116 – Battle of the Cressy Plain (1)
A month later, the Reich Imperial Army headquarters barracks in the Cressy Plain.
Except for me, the other generals looked like they were about to collapse from exhaustion as they had traveled much farther than originally planned and plundered according to Commander Patton’s orders.
Captain Patton smiled cheerfully and said when he saw the generals and officers who had just returned from the operation.
“hahahahaha, what did I say! Even though you said that it would not be good to march to Gobelins, loot it, and then return. When you actually try it, what is it like? “Didn’t everything go well!”
Thanks to my exploits in stopping 10,000 soldiers led by Division Commander Pompadour at Hattin and Captain Patton’s judgment that I would not be able to join in the plunder anyway…
It was possible to avoid the madness of continuing to march an incredible 26km a day for nearly a month, exceeding the infantry’s average daily march distance of 20km.
When I look at Brigadier General Ritter, who cannot hide his tired expression even when the commander is talking next to me, I can imagine how harsh the invasion operation must have been.
Personally, I think that they must have gone through a lot of hardship compared to our brigade that fought against François’ army in Hattin Forest.
But I wonder if Captain Patton deep down feels sorry for us ordinary people who follow his insight…
He muttered in a low voice that you couldn’t hear unless you paid close attention.
“When I was young, I heard that the commander of the Western Army needed help, so I covered 200 kilometers in a week. “Things these days make military life easier…”
I would like to support the old, capable general who says this, but this crazy level of maneuvering and marching is possible.
No matter how large the empire is, there will not be a single person except Captain Patton.
No, I hope there is no general other than him who marches and plunders in that way.
Because that was possible because it was Patton, and if another clumsy general followed suit and moved at high speed, the 70,000-strong army would be scattered like dust in the middle and the entire unit would fall into confusion.
Then General Patton came next to me, tapped me on the shoulder in front of all the other generals, and said,
“Of course, my rapid march operation was only possible because Brigadier General Jaeger here held back 10,000 Francois Republic soldiers in the Forest of Hattin! “The number one contributor and most decorated person in this operation is Brigadier General Yeager.”
In the past, when I was a lieutenant, if someone as high as a captain had praised me like this during a strategy meeting, I would have felt burdened and didn’t know what to do.
Anyway, I am a general who belongs to the top 1% of the class called nobles, and no matter where I go in the empire, I attract everyone’s attention simply because I wear a star.
So, here, it would be right to give a standard response without being too arrogant, but also without lowering myself to the point of being servile.
“It is an honor, Commander. “I just did what I could.”
Of course, I did what I could to the best of my ability, even in the Imperial Army where it was difficult to rise above a certain level unless you were an elite.
It was a special event because there were few people who could follow it, so I am telling the truth without a single lie.
I don’t know how it may sound to the listener, but anyway, since I have achieved the rank of brigadier general at this age, I will be less criticized if I keep the line by pretending to be confident and humble.
“I can’t believe this guy who went beyond blocking 10,000 with 4,000 and annihilated a large enemy army is so humble! Do you like it! Good. “Then before we start the strategy meeting, Chief of Staff?”
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At those words, Chief of Staff Franz, who was sitting just to the left of Captain Patton, stood up, sighed, and opened his mouth.
“The total number of troops mobilized by the Francois Republic for the war this time is expected to be 110,000. Of these, 10,000 were completely annihilated by the dedicated defense of the 12th Brigade in Hattin Forest. “On this plain of Crecy, our troops will fight against a total of 100,000 enemy troops.”
At those words, the surrounding generals began to murmur.
“The difference between us and the enemy is not very large, but will we be able to overcome our numerical inferiority and win?”
“Isn’t it difficult to ignore the difference in numbers?”
“Don’t you think Captain Patton has his own thoughts? “Let’s wait.”
And as they say, the difference in numbers has enormous meaning.
Because if it’s 70,000 to 100,000, we may win depending on how we fight, but in war, whoever has the most numbers has a significant advantage.
The Plain of Crecy where we are now is the most suitable terrain for operating the knights that Francois like so much.
This is a fight where we start by giving the enemy more than two moves to retreat.
As if the Chief of Staff knew what we were worried about, he sighed, shook his head from side to side, and continued his speech.
“As a general of the Imperial Army, I understand that you are worried that our troops are in a disadvantageous situation, but please take a moment to read this report, everyone. “This is a summary of a report written by a reconnaissance officer who had infiltrated the Francois Republic army until two weeks ago.”
With those words, a report was placed in front of all the generals, including me.
[Currently, the morale of the French Republic’s army is so low that about 40 to 100 deserters occur every day. Among the soldiers, most people think that since they were excommunicated by the Vatican, they will go to hell if they die in this war. Many of the soldiers who joined here after losing in the Battle of Hattin Forest often spread the story late at night that the Reich Empire’s army was the mace of Deus, and now not only new recruits but even senior non-commissioned officers such as sergeants and sergeants are in fear of death. I am shaking.]
I induced it there, but the effect of the ripples is so great that I can’t even speak.
Usually, when the military is deployed like this, even if you are a corporal, you know that if you show fear on the outside, fear will consume your body.
Even though they are scared in their hearts, on the outside they act like nothing has happened and spew out harsh remarks for no reason.
‘Ah, I want to have s*x. ‘f*ck, I want to do this so badly.’
It’s normal to act like a pleasant person and act brave while making meaningless s*xual comments like this.
With just one excommunication, even the senior soldiers who had to brag like that to maintain their morale were taken aback.
I think it’s really unfortunate that it’s difficult to do this twice.
[In addition, during the march, small-scale raids were carried out 10 times by companies and battalions, similar to the method used by Brigadier General Jaeger when he plundered Visochia. Due to the psychological anxiety and worries of officers, including enemy commanders, soldiers are conducting more vigilance and reconnaissance than necessary. Therefore, when we fight against the enemy, the soldiers of the Francois Republic will fight with great mental and physical weaknesses.]
It’s mentally difficult, but physical fatigue is added…
Their army may initially show itself as strong by pushing forward with numbers, but if it is pushed into a corner even a little, it will collapse in an instant.
Because in war, you have to endure physical pain and physical exhaustion with mental strength.
The fear of being excommunicated and going to hell when I die has eroded my mind to the point where I cannot use it at all.
After reading the reconnaissance officer’s report, the imperial generals began speaking actively as if they had never worried about the unfavorable situation just a moment ago.
“The Plain of Crecy is the best place to mobilize knights. So, the idea is to have the infantry stand in a square formation and have the knights fight among themselves.”
“Director Checker, what bullsh*t is that! We have fewer knights, so it’s a head-to-head battle! “Will we all die as a group?”
“Why not just deploy the troops widely and then fight head-on?”
At the same time, the generals continued to argue or refute their own tactics, and the operation was slowly being completed.
I think he will take advantage of the enemy’s low self-esteem and morale, and if provoked even a little, he will be forced to do something stupid like Francois’s.
Why are you only considering a head-on battle on the plains, which is an advantageous method for them?
So, while looking at the map of the Crecy Plain, I came up with the best and appropriate way to screw them, and finally opened my mouth.
“Peter Yeager, commander of the 12th Brigade, I have a plan to eliminate those Francois who are not worthy of being called knights.”