Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 16

Battles between great powers begin with guns and end with talks – 3

Karl von Württemberg, who headed to the spire where he was detained under the forced guidance of Russian officers, felt also a little complicated. It might be that it was handed over or that he did not have a special conviction from the beginning, but Bagration’s words hit the nail on the head. All of the soldiers pretending to be Allied forces from the Confederation of the Rhine, now captured and confined in the city of Izmonti, were actually French, all fluent in German.

It was the work of Napoleon I, the Emperor of France.

‘I can’t believe you changed your uniforms and national flag. It was a strategy breaking common sense. Was it necessary to prepare for such a surprise attack in order to destroy the Russian troops that were more than twice as many?…’

This deception tactic of pretending to be another soldier had already been used in the past. But it had always been limited to mercenaries. Regular troops changing uniforms and fighting pretending to be other soldiers? He had never heard of such a thing. All of the soldiers under his command had been replaced by French, but Karl von Württemberg had not rejected it.

In the first place, he did not have the courage to refuse the Emperor’s words, and having the French fought instead of the Confederation of the Rhine’s army was also good for him. As ordered by the Emperor, he fought relentlessly on the fortress and surrendered without regret when he was on the verge of falling. Perhaps because they had disguised themselves as soldiers of the Confederation of the Rhine, the French were able to preserve their forces without suffering any damage or severe retaliation.

Karl von Württemberg clicked his tongue at the Emperor’s petty tricks.

Of course, it was not that different from the numerous famous top commanders’ tactics, but still, as a commander himself, he felt that he had to keep an eye on him. The Emperor’s sharp strategy, excellent operational skills and tactical command in the field were truly astonishing, and the Russians were in a very disadvantageous position in this battle.

Would the Russians be able to win this battle? Karl von Württemberg did not think so.

“You described us as bats. Yes, we’re bats. To survive among the fierce powers dominating Europe, one has to become a bat. You are the one who made us bats.’

Bats followed the side that was certain to win. The Russian Empire could not win. Then there was only one choice.

“If you wanted our help, you shouldn’t have lost today’s battle that way. At least, you should make it look like you have a chance of beating France. What were your thoughts that led to ask me for treachery when you are strategically cornered and lost the fight?”

The Russian officers, who could not understand German, asked what he had said, but Karl von Württemberg shook his head saying it was nothing. The bat changed sides according to the circumstances and caused its own destruction, but the Kingdom of Württemberg only waved a flag of loyalty toward the victorious side.

‘I once thought about it. The Emperor, who started an unreasonable expedition with excessive self-confidence, looked like a runaway wagon. But not anymore. The expedition was canceled and the god of war regained his composure. France will win.’

Now his remaining task was to save the French soldiers disguised as the Confederation of the Rhine’s troops for the Emperor and the French Empire, who would be the winner. Looking at the moonlight, Karl von Württemberg walked down the path to the spire.

July 6th, 1812, just before dawn. The Russian soldiers warmed up and prepared for the decisive battle. Their willingness to fight was much higher than yesterday, thanks to Bagration’s speech.

‘If we can win today’s battle, we will share all the loot of the French with you! I swear on my family name that I’ll give a generous reward to each and every one of you! Look! Everything they’re wearing and holding is your spoils!!’

Bagration meant that he would give the soldiers full authority and ownership over the postwar looting. The place was overflowing with many expensive and valuable items. Now, the Russian soldiers were legally able to secure their share as long as they won the battle. Their fighting spirit burned as they clenched their fists and shouted an exuberant cheer.

Bang! Boom! Boom! Bang! Bang!

The Russian artillery fired first and the Russian attack began. While the Allied Corps (the French troops) were also firing to counter-attack, this time the Russian commander pushed the infantry battalion from the front without delay. No matter the sacrifice, they would definitely conquer Hrodna today.

The Russian infantry soldiers were singing march songs. Hrodna’s commanders watched them quietly without sending their own infantry to stop them. It was around the time when the Russian infantry approached to some extent. In addition to the front artillery, which was in the middle of a gunfire battle with the Russian artillery, a second artillery, which was located further in the rear, fired in unison.

The Russian infantry was swept away by the shelling like bowling pins.

“You’ve changed the position of the cannons again. You’re a bunch of sly guys.”

Barclay murmured as he looked at the enemy’s response with a telescope. For his allies, a sly enemy meant a competent and tricky enemy. As if to say, ‘I knew you’d come in front of me’, the enemy forces had formed a double front by moving the cannons that had been on the side the day before. He even thought that Louis Nicolas Davout was a commander who had such a high understanding of artillery and cannon operations and high-level psychological warfare.

Despite the severe bombardment of the French artillery, the Russian soldiers endured it by shouting to show off their Slavs’ spirit. Before long, the infantry began to reach the artillery of the Allied Corps located on the hill. Whenever the muskets’ fire sounded, soldiers of the Russian and Allied forces fell, bleeding. On the side where the infantry lines were close to each other, there was a close-quarter battle with bayonets. The Russian side suffered more damage due to the disadvantage caused by the artillery and the terrain, but the Russians were more numerous.

It did not take long for the grasslands to turn red.

A much more intense and deadly battle was taking place on the left side of the Russian army, on the Krunol Hill and north of the Neman River. Pyotr Bagration himself came to the front line where shells and bullets were flying and led the troops enthusiastically.

The goal was to raise the Russian Empire’s flag on the Krunol Hill, which had not been captured in yesterday’s battle.

“Die fiercely for your children, the future of the Slavs, and the honor of the Empire and the Tsar! I will die with you here too!”

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Bagration knew what words and expressions could make even the lowest-class soldiers do. They did not need any grand promises. There was nothing like the pledge and action of the commander showing he would risk his life like them.

Uraaaaaaaaaaaa-!!

Encouraged, the Russian soldiers ran to death. They launched a fierce attack on the hill as they were hit by a flurry of shells and bullets.

If you die, even if you die, move forward unconditionally!

Fear was magnified on their faces as they stepped on the bodies of their dead comrades.