Chapter 267: Respective Battlefields
"Marshal, we've received news from Rome. Lieutenant General Karl has defeated the Kingdom of Italy's army attacking the Pope, and they're preparing to counterattack Florence!" An intelligence agent rushed to Grand Duke Albrecht's headquarters with a telegram. Grand Duke Albrecht I took the telegram, quickly read it, and confirmed the information.
"Excellent! Issue the orders to cross the river and launch a full-scale attack," Grand Duke Albrecht said with excitement. "Now it's up to Emmanuel II to make a choice. If he withdraws his army, chaos will reign on the front lines. If he doesn't, our expeditionary force can march straight to Florence. Hahaha!" Albrecht laughed heartily.
Regarding the Kingdom of Italy's hurried recruitment of personnel to defend Florence, it was feasible, but the Austro-Hungarian Expeditionary Force was composed of the Empire's elite troops, the best of the best. They were not akin to hastily assembled forces organized by the Kingdom of Italy. Such a rabble would be no match for them. Moreover, the number of farmers the Kingdom of Italy could mobilize remained uncertain. If their numbers were small, they would have little impact on the situation.
During these past few days, Albrecht had been waiting for news from Rome. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy were currently engaged on three separate battlefields: the Eastern Front, Rome, and a naval engagement.
The easiest place to break through was Rome, and upon receiving the telegram from Rome, Albrecht wasted no time in making his decision.
With the orders issued, the Austro-Hungarian army, eager for action, advanced beyond the forward positions on the western bank of the Isonzo River. They headed towards the ruined defensive lines along the Isonzo River in Italy, which had been decimated by artillery fire.
...
On the same day that the Austro-Hungarian Empire launched its attack on the Kingdom of Italy, the Battle of Sedan commenced. Prussia had mobilized 248 infantry battalions, 189 cavalry battalions, and more than 800 artillery pieces, constituting an army of over 200,000 soldiers. They were pitted against a French army of only 120,000, and Napoleon III found himself in a perilous situation worse than that in historical accounts.
"Your Majesty, the Prussians' artillery fire is overwhelming, and our own artillery is struggling to retaliate effectively!"
"Your Majesty, Marshal McMahon has been wounded by shell fragments. His condition is critical."
"Our troops are suffering heavy casualties..."
Reports of despair continued