I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 775 Everything is as promised

The two Austrian generals thought they were being cautious enough.

Behind them were nearly 6 Austrian and Sardinian allied forces, enough to sweep across southeastern France, but they still carried out reconnaissance, formation and other tasks meticulously in accordance with the requirements of Marshal Beaulieu.

Nothing unusual.

All that remains is to launch the attack.

The little defensive force that the French had desperately mobilized would be crushed by them in a day or two at most.

……

On the high ground 3 kilometers northwest of Cagnes Town, Marquis Peche heard the faint sound of artillery in the distance and looked at Victor beside him with great concern: "Major Victor, the enemy's attack seems to be very fierce. Should we go for reinforcements?"

Although Victor was a little nervous, he still shook his head and said, "No, the commander asked us to wait here, so we can't leave without permission."

He was commanding two regiments, or more than 3 soldiers at the time, but he could only watch as the two regiments of the Lyon Legion in the town of Cagnes resisted the attack of more than 5 Austrian Provera Legion.

After a few minutes, Marquis Peche, as the head of the Lyon Legion, could not help but say, "Major Victor, if this continues, Cagnes Town will probably be breached."

Victor just looked in silence in the direction where the gunfire came from.

Lieutenant Colonel Napoleon had assured him that Ramadier would be able to hold Cagnes.

It is 5 km northwest of Vence.

Jubel also looked towards the smoke-filled city of Vence and said to Junot beside him, "Lieutenant Colonel Buwanaba's deployment is indeed very strange."

Juno seemed very relaxed: "Don't be nervous, he is the most talented officer I have ever seen. He can always sense the enemy's movements and choose the most effective means to deal with them."

Needless to say, the number one military genius is naturally the founder of the New French Army - His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Jubel exhaled: "The Austrian Army's Sebottendorf Corps has tens of thousands of soldiers, while the Corsican Corps defending Vence and Baron Defell's Toulouse Corps only have 6 people in total.

“I hope they can really hold up.”

Yes, the Jubel Legion received orders to wait here and not to move no matter what the situation in Vence was.

At this time, outside the city of Vence, Baron de Fer was listening to his men's report on the battle with a serious look on his face. "The Marchand Battalion lost more than half a company... Captain Gilles' cavalry company blocked the flank attack, but suffered 21 casualties...

"Captain Kairana's infantry company suffered heavy losses. I request that you send a reserve force to reinforce them..."

Defeil simply adjusted the defensive formation but did not send any additional soldiers to join the defense line.

Lieutenant Colonel Buwanaba asked him to hold on here for five days, and he must allocate his troops reasonably.

At present, the 2 soldiers on the defense line can probably hold out until after 3 p.m., and then we can see their morale and decide whether to replace them.

Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Buwanaba left him an artillery company equipped with 6 cannons.

These artillerymen were trained by the lieutenant colonel in Corsica. They have excellent shooting skills and can always fire shells at the most concentrated enemy troops.

It was thanks to their outstanding performance that Wangs City was able to barely stabilize the situation.

But the number of attacking Austrian troops was too large, and in the morning alone, his corps had suffered nearly 200 casualties.

This was simply the toughest battle he had ever fought since he joined the army.

Finally, under Baron Defer's constant prayers, the sun slowly sank into the horizon.

The painful groans of wounded soldiers could be heard from time to time in the Toulouse Legion camp.

However, they still defended the city of Vence, even at the cost of 370 casualties.

In fact, the casualties of the Austrian army were even more serious than theirs. Although the Toulouse Corps was just a "traditional corps" that was looked down upon in France, its combat effectiveness was still higher than that of the Austrian army.

In addition, since it was a defensive battle, they occupied an advantageous position in advance and built several breastworks, so they also achieved a good exchange ratio.

The next morning, the brutal battle continued.

After yesterday's fierce attack, the Sebottendorf Corps only advanced the front line by more than 100 meters...

Austrian Command.

Beaulieu frowned as he read the battle report, somewhat surprised at the tenacity shown by the French army.

The French could have easily transferred their troops back to the Toulon fortress for defense, but they unexpectedly decided to defend the two isolated towns.

He looked at the map on the table. Vence and Cagnes blocked the west of Nice, preventing his army from advancing further towards the port of Toulon.

He stroked his cane and pondered, "Could it be that the French are planning something big in Toulon?"

The staff officer at the side continued: "Marshal, perhaps we can bypass Vence, continue westward from the river valley further north, and then head straight for Toulon Port?"

Beaulieu nodded slightly. "Order Sebottendorf. If Vence is not captured in three days, let him bypass it and besiege the Toulon Fortress."

He looked at the map again: "As for Cagnes, we must capture this place and open up the supply line to the west.

"Let Carretto lead his grenadier battalion to reinforce Provera. Give them a week."

"Yes, Marshal!"

Three days later.

Sebottendorf looked through a telescope at the two unused breastworks outside Nice and the cannons that were constantly spewing flames near the high ground south of the city, and had no choice but to follow Beaulieu's orders.

He turned his head to the herald officer and said, "Gather the troops. Tomorrow morning, we will go around the town of Saint-Jeannet through the river valley on the north side and then head to the port of Toulon."

Baron Defer was writing a request for help to General Dimopin, commander-in-chief of the Italian Front - the task Napoleon gave him was too difficult, so he had to complain to a higher level.

At this moment, the gunfire from the Austrian army gradually stopped...

Outside the town of Cagnes.

Provera and Carretto, the commander of the grenadiers' battalion that came to reinforce, looked at the sand table with frowns. There were only three days left before the deadline given to them by Marshal Beaulieu, but the French showed no signs of collapse.

Carretto suddenly noticed that the French defense line was retreating and gradually formed a diagonal line tending to the east.

He pointed his stick toward the west of Cagnes: "If we can sneak around here and attack, it will be difficult for the French defense line to take care of it. You see, they have lost their cover on the northwest side."

Provera's eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded and said, "You have keenly found the key to ending this battle!
"Then we'll try to move northwest tonight."

……

In the bushes, Jubel yawned. After the tension and anxiety of the past few days, he had begun to get used to this kind of boring waiting.

He suddenly frowned, feeling that something was wrong today. The sound of artillery fire in the distance seemed much weaker than before.

He immediately perked up and waved to the cavalry captain:

"Go see what's going on?"

More than an hour later, two rangers came back in a hurry, panting and saying:
"Master, the Austrian army has left Vence and is heading our way."

(End of this chapter)