Chapter Four – Stabilising the Austrian Front
Following the fall of Padua, von Bubna-Littitz retreats with the remaining Austrian army towards the port of Trieste. The French advance has concentrated on the land between Italy and Vienna, so the Sloevenian lands to the east are a safe haven for the Austrians, who can replenish their supplies and manpower. Etienne, left in command of the region following Napoleon’s departure north follows the defeated Austrians towards Trieste. Although the Cavalerie Italie are exhausted from their campaign in Prussia and excretions around Padua, the fight is not yet finished.
Klein, Souham and Cartaeux, although mindful of the need to rest their men, agree that until a stable line is established or an armistice signed, the Cavalerie cannot withdraw from Austria.
After a few weeks march, Etienne arrives at Gorizia, and finds that the Austrian’s have turned to offer battle. Johann Radetzky is now in charge, but commands only 13,000 bruised and battered men. Klein’s centre delivers a massed bombardment along the length of the Austrian lines, while the few skirmishers they send into the field are killed. Souham orders his light infantry to advance on the right, but they are forced back under determined fire from the Austrian line infantry. The Austrians attempt to use their few horses to harass out lines, but suffer heavy losses in their first charge and are wiped out as they attempt to withdraw.
Klein orders his guards onwards, and their assault causes the Austrians to waver and break. Radetzky leads his 6,800 survivors deeper into the Slovenian highlands.
Both the French and Austrian armies will exhausted at the short battle of Gorizia, but it did end Austrian participation in the Venetian theatre.
The battered Austrian’s do not stop in Slovenia, and scouts soon report that they have been sighted heading towards Vienna. The 25,000 survivors in the Cavalerie Italie are ordered to remain and siege Trieste, a major coastal town and base to a large number of Austrian warships. A second French force occupies a more advanced position and begins the siege at Flaum.
The French armies occupying Austria’s ports.
On the 18th November, after a short siege, Trieste falls giving Etienne command of the region. With the region secure, Etienne is given permission to withdraw his army back into Germany to reinforce. The Cavalerie begin what will be a difficult winter’s march through the Alps.
Initially stationed in Ulm, Etienne and his generals look forward to a few months of peace where supplies can be replenished, and hopefully more men will be available to swell the ranks. Currently the Cavaleriei are still below 50% strength, and Carteaux’s flank in particular have less than 2,000 men combat ready.
On the 24th December however, we receive news that the German state of Nassau has been enticed into the British coalition, and has declared war. A small band of warriors are said to be harassing border towns, and so Etienne is ordered north.
In early January we reach Koblenz on the border, and find that around 2,000 soldiers from Nassau have been raiding and burning villages. The guilty party is soon intercepts and are rapidly overrun in the Rheingau, and On the 8th January Etienne orders his men to cross the Rhein and take the town of Nassau.
The severe weather means that losses in the siege are not insubstantial, and when his engineers reported a breach on the 9th of February Etienne gathered his generals.
Etienne: Monsieur’s, I know the men are far from full strength, but this siege is taking a heavy toll on all of us. I propose that we act to end it as soon as possible. We have reports that a passable breach has been formed by our artillery in the south wall. They have less than 1,000 able bodied defenders, and are not professionally trained or led. I propose an immediate assault, before any action can be taken to render the breach harder to pass.
Klein: My General, you have my agreement. I have enough men to storm this town, and the sooner we end this the better for us all. I fear another few weeks of this biting cold could be costly, and I see no sign of fairer weather yet.
Carteaux: I agree that an early end to the siege is desirable, but I am concerned that my already depleted soldiers cannot afford to suffer and further losses. I therefore endorse the action, but request that my men may be excused from the front line.
Etienne: This I can agree to Jean, I do not want you flank to lose any more experience, especially as we all hope to gain new recruits in the near future. What say you, Souham?
Souham: My General, I too am happy at the prospect of this forsaken siege ending soon. Let us conclude this chapter tonight!
Etienne: Very well Monsieur’s, prepare your artillery for a massed bombardment, and take volunteers for the Forlone Hope.
The battle begins on the evening of the 6th February. The Forlon Hope, as well as a small detachment of Dutch volunteers, creep towards the breach. Over 5,000 French cannon pour their murderous rain on the defenders, and the moment the last shells crash into the walls the volunteers storm the breach. Resistance is almost non-existent, those who have survived the barrage are not able to muster any resistance, and many only come to their senses after French troops have taken possession of the town. Klein orders his elite Guards through the breach immediately after the volunteers, ensuring discipline while the town is searched.
Not a single French casualty was suffered during the siege, but the allied Dutch who arrived just before the attack questioned Etienne’s use of force for what was a provisional town.
