I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 843: Counterattack on the Rhineland

Luxembourg Fortress.

On the afternoon of the second day after Massena feigned defeat and retreated westward, Soult hurriedly knocked on the door of Berthier's office.

"Please come in." Berthier put down the ammunition inventory data in his hand and said.

Surt raised his hat towards him and said with a serious expression: "General, I think there should be a big change in the war situation."

"Please tell me your basis."

"First, the artillery fire from the north has stopped for more than a day." Soult said, "Second, the enemy troops surrounding the fortress have transferred more troops to the northwest, and the frequency of attacks has also dropped significantly."

Brush, the southernmost point where the French and Allied forces had fought before, was less than 10 kilometers away from the Luxembourg Fortress. With a favorable wind, the roar of heavy artillery there could be vaguely heard in the fortress.

Berthier looked at him and said, "Are you saying that our defense line has moved?"

"Yes, General." Soult nodded. "The enemy troops surrounding us are concentrated in the northwest, probably to prevent us from learning about the situation over there."

Berthier fell into deep thought: "If the defense line of Massena's corps moved westward, there could only be two possibilities - he was defeated by the enemy and had to retreat. Or he retreated strategically for some purpose."

Soult immediately said: "It should not be that our army was defeated, otherwise Ferdinand would definitely withdraw troops to strengthen the attack on us. But no more enemy troops have appeared yet."

Berthier shook his head: "So, Massena wants to do something, but we can't get in touch with him for the time being."

Soult walked to the map and pointed to the Ardennes Plateau: "General, I guess that the Massena Corps should want to lead the enemy deep into the Ardennes Plateau.

"And there can only be one purpose for doing this, which is to free up the road northeast of Luxembourg City."

Berthier still didn't understand: "What can I do about it?"

Soult's eyes flickered with a sharp light: "There is no obstacle on our way to Trier, General. Perhaps Colonel Massena wants us to launch a counterattack!"

Berthier stared at Trier on the map and slowly stood up. He had to admit that Soult's suggestion was really tempting.

Although there were still 1 coalition troops outside the Luxembourg Fortress, he was very clear about the combat effectiveness of those troops. Probably only the 5 Hanoverian troops posed a threat, and the others were basically just there to make up the numbers.

He had three regiments of the Royal 3st Infantry Division in his hands, and these 5 people were enough to break through the encirclement outside.

At the same time, there is also the Champagne Corps, one of the most powerful units in the old army. Especially their cavalry battalion, because of its high quality, more than half of the soldiers have been absorbed into the Royal Hussar Battalion.

If we launch a surprise attack immediately, there is a high probability that we can capture Trier or even Koblenz!
He was still a little worried and said, "If we just leave the fortress and Ferdinand's main force attacks us..."

Soult said confidently: "General, you must have confidence in your direct corps. The Prussians will never be able to withdraw a large number of troops to attack here while being restrained by them.

"After we launch the counterattack, we will immediately send cavalry to scout westward. If we find that the enemy is too close, we will return to the fortress. We should have enough time."

Berthier thought for a moment and said to the staff officer beside him: "Convene the middle and senior officers to hold a combat meeting immediately."

"Yes, General!"

The next morning.

The coalition forces surrounding the Luxembourg Fortress were dragging out their cannons and calibrating their firing angles in a step-by-step manner, preparing to begin their dull and doomed attack. At this moment, a fierce artillery attack suddenly broke out from the fortress, with the density of firepower more than three or four times greater than before.

The coalition forces were suddenly stunned.

Immediately, the outermost gate of the fortress opened, and thousands of French hussars rushed out waving sabers.

Without any defense, the coalition artillery positions on the north side of the fortress were instantly overwhelmed. The French cavalry artillery then quickly occupied the most advantageous firing positions, covering the infantry to launch a fierce attack on the Hanoverian Corps on the west side.

The Hanoverian army was still in a siege at this time, and its formation was very scattered. In just less than two hours, the French infantry lines cooperated with the cavalry to complete the encirclement of them.

At 10:30 in the morning, the main force of the Hanoverian army surrendered, and the Trier and Mainz armies had just reacted and hurriedly mobilized troops to reinforce.

At noon, Soult commanded 3 infantrymen of the Royal st Infantry Division, and with the support of artillery, defeated the Trier army.

At the same time, the Champagne Army repelled Mainz's reinforcements on the west.

The encirclement outside the Luxembourg Fortress was broken in half in an instant.

Berthier watched the overwhelming battle through a telescope in the fortress, and was not surprised at all. If he had not been worried about the main force of the enemy outside, he could have broken through at any time.

At present, it seems that Surt's judgment was correct. More than half a day has passed and no reinforcements have appeared from the enemy.

He looked at the herald beside him and said: "Leave 3 men of the Alpine Legion to defend the fortress.

"Order Soult to lead the other legions to Steinsel for rest and recuperation. Set out early tomorrow morning and try to reach the west bank of the Zell River before dark."

That afternoon, when Soult gathered his troops and rushed to Steinsel, he received a report from the Rangers that no Allied forces were found within 20 kilometers northwest of Luxembourg City.

The corners of his mouth curled up into a smile: "It seems that I guessed right!"

At 1:1 p.m. the next day, Soult led soldiers to the Zell River west of Trier. When they were preparing to set up camp to rest, a cavalryman suddenly warned them that an army of thousands of people had been discovered in the north.

Soult suddenly became nervous. If Ferdinand still had spare troops to reinforce Trier, his trip would most likely be in vain.

However, only ten minutes later, another group of rangers came to report to him excitedly: "Commander, it's the Oudinot Legion. They have been waiting for us here!"

Soult breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered his troops to go and join Oudinot's Legion.

Twenty minutes later, he met Oudinot.

The latter raised his hat to him, laughed and said loudly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that you would definitely launch a counterattack. Look, we are meeting here as expected."

Soult was stunned: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has come to Luxembourg?"

"Yes, he also brought the Southern Netherlands Front. Colonel Massena has led Ferdinand's main force to the west of Wirtz..." Oudinot said, and suddenly waved his hand, "Let's not talk about this for now. Let's hurry and cross the river before it gets dark."

"Crossing the river?"

"Yes," Oudinot nodded and pointed to the surface of the Zell River. "I had the engineers build a pontoon bridge here yesterday. Colonel Massena ordered us to attack Koblenz immediately after crossing the river!"

(End of this chapter)