EP.116
One month later, the Reich Imperial Army headquarters barracks on the Crecy Plain.
Except for me, the other generals looked as if 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 when he saw the generals and officers who had just returned from the operation.
“Hahaha what did I say! Even though you said that it would not be good to march to Gobelins, loot it, and then return. What is it like when you actually try it? “Didn’t everything go well!”
Thanks to my feat of blocking 10,000 soldiers led by Division Commander Pompadour at Hattin and General Patton’s judgment that I would not be able to join in the plunder anyway… I am able to march a
whopping 26km per day, exceeding the average daily infantry marching distance of 20km. Although the madness of continuing the march for nearly a month could have been avoided.
Looking at Brigadier General Ritter, who couldn’t hide his tired expression even when the commander was talking next to me, I could 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.
However, Captain Patton must have felt regretful towards us ordinary people who follow his wisdom… He
muttered in a low voice that could not be heard unless he concentrated very closely.
“When I was young, I covered 200 kilometers in a week when I heard that the commander of the Western Army needed help. “Things these days have made life in the military easier…”
To a large extent, I would like to support the talented old general who says this, but such crazy levels of maneuvering and marching are possible.
No matter how large the empire is, there will not be a single person except Captain Patton.
No, please, I hope there is no general other than him who marches and plunders in that way.
Because that was possible because it was Patton. 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 general, 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 or humble enough to be servile.
“It’s an honor, Commander. “I just did what I could.”
Of course, I just did what I could to the best of my ability, and even in the Imperial Army, it was difficult to rise above a certain rank 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 have to pretend to be confident and humble and keep the line, so I will be criticized less.
“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?”
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 this war 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?”
“Captain Patton, doesn’t he have his own thoughts? “Let’s wait.”
And as they say, the difference in numbers has enormous significance.
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.
It becomes a fight where we start by giving the enemy two more moves to retreat.
The Chief of Staff sighed, shook his head left and right as if he knew what we were worried about, and continued speaking.
“As a general of the Imperial Army, I understand that you are worried that our troops are at a disadvantage, but please take a moment to read this report. “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 being defeated 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, are in fear of death. [I ‘m shaking.]
I led it there, but the effect of the ripples was so great that I couldn’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.
‘Oh, I want to have sex. ‘I want to f*cking do this so badly.’
It’s normal to act like a pleasant person and act brave while making meaningless sexual comments like this.
I can’t believe that a single excommunication was enough to irritate even the senior soldiers who had to brag like that to maintain their morale.
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 company and battalion units, 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 is
mentally difficult, but physical fatigue is also added…
Their army initially appears to be strong in its own way, pushing through numbers. You can show it, but if you’re even a little bit cornered, 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 Crecy Plain 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 kind of bullshit is that! We have fewer knights, but we compete head on! “Will we all die as a group?”
“Why not just deploy our troops widely and then fight head-on?”
Meanwhile, the generals continued to argue or refute their own tactics, and the operation was slowly being completed.
I think that if we take advantage of the situation where the enemy’s pride and morale are at a low point and provoke them even a little, they will be forced to do something stupid like François’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 Cressy Plain, I came up with the best and appropriate way to screw them, and finally opened my mouth.
“12th Brigade Commander Peter Jaeger, I have a plan to eliminate those Francois who are not worthy of being called knights.”
See next episode
