mexico.