Chapter 379 Battle of Namur
West of Namur, after an unknown amount of time, a French infantry regiment responsible for supporting the north gate was almost wiped out. Only less than 600 of the 2,500-man siege team survived. Those who survived either thought it was just a dream or were too seriously injured to fight again.
This battle was Jean Durd's first defeat since breaking through the Franco-Belgian border, and it was such a tragic defeat that nearly one-third of his troops were directly lost.
Ironically, despite such a huge loss, his officers were unable to effectively distinguish the number of the enemy, and only knew that it was a large-scale cavalry group.
As for what weapons were used, what tactics were adopted, and which German state's army it was, they didn't know anything.
Jean Durd, who was angry and embarrassed, immediately shot his two regiment commanders. Although he did not have the right to do so, he could not care so much at this time.
The most urgent task was to retreat to the Hainaut Province on the Franco-Belgian border, replenish troops and supplies, and hold on for help. Although he was reluctant to give up the opportunity to be a hero, the fact before him was that a powerful enemy army had already set its sights on him.
After thinking it over, Jean Durde ordered his men to gather the remaining troops that survived the siege of Namur quickly, take away everything that could be taken away, and destroy anything that could not be taken away on the spot, and not leave any items to the enemy.
Senior officials from the provinces of Hainaut and Bratban said that they would not go to France together, but Jean Durde raised an arc at the corner of his mouth.
"We are heroes who come to save you. Do you want to betray us and become the running dogs of the German Confederation?"
Facing the black muzzle of the gun, the two senior officials said repeatedly.
"Don't dare, don't dare, long live France, long live General Durde."
Jean Durde nodded with great satisfaction, and just as he was about to go out, a messenger stumbled in.
"Report! The general discovered that the German Confederation Army is the first army of Austria."
"You came at the right time! I am fighting against the elite, brothers, follow me to break through the front!"
On January 5, 1843, General Jean Durde died, 7,000 French soldiers died in battle, and 8,000 were captured.
In Namur, Albrecht finally met Prince William Friedrich Ludwig, the deputy commander-in-chief of the coalition forces who had been besieged for several days.
"Archduke Albrecht, you are our savior, and you are quite like your father."
"You are also quite like your ancestors. The capital was breached in 18 days. And now you are blocked in the city with twice the number of troops than your opponent," Albrecht muttered softly.
"What did you say just now?"
"Nothing, I mean I frightened you. These damn Frenchmen broke the covenant and attacked their allies privately. How about leaving them to your army to deal with?"
Albrecht didn't care about these prisoners. It's better to say that they are some hot potatoes. Franz said that he would treat the prisoners well, but at this time the German Confederation obviously had deep resentment towards them, and the local people also said that they would be executed.
Albrecht simply threw the pot directly to Prussia, and he could do a favor.
Prince William Friedrich Ludwig's attitude immediately changed from gratitude for being rescued just now to respect at this moment.
Because in the latter's perspective, the former gave the credit to himself, which was the key to Prussia's face-saving. So, he asked with concern.
"What about you?"
"Haha, I'm afraid I have to rush back to prove that I'm still alive. After all, Vienna is in chaos now."
It was indeed as Albrecht said, Friedrich was clamoring to attack the French mainland from Toulon to avenge his elder brother. Franz was also preparing to go to the front line and appointed Julius Jacob von Heinau as his deputy.
This Heinau was also known as the Executioner of Arad, the Hyena of Brescia and the Tiger of Habsburg. In short, he was a ruthless character. If he was asked to fight such a war of revenge, it was probably inevitable that people would suffer.
Fortunately, Albrecht returned safely and unscathed, and also dealt with the arrogant French army.
The dramatic and repeated reversals of the war situation made the ruling classes of various countries a little confused. King William II of the Netherlands, who learned the result, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he did not follow the British advice to set up a plan to pursue the Austrian army in the rear, otherwise he would have hit a wall.
It has been nearly a week since 1843, and the total strength of the German Confederation Volunteer Army in Wallonia and Luxembourg has reached nearly 200,000.
The 20,000 French troops before had been completely eaten up, and all the French troops who wanted to invade the Franco-Belgian border afterwards were rejected. It seems that all this is just a strategy of the German Confederation to lure the enemy deep into the country. Fortunately, his lover persuaded him.
Miss Caroline, William II's secret lover, also breathed a sigh of relief. She never expected that the German Confederation's army would be so useless. Prussia is really worthy of being the shame of the great powers.
Then the question is, how did this kind of waste destroy his own country, Poland.
Franz was also a little confused by the war situation. How could the German Confederation's army of more than 100,000 be beaten and scattered by the mere 20,000 French troops? Could it be that Prussia did it on purpose?
But it seemed unlikely. Franz suddenly thought of another possibility. Could it be the micromanagement of Captain Chang during the anti-encirclement campaign?
After several twists and turns, the Austrian War Department was enraged. They felt that the French were treacherous and did not deserve the land that had been agreed upon in advance.
Metternich, the master of balance, naturally had to come out to smooth things over, present facts and reason, and explain the strength of the French army and the importance of France in this crisis.
Count Korolov, the financial steward, admitted that Austria needed France, but the French had to pay a price for such a huge loss this time.
Albrecht, who returned victorious, gave his own opinion. He felt that the French army's looting in Wallonia had already made them lose the support of the people.
Now it is entirely possible to use voting to decide the ownership of Wallonia. At least in comparison, most local people miss the days of the Austrian Netherlands more than the civilized France that plundered them crazily.
However, this proposal was immediately strongly opposed by Franz. Once Louis Philippe failed to gain benefits, this local conflict would evolve into a large-scale war.
Moreover, Russia has not yet expressed its position. Austria, located in the center of the European continent, cannot afford this risk, but its request for Namur or neutralization of the area can be considered.
And the locals who have just experienced the war will definitely agree with this approach. In addition, Austria can provide land and other types of assistance to Belgians who do not want to be French.
They can choose to settle in the empire's overseas colonies or other undeveloped lands, and the church will do its best to provide relevant conveniences.
Although most Belgians in Wallonia speak French, many of them can actually understand a little German or Dutch. More importantly, they can be dispersed and distributed to various places, and they will automatically become Austrians in ten or twenty years.
At the same time, this French atrocities in Wallonia can be used to make a good article. After all, Britain and France are the so-called world beacons at this time, and Franz does not want to be attracted to immigrants by other countries.
This series of reversals also made the people on the other side of the strait numb. They first heard that a new Napoleon appeared in France, and then died on the battlefield in the blink of an eye.
Paris first claimed to avenge him, and the next day it turned to accuse him of deliberately provoking war and destroying the friendship between France and the German Confederation.