I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 902: Raid on Vienna

Ney looked back at the floating bridge on the Danube for a while, then turned to look at Moreau:
"Are you sure we're not going to Munich?"

Moreau flipped through the "History of Caesar's Wars" in his hand and nodded, "Yes."

Ney looked at the pontoon bridge again: "Although Bavaria has 2 troops, it may not be able to be transferred back to Munich from Memmingen in time."

Memmingen is the southwestern border of Bavaria, where the main force of the Bavarian army is currently stationed.

Moro raised the book in his hand and smiled, "Do you know why the Roman army was so powerful? Because they believed in steady and cautious progress.

"If Dernberg's troops return to Munich in time, we will face a tough battle."

Ney squeezed his whip tightly and said, "Even if I face more than 2 enemy troops, I have the confidence to defeat them!"

Moreau patted his old partner and said, "I believe in your courage, but that will cost our soldiers a lot of casualties. Moreover, Austria may send reinforcements to attack us from behind at any time."

Ney frowned: "So where are we going now?"

He suddenly remembered Moreau's words "step by step", and immediately understood: "I see, you plan to capture Amberg and then go north to Thuringia. This is indeed not risky..."

Moreau glanced at him and said calmly: "No, we are heading towards Vienna."

Ney almost stumbled and fell off his saddle when he heard this. He said in surprise, "Are you crazy? Although the main forces of Austria are in Italy, they can at least gather 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers at home.

"Besides, we are alone deep in the enemy's territory and our logistical supplies may be cut off at any time..."

Moreau smiled at him and said, "It doesn't matter, as long as Franz II believes that we will take the risk to attack Vienna."

"what?"

Moreau reached out and patted Ney again: "Do you know why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't tell us the specific task?"

"why?"

"Because we are here for deterrence. Therefore, we choose tactics based on the specific situation on the front line to make the most of it."

Seeing that his old friend was still confused, Moreau simply said, "Look, we have been idle in Alsace before. If we want to catch up with the achievements of Napoleon's army, we must at least threaten Vienna and annihilate the main force of Bavaria, right?"

He sighed again, "Ah, the command talent of that 'Italian' is really enviable. He will probably be able to capture Mantua soon, and we will be left further behind..."

Vienna.

Schönbrunn Palace.

Franz II looked at the Bavarian envoy whose eyes were bloodshot from traveling all night, and said to Hohendorff beside him:
"What other troops can we mobilize?"

Since the retirement of Marshal Lacy, the Royal Military Council has been short of talent, and Horndorf is currently serving as chairman of the committee.

"Your Majesty, the Erzgebirge Corps still has 6 soldiers. There are to in northern Slovakia, but they are too far away..." Hohendorff pondered, "In addition, there are the Vienna Corps and the Palace Guards, a total of more than people."

In fact, Austria still has a lot of troops in Hungary, Transia and other places, but they are controlled by local nobles, and it is not easy for the emperor to mobilize these troops.

Franz II waved his hand wearily: "Then let the Erzgebirge Army go to reinforce Munich."

Bavarian Foreign Minister Pappenheim was immediately anxious: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this amount of troops is not enough to repel the French."

He gritted his teeth and said loudly: "If Bavaria is occupied, the western border of Austria will face the French army directly."

Franz II said impatiently: "After Marshal Alvinzi solves the trouble in Mantua, he will immediately lead his army to Munich."

"But..." Pappenheim was about to say something else when he saw Franz II's attendant walk in with an officer.

The officer handed a report to Horndorf and whispered a few words very quickly.

Francis II frowned and asked, "What happened?"

Hohendorff looked solemn, but he looked at Pappenheim beside him: "Ah, um, please..."

Franz II took a few steps forward, snatched the report from his hand, glanced at it, and exclaimed: "The French are coming to Linz?!"

The report said that the French army did not attack Munich, but instead moved eastward from Ingolstadt, captured the eastern Bavarian city of Passau four days ago, and continued to advance rapidly eastward.

Passau is close to Linz, a major city in western Austria.

It is less than 150 kilometers east of Linz to Vienna, and the road is almost flat except for the Danube River.

Franz II paced twice, pointed at his attendants and said loudly: "Let Baron Turgut and his men come to see me immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, several important Austrian officials including Turgut and Kobutzl came to the reception room of Francis II, followed by officers from the Military Committee.

The battle report from the front was passed around by a group of people, and Kobzel was the first to say:

"The French are obviously planning to launch a surprise attack on us while Vienna's military strength is weak."

A senior officer nodded nervously: "Vienna's defense is far from enough, and there are no troops along the way that can resist the French."

Horndorf continued: "We will immediately mobilize troops from the east and south, it should still be in time..."

Turgut frowned, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then bowed to Franz II:

“Your Majesty, things are not that bad.

"This French army has only 1 men, and they have to divide their forces to occupy cities along the way. The maximum number of men who can reach Vienna is only 5.

"With the troops stationed in Vienna and the troops mobilized nearby, it should be no problem to defend Vienna."

Count Rheinfels added:
"Besides, the French are on a long raid and need to transport logistical supplies from Baden. We can totally attack their supply lines!"

Before he finished speaking, Hohendorf turned to look at the Bavarian Foreign Minister who was standing awkwardly in the corner:

“The troops from Munich heading north will be able to recapture Ingolstadt in just two or three days.

"And that's the only way the French army needs to get supplies."

Baron Turgut then noticed Pappenheim's presence, whispered to Hohendorff and asked him why he came, then immediately stepped forward and grabbed him, saying:
“This arrogant French army has not yet realized that they are in a desperate situation. Now is a good opportunity for us to work together to destroy them!

"You must cut off the French supply lines as quickly as possible. If His Majesty the Emperor's army sets out at the same time, we can form a pincer attack on the French.

"With their logistics cut off and their manpower at a disadvantage, the French army will have no choice but to surrender.

"After we deal with them, the danger to Munich will be resolved."

What he didn't say was that Vienna would be out of danger at the same time.

(End of this chapter)