Nezib
While there is chaos in russia lets cut to the middle east and what transpired in the time the major offensives order issued by Alexander II started.
-May 4 1839-
Mahmud II after suffering a major defeat at the hands of Muhammad Ali, the ruler of egypt the ottoman empire lost control of the levant up until syria and adana. If not for the intervention of the various european great powers in the war in support of the ottomans there was a huge chance that egypt may have marched all the way to constantinople, causing the collapse of the ottoman empire.
And now, with russia busy with a civil war Mahmud II saw this as the perfect opportunity to retake syria and adana. Maybe even the entirety of the levant.
So, he mobilised the army to capture the first piece of territory, Nezib.
---
Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke
Is in his bedroom reading a letter sent by the sultan of the ottoman empire himself.
as Sultan of the Sublime Porte and Commander of the Faithful, Mahmud II, I hereby extend this invitation for you to serve as advisor to the Cerkes forces. Your counsel in matters of military organization, tactics, and training would be most welcome.
Of course, I don't ask of you to do it for free. If you agree you will be paid handsomely for your efforts
Von moltke, smoking from his wooden pipe puffs out and starts writing a letter to send to the sultan. Agreeing.
---
"What is the sultan thinking?! Asking an outsider to advise me?!"
These were the thoughts of Cerkes Hafid Mehmed Pasa when he recieved the news.
After all, an asking an outsider for help is like directly admitting that the militaries lacking.
*Knock* *Knock!*
"Come in!"
"Sir, Von Motlke has arrived."
"Tell him to come here."
After arriving Von Moltke sits down and takes a look around. Noting the over the top decorations, a golden vase, paintings with golden frames, and golden chandeliers.
"I will skip over the pleasenttries.
Even though the sultan appointed you as my adviser, I have no interest hearing the opinions of an outsider. At the end of the day the final say rests with me. Got it?"
Von Moltk, hearing his words frowns.
Disliking the arrogant nsture of his tone he responds.
"Hmh, and what makes you think you are a better commander then me? If not for the sultan personally requesting for me to help modernize the army I would noy even be here. Instead I'd be in prussia.
You speak as if you alone are a great commander, if so then why did the sultan not seek your help?"
Cerkes, not excpecting such a response holds his anger inside, Responding.
"We'll see."
-June 4 1839-
After Marching for some time and capturing some villages on the way Cerkes, seeing that his troops were tired ordered to set up camp
While resting a scout entered, delivering urgent news.
"Sir! We have spotted the enemy army with approximately 30,000-40,000 troops marching towards us. Based on our estimates they will arrive in 16-24 days."
"Good job,. When we go back i'll make sure you'll be rewarded well."
"Thanks sir."
"Now continue following them, if there is an anomaly come t9 me got it?"
"Yes sir."
"You are free to leave."
After the scout left Cerkes Issued a command to the soldiers to start fortifying their positions.
Soon after Von Moltke entered.
"Are you insane?! Fortifying our positions here?! We are out in the open, not a single bit of terrain to our advantage. The egyptian army is way more modernized then ours. Trained by officers from the strongest military pwier in the world, FRANCE in modern tactics and organization. We won't be able to defend while fighting on equal grounds!"
Cerkes, looking not the least bit interested in what Von Moltke has to say just responds.
"We have around 70,000 troops, not to mention our army is well fed and rested. Not to mention that if they attack us it will be after msrching through the scorching heat of the sun. We have more than enough sdvantages to defend."
Von Moltke, Exasparated by Cerkes lack of military acumen starts explaining.
"Firat of all, our cavalry aren'r even organized, with some weilding firearms, some lances, and some swords. Not to mention that the army is not at all suitable for mobile warfare, still just fighting in the old style of line infantry.
We are out manuevered and out gunned. If we don't sit on a better defensive position we will lose. and I already thought of one."
"And what would that be?"
Von Moltk, thinking that he was finally getting through this guys thick skull opens a map and points at a location.
"Birecik. It sits on the euphrates, providing a natural defence. If they want to attack us they'd have to get across. Giving us an advanatge. And if we fortify our position well our odds of defending succesfuly increase dramaticlly, Maybe even giving us an opportunity to counter attack. "
After listening Cerkes asks the mullhas
"Should we stay here or go and fortify at Birecik"
The mullhas, knowing that supoorting an outsider is no good respond.
"Stay here, for Allah will surely grant us victory if we are devout enough"
"You heard that? We are staying."
Von Moltk, beyond offended by what Cerkes did, as if saying that his opinion, HE who is expirienced in the military, doesn't even come close to the mullhas.
So, after snorting he says.
"You have done it now. You can lead this srmy to defeat if you want, don't come crying to me when defeatsm's upon us."
After saying his peace Von Moltk leaves fuming at the disrespect that Cerkes showed him.
"Good gracious that felt good. He deserved it, acting all high and mighty, how dare he insult the ottoman military. We have more then enough capability to defend this position."