Following the fall of Padua, von Bubna-Littitz retreats with the remaining Austrian army towards the port of Trieste. The French advance has concentrated on the land between Italy and Vienna, so the Sloevenian lands to the east are a safe haven for the Austrians, who can replenish their supplies and manpower. Etienne, left in command of the region following Napoleon’s departure north follows the defeated Austrians towards Trieste. Although the Cavalerie Italie are exhausted from their campaign in Prussia and excretions around Padua, the fight is not yet finished.
Klein, Souham and Cartaeux, although mindful of the need to rest their men, agree that until a stable line is established or an armistice signed, the Cavalerie cannot withdraw from Austria.
After a few weeks march, Etienne arrives at Gorizia, and finds that the Austrian’s have turned to offer battle. Johann Radetzky is now in charge, but commands only 13,000 bruised and battered men. Klein’s centre delivers a massed bombardment along the length of the Austrian lines, while the few skirmishers they send into the field are killed. Souham orders his light infantry to advance on the right, but they are forced back under determined fire from the Austrian line infantry. The Austrians attempt to use their few horses to harass out lines, but suffer heavy losses in their first charge and are wiped out as they attempt to withdraw.
Klein orders his guards onwards, and their assault causes the Austrians to waver and break. Radetzky leads his 6,800 survivors deeper into the Slovenian highlands.
Both the French and Austrian armies will exhausted at the short battle of Gorizia, but it did end Austrian participation in the Venetian theatre.
The battered Austrian’s do not stop in Slovenia, and scouts soon report that they have been sighted heading towards Vienna. The 25,000 survivors in the Cavalerie Italie are ordered to remain and siege Trieste, a major coastal town and base to a large number of Austrian warships. A second French force occupies a more advanced position and begins the siege at Flaum.
The French armies occupying Austria’s ports.
On the 18th November, after a short siege, Trieste falls giving Etienne command of the region. With the region secure, Etienne is given permission to withdraw his army back into Germany to reinforce. The Cavalerie begin what will be a difficult winter’s march through the Alps.
Initially stationed in Ulm, Etienne and his generals look forward to a few months of peace where supplies can be replenished, and hopefully more men will be available to swell the ranks. Currently the Cavaleriei are still below 50% strength, and Carteaux’s flank in particular have less than 2,000 men combat ready.
On the 24th December however, we receive news that the German state of Nassau has been enticed into the British coalition, and has declared war. A small band of warriors are said to be harassing border towns, and so Etienne is ordered north.
In early January we reach Koblenz on the border, and find that around 2,000 soldiers from Nassau have been raiding and burning villages. The guilty party is soon intercepts and are rapidly overrun in the Rheingau, and On the 8th January Etienne orders his men to cross the Rhein and take the town of Nassau.
The severe weather means that losses in the siege are not insubstantial, and when his engineers reported a breach on the 9th of February Etienne gathered his generals.
Etienne: Monsieur’s, I know the men are far from full strength, but this siege is taking a heavy toll on all of us. I propose that we act to end it as soon as possible. We have reports that a passable breach has been formed by our artillery in the south wall. They have less than 1,000 able bodied defenders, and are not professionally trained or led. I propose an immediate assault, before any action can be taken to render the breach harder to pass.
Klein: My General, you have my agreement. I have enough men to storm this town, and the sooner we end this the better for us all. I fear another few weeks of this biting cold could be costly, and I see no sign of fairer weather yet.
Carteaux: I agree that an early end to the siege is desirable, but I am concerned that my already depleted soldiers cannot afford to suffer and further losses. I therefore endorse the action, but request that my men may be excused from the front line.
Etienne: This I can agree to Jean, I do not want you flank to lose any more experience, especially as we all hope to gain new recruits in the near future. What say you, Souham?
Souham: My General, I too am happy at the prospect of this forsaken siege ending soon. Let us conclude this chapter tonight!
Etienne: Very well Monsieur’s, prepare your artillery for a massed bombardment, and take volunteers for the Forlone Hope.
The battle begins on the evening of the 6th February. The Forlon Hope, as well as a small detachment of Dutch volunteers, creep towards the breach. Over 5,000 French cannon pour their murderous rain on the defenders, and the moment the last shells crash into the walls the volunteers storm the breach. Resistance is almost non-existent, those who have survived the barrage are not able to muster any resistance, and many only come to their senses after French troops have taken possession of the town. Klein orders his elite Guards through the breach immediately after the volunteers, ensuring discipline while the town is searched.
Not a single French casualty was suffered during the siege, but the allied Dutch who arrived just before the attack questioned Etienne’s use of force for what was a provisional town.
