Chapter 927 Battle of Brussels (Part 1)

Chapter 927 Battle of Brussels (Part 1)

The commander-in-chief of the French army at this time was Oudinot, yes, another veteran of the Napoleonic era. Oudinot was the bravest marshal during the First French Empire. However, he was 81 years old at this time, only one year younger than Radetzky.

Oudinot was not an excellent strategist or master of tactics. Even Napoleon commented that he "lacked brains."

As the supreme commander of the French army at this time, the tactics he used were also extremely simple and crude.

"Attack! Attack! Attack again! Until the trenches are filled! Until the walls are knocked down! Until every Belgian is drowned in blood!"

Oudinot's tactics were simple and efficient, but also accompanied by huge casualties. The two armies he brought, totaling 40,000 people, lost nearly a quarter in less than a week of fighting.

The quarter here does not refer to the number of casualties, but also includes injuries, illnesses, vacations and other factors.

In fact, due to the complete asymmetry in firepower between the two sides, if the French army can continue to consume the Belgians with sufficient ammunition, it can greatly reduce its own casualties.

Belgium is close enough to France that there is no need to worry about supplies.

Oudinot was by no means the best choice for the French at this time, but the French Provisional Government was in chaos.

The provisional government's initial candidate was General Bedo, who was good at fighting. However, this man was a staunch royalist.

He resolutely refused to accept the appointment of the Provisional Government. In desperation, the Provisional Government had no choice but to choose General Bellevue.

The ability of the latter is far inferior to that of the former, and its prestige in the army is completely incomparable.

The result of such a person as military minister is that no one takes him seriously at all.

In addition, as a candidate recommended by the National Newspaper, he was naturally hostile to the Reform Newspaper.

As a result, the position of Minister of Military Affairs became a victim of the struggle between the two major parties, and the government reformed the military department into the Defense Council.

Bellevue served as chairman, but veteran marshals such as Ramosirier and Oudinot often deliberately discussed issues when Bellevue was away, and even skipped him to send resolutions to the provisional government.

At this time, Oudinot, an old guy buried up to his neck in the soil, appeared in Belgium for this reason.

On the Belgian side, King Leopold I personally served as the coach. The army was mainly composed of former Belgian defense forces and volunteers. Judging from the number of Belgians alone, there were about 30,000 Belgians, so they did not suffer in terms of strength.

But in fact the gap is large, and there is a serious lack of artillery.

Leopold I himself was not a military genius. It was remarkable that he did not let this patchwork army fall apart.

For details, you can refer to the previous Italian battlefield. The Italian coalition forces couldn't find their team even though they were fighting, and some even got lost.

At this time, the Belgians had tried their best, but the French front was still unstoppable.

The French column was approaching step by step, but the weak artillery fire of the Belgians was almost unable to cause any damage.

Even if someone falls in the French ranks, someone will immediately take his place.

The French drumbeats were getting closer and closer, and the Belgian defenders kept swallowing their saliva. The heavy pressure hit the defenders' souls like a hammer.

Finally the most brutal battle began. The hit rate of the musket was not good, both at a long distance and at close range. When face to face, no one can block or avoid bullets.

Soldiers on both sides continued to fall, and officers and supervisors continued to kill the soldiers trying to escape.

"Mount bayonets! Charge!"

"charge!"

Officers and soldiers from both sides roared hysterically and rushed forward, wrestling in the mud.

At this time, war has nothing to do with art. There is only the most primitive, barbaric and true truth - the winner is king.

Bayonets, gun butts, fists, and stones all became deadly weapons. The battlefield was filled with shouts of death and screams, and the air that had just been washed by the rain became turbid again.

King Leopold I, who was in the center of the battlefield, felt that the situation was anxious and they should be able to hold on.

However, Oudinot, who was in the distance, saw clearly that the old marshal's pain in his youth had been tormenting him. Even on May day, he had to be wrapped in a thick leather jacket and have a red-hot charcoal stove beside him.

"The Belgians can't hold on much longer."

"Yes, Marshal, the battle line is advancing very smoothly." The adjutant on the side responded quickly.

From a macro perspective, the French have completely grasped the initiative on the battlefield, and all fronts are advancing steadily. The Belgians' defense line will become thinner and thinner until the moment it breaks.

At that time, the entire front line will be like a flood bursting its banks. At that time, no matter who the opponent's coach is, it will be impossible to save the defeat.

But the adjutant still looked sad, because if the battle continued like this, although the battle would be won, the losses on both sides would be similar.

Those who died were French soldiers, but those who were killed were a group of Belgian mobs. He felt that it was a bit unreasonable. Not only would he get little credit for such a large casualty ratio, but it might also affect his career.

"Your Majesty Marshal, should we send cavalry to cut off their retreat?"

Oudinot glanced at the adjutant sent to him by Bellevue with the look of a fool, and pointed at the battlefield.

"Look what that is?"

The adjutant looked in the direction Oudinot was pointing and didn't see any difference. It was just a part of the battlefield, so he was a little confused.

"This is a battlefield, Your Majesty Marshal."

"Idiot! I know that's a battlefield! Let me ask you what it is!"

Oudinot's sudden roar made the adjutant a little confused, and the latter took it for granted that the two factions were fighting.

He belongs to the National camp, and Oudinot has always been in close contact with people from the Reform camp, so this is most likely a threat given to him by the other party.

"Don't be afraid!" he thought, and then said: "That's the battlefield!"

Oudinot obviously didn't expect that the other party would be like this, and couldn't help but become even more angry.

"That's a muddy place! You idiot!"

"You have no right to insult my character!"

the adjutant shouted tit for tat.

This time, Oudinot was a little at a loss. He really couldn't imagine how such a stupid person could get into the central government as a staff officer.

"No wonder Jean Duude and Grouchy failed so miserably. If you use such people as staff, you will either be pissed off or stupid to death."

Oudinot thought about this and couldn't help but start to worry about the future of France.

Fortunately, the battle was won, and the Belgian defense finally could no longer hold up.

Leopold I wanted to personally lead the troops to block the opening like those legendary predecessors. However, the reality was that his battle line was too long, and once his troops started to move, it would only cause more openings.

"Your Majesty! What should we do?"

asked Charles Rogier. Although the Prime Minister was a civilian, he also had a brave heart.

"what to do?"

King Leopold I gave a bitter smile. He no longer wanted to be a caged bird, and the French Provisional Government at this time did not seem to want to give him that opportunity.

"Behind us is Brussels! I will not surrender! I will never allow the French to trample on our land again!"

"Fight them!"

Charles Rogier was also a good morale booster.

"Long live Belgium! As long as one of us is alive! They can't even think of occupying our home!"

"Fight them! Long live Belgium!"

The sound soon spread across the battlefield, and Belgium pushed the front back.

"Send the cavalry to attack quickly!"

The adjutant suggested again.

Oudinot paid no attention to the noisy adjutant, but he admired the opponent in front of him. He was able to push back even though he had been forced into a desperate situation before. However, the strength gap between the two sides was still very large, and their destruction was only a matter of time.

"Let the reserves press forward. The battle will be over before noon, tell the soldiers! After the battle, I will give them cans!"

After Oudinot joined the reserve team, Leopold I quickly felt the pressure. He knew that this battle could not be won.

After all, Leopold I was just a mortal, and he did not have the courage to let tens of thousands of people die with him.

"Soldiers! We have tried our best."

Just when Leopold I was about to persuade his soldiers to put down their weapons, someone shouted excitedly: "Reinforcements! Reinforcements are coming!"