Chapter 250: The Enemy is in Paris
As the Prussian and German Allied forces had set up a solid line of defense on the east bank of the Rhine River, the situation at the frontline remained relatively calm. The French had yet to mobilize their troops effectively, and Prussia, with its efficient mobilization, was not in a rush to initiate combat. Troops and equipment continued to converge on the front lines through railways and canals.
In the frontline headquarters, Field Marshal Moltke explained the combat plan to King William I and others. He advocated defending along the Rhine River, as the Vosges Mountains, Alsace, and Lorraine regions divided the French forces. The French would also have difficulty mobilizing their entire army through the limited rail capacity in Strasbourg. Thus, standing defensively along the Rhine made strategic sense.
King William I inquired about the status of troop assembly, and Moltke reported that the Prussian active-duty army was already assembled, but the conscripts from various states and the third army in the south had yet to arrive at the front line.
The Prussian military had an efficient telegraph network, thanks to Werner von Siemens, which allowed for real-time communication and coordination. This was crucial in orchestrating the movement of troops and supplies.
Moltke had long desired a war with France and had been planning for such a conflict since the establishment of the North German Confederation. However, Bismarck had previously opposed such a war, fearing that Prussia would be seen as the aggressor. Instead, it was the Ems Dispatch incident that finally led to war when France declared war on Prussia.
Napoleon III, on the other hand, found himself deceived by his subordinates regarding the readiness of French troops. France's colonial activities had dispersed its forces across various colonies, and while the French soldiers were skilled, they were scattered.
Napoleon III had followed a policy of neutrality in Europe, focusing on colonial expansion. He had cooperated with the British in various endeavors and had also been involved in conflicts in Mexico, Southeast Asia, North Africa, and more. This had led to the dispersion of French forces.
Moreover, Napoleon III was frustrated with the performance of the logistics department, which was struggling to supply the troops in a timely manner. The sudden declaration of war had caught them off guard, and the logistics system was not operating at full capacity.
Napoleon III reprimanded both the logistics and intelligence departments, demanding that supplies reach the front lines within ten days and expressing frustration with their lack of preparation. The intelligence department cited the difficulties in gathering information on the Prussian army due to its unique nature and the vast territory of Germany.
Napoleon III realized that the real enemy was not Prussia but the ineffectiveness and disorganization within his own government. The different factions within France were hoping for a failure, which further complicated the situation. The enemy, it seemed, was not across the border but within the walls of Paris itself.