Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Franco Eastern Expedition (4)
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I boldly presented my opinion to General Patton, who wore four stars on his uniform, and all eyes in the room turned to me.
The current situation made it clear: with 10,000 enemy troops inside Chavennes Castle, they could strike our rear at any moment by passing through the fortress.
The garrison inside was disrupting our plan to plunder villages as we advanced, creating a major variable that had everyone racking their brains.
So, when I claimed I could devise a solid plan in an instant, it was no wonder they were stunned.
"If it's not some absurd nonsense, I won't reprimand you. Speak up."
"Thank you, General."
With that, I pointed my baton at the map of Chavennes Castle and the surrounding area pinned to the briefing tent's bulletin board and began.
"First off, I doubt any general in our Eastern Expeditionary Force would propose assaulting Chavennes Castle directly."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
We were advancing diagonally along the Reich Empire's border to the east of the Franco Republic, so we could receive ample supplies from the Empire via other routes bypassing the castle.
Along the way to the Crecy Plains where we'd face the enemy main force, we could gather enough food by raiding villages.
There was no need to risk capturing Chavennes Castle just for logistics.
Even with our forces outnumbering theirs five or six to one, there was no guarantee of success in a siege.
And even if we succeeded, storming a fortress held by over 10,000 defenders would cost us thousands of casualties at minimum.
"The textbook approach would be to disperse in brigade-sized units, but that risks us being picked off individually by those 10,000 Franco Republican troops. Even halving the number of villages we raid, we should operate in division strength to avoid unnecessary losses."
That would cut the area we could plunder in half, reducing the damage inflicted on the enemy.
Then, when I later joined postwar negotiations as a brigadier general, it would be harder to demand they cede their eastern territories—whose reconstruction timeline was unpredictable—in lieu of reparations.
Our planned advance route encompassed all villages that could provide even minimal local supplies to the Franco Republican main army.
Halving our raiding range would improve their food situation proportionally.
That would lessen the drop in their troops' stamina and morale, potentially jeopardizing our victory.
"In my view, it's better to lure those 10,000 garrison troops out of the castle on their own and secure victory before a full-scale battle."
Commander Patton looked at me gravely and said,
"True, if we dangle the right bait, they'll have no choice but to dance to our tune. So, what's your plan to draw them out?"
If Count Venner or the other generals were here, they might say:
'Wearing down the enemy's morale and stamina is key, but there's no need to attempt the reckless feat of luring out over 10,000 troops.'
Because tossing out tempting bait was tantamount to handing the enemy a favorable position for victory.
Success meant a jackpot, but failure would erode our own morale and strength before clashing head-on with the Franco Republic and the Reich Empire.
True to his love of assaults and reckless offensives, he wasn't shying away from a worthy challenge.
"My 12th Brigade will volunteer as bait."
At that, General Patton slapped my shoulder and laughed like a maniac.
"You're insane! While others scheme to outnumber the enemy and fight from advantageous positions, you're volunteering for the roughest fight?"
Half the generals, excluding Patton, glared at me as if to snap, "Are you mad?"
But they couldn't outright dismiss the words of a mere brigadier general bearing the Golden Knight's Sword Medal without even hearing him out.
They adopted attitudes daring anyone to speak up.
The rest watched me with eyes hinting at eager anticipation, given my track record of achievements, wondering what revolutionary plan I'd unveil.
I pointed my baton at a forest path near the area marked "Hatin" on the bulletin board map and said,
"Three days' march from here lies Hatin, a natural fortress flanked by woods and backed by a deep river."
Building a castle there would be impractical in many ways, so the Franco Republic hadn't bothered.
But based on scout reports, it was ideal terrain for a brigade to fortify as a field stronghold and defend.
"Perfect for a defensive battle. Go on."
"The Expeditionary Force advances together to here. My brigade brings up the rear and fortifies Hatin upon arrival. The enemy will have no choice but to pursue."
The Franco Republic's leadership and nobles, dismissed by the Pope, must be in utter despair.
They'd be praying thrice daily for victory over the Reich Empire forces.
In that state, hearing some fools—far better than nothing—build a low-value field fortress and hunker down would be too much for their garrison commander to ignore, especially with only 4,000 troops.
Even 4,000 was a victory if struck preemptively, boosting their morale.
They were desperate for even the smallest win.
"Exactly! The Franco Republicans, scraping by on snails, have rock-bottom morale after the Pope's dismissal decree. Then Peter Jaeger, the Empire's famed general, hands them a victory on a platter? How could they resist!? Haha!"
True to his assault-mad nature, his brusque personality summed up my point perfectly.
"But if you lose, our morale hits rock bottom. How do you address that?"
In my assessment, once we reached Hatin properly, defeat was virtually impossible for my brigade.
I'd won far more lopsided and dangerous battles before.
From the intel I'd gathered on the Franco troops, they were like Hundred Years' War French forces, practically worshipping knightly charges.
There was zero chance they wouldn't fall into my trap.
Still, the general had set the stage, so I'd deliver a flair-filled response.
"If you approve the plan, sir, I'll deliver victory even if it costs every last man in my brigade. So please, don't even consider defeat."
Commander Patton nodded.
I hadn't mentioned it, but even coldly calculating: if I somehow got annihilated,
Strategically, sticking to the original plan of ravaging the east was more profitable.
But given our circumstances, my proposal was the best—no, the optimal plan.
I didn't entertain defeat from the start anyway.
"Good. Station the 12th Brigade at Hatin, and the Expeditionary Force disperses by brigade to raze their territory as planned!"
The generals nodded.
"Though no matter how I think about it..."
General Patton grinned, then drew a line on the map 1.3 times longer than our planned route.
"Considering Brigadier General Jaeger's sacrifice, ransacking just the east won't cut it! Why not plunder to their capital Goblen and loop back to the Crecy Plains?"
Factoring in the time for the enemy to reach Crecy Plains, we'd need that distance plus ample rest.
The troops would march and plunder at full throttle for the next two months.
In other words, march nonstop except for sleep.
Vintage insane-commander tactic from a fast-maneuver fanatic.
The generals wanted to object, but the commander's authority and the military logic deeming Patton's directive optimal left them sighing in resignation.
"We'll trust Brigadier General Jaeger alone and advance the original plan—or farther—to corner the Franco Republic! Everyone, get moving."