Chapter 87: Victory in the First Battle

"Reporting to Consul Napoleon, the various units on the northern front are expected to arrive in full force in four days. With the participation of local Italian merchants, we've received significant assistance in transporting troops and war materials. As for the troops on the southern front, their progress is much slower, requiring at least half a month to reach the designated battlefield," Minister of War Affairs, Malmon, reported.

"Let's urge them to expedite their movements. If the Austrians complete the assembly of their troops ahead of us, we'll be at a disadvantage," Napoleon responded.

In the early hours of June 23rd, the headquarters in Genoa on the northern front remained brightly lit. Staff members were bustling in and out, the sound of flipping through letters echoing throughout, indicating a hive of activity. Since the commencement of the war, this location had become the command center for the French forces on the northern front. Of course, as the war progressed, the headquarters would shift further into Italian territory.

Now, in the wee hours, typically the most fatigued time, Brigadier General Moro, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division on the eastern front, felt not an ounce of weariness. The timing for the northern front's offensive had been set: the morning of June 23rd.

Leading over one hundred thousand soldiers into battle for the first time, especially against a formidable nation like the Holy Roman Empire, stirred deep excitement within Brigadier General Moro.

Simultaneously, he understood the significance of this battle for the French government and military. A victory here could propel the French forces to great heights. Conversely, failure would render futile all their efforts of the past years.

"Have all units reached their designated positions? Is the battle preparation complete?" Moro inquired.

"General, all units have reached their designated positions, and battle preparations are complete. We're just awaiting the order to commence the attack," a staff officer reported to Moro. Despite this being the third time Moro had asked the same question, he didn't jest. His own excitement mirrored that of everyone present. Such a monumental battle left no room for sleep.

Upon hearing the staff officer's confirmation, Moro nodded with reassurance.

Of the over one hundred thousand troops stationed at the northern headquarters, apart from deploying a cavalry corps and an infantry corps towards Switzerland, all other units were positioned towards Milan. Among them, Moro's 2nd Infantry Division would serve as the main force for the assault on Milan.

Before the attack, propaganda officers from each infantry company were explaining the significance of this battle to the soldiers. They emphasized the deep-seated hatred between the French and the Austrians. They propagated that Italy belonged to France, and Austria had encroached upon their land. Such rhetoric aimed to stoke the soldiers' animosity towards the Austrians and to bolster their fighting spirit.

Taking advantage of Napoleon's expedition to Egypt and the vulnerability of France domestically, the Austrians swiftly regrouped and launched a westward campaign, invading Milan and Florence. In this campaign, numerous French families suffered devastation, their properties plundered by the Austrians. Even some pro-French individuals within Italy fell victim to persecution.

After hearing the accounts from the propaganda officers, the eyes of all French soldiers turned red. Previously, due to the incompetence of the Directorate, they couldn't seek revenge for the persecuted French citizens. The government intentionally concealed the news to protect its regime from being overthrown by the masses. Hence, most people within France were unaware of the persecution suffered by the French in Italian territory.

But now, after the propaganda officers' explanations, these French soldiers were well aware of the atrocities. This undoubtedly filled the hearts of the French military personnel with indignation.

"Kill all Austrians and make them pay with their blood!" shouted one enraged soldier, his eyes burning red.

"Kill Austria, repay blood with blood!" The words of that soldier ignited the fervor of the others like a spark setting off a fire.

The other soldiers followed suit, roaring in anger. The calls for avenging the blood debt against the Austrians echoed incessantly.

Fueled by the spirit of revenge, the morale of the French military personnel had reached its peak. They believed that in this battle, they would unleash all their combat capabilities to the fullest.

...

The time was 5 o'clock in the early morning of the 23rd. The horizon was just beginning to show a hint of dawn. Light dispersed the last remnants of darkness, and the entire land was about to embrace daylight. However, for the Austrians, today marked the beginning of a catastrophe.

On the French positions, the artillerymen were busy; cannons had been positioned in the trenches. Not only were there 12-pound light howitzers from an infantry division, but also 18-pound heavy howitzers from an artillery brigade.

However, the heavy cannons from the artillery brigade led by Napoleon, those weighing over 25 pounds, did not appear in the initial wave of attacks. These heavy cannons were too cumbersome, and their ammunition was relatively expensive. They would only be deployed when facing Austrian fortresses and strongholds. For regular Austrian defensive positions, these heavy cannons were unnecessary.

"Three, two..."

Moro counted down the time on the clock anxiously. As the attack time drew nearer, beads of sweat appeared on Moro's forehead.

"One."

As the clock's hands slowly approached 5:30, Moro gave the command.

"Fire!"

With Moro's command, the 120 15-pound light field guns and 50 18-pound heavy howitzers deployed on the frontline in Genoa began roaring as they unleashed their fury upon the Austrian positions. Countless shells rained down on the Austrian positions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The thunderous roar of cannons echoed over the walls of Milan as shells whistled towards the Austrian positions. Intense explosions reverberated across the battlefield. The Austrian defensive lines seemed to be plunged into a momentary apocalypse.

It must be said that Napoleon chose the timing of the attack well; 5 o'clock was a time of vulnerability. At this hour, most Austrian soldiers were still asleep. Except for a few soldiers observing within the positions, the majority were sound asleep. Before the attack, French reconnaissance teams had crossed the border multiple times, gathering intelligence on the Austrian troop deployments.

Therefore, the French artillery, equipped with 15-pound and 18-pound howitzers, could easily cover the Austrian positions.

"Boom!"

An 18-pound heavy howitzer shell struck an Austrian barracks, where hundreds of Austrian soldiers were housed. When the shell pierced through the roof and exploded inside, the barracks collapsed with a deafening crash. Hundreds of Austrian soldiers who were still asleep were sent to meet their maker in an instant.

The French artillery bombardment was fierce, perfectly in line with Napoleon's strategy. His approach to warfare emphasized leveraging the firepower and range superiority of the artillery. By striking the enemy before engaging in direct combat, he aimed to gain an advantage in subsequent engagements.

Following the intense barrage by the French artillery, the entire Austrian military camp turned into a sea of flames. Countless startled Austrian soldiers, some not even having time to put on their trousers, scattered in panic.

Simultaneously, the Austrian defensive positions also came under heavy artillery fire. The trenches dug by the Austrians were obliterated by the bombardment. Their cannons were destroyed by the artillery fire before they could even be dismounted from their carriages. Even the fortifications they had built were blown sky-high in the intense barrage.

"Enemy attack! It's artillery fire!"

"Where is the artillery fire coming from?"

"Run for your lives!"

Finally realizing the dire situation, the panicked Austrians were now aware that they were under attack. Though they were unsure how the French had come upon them, the fact remained that they were facing artillery fire from the French.

"Don't panic! Return fire! Return fire!"

"Where are the French? Where are they?"

Inside the Austrian camp, countless soldiers ran about in panic. The French attack was so sudden that the Austrian forces were unable to organize a proper defense.

While some Austrian officers attempted to command their troops, their efforts proved largely futile. They had already lost the crucial window for a counterattack.

Regrettably, some Austrian officers had no choice but to abandon their soldiers and flee for their lives. After all, soldiers could always be replaced, but if they were to die here, there would be no chance of redemption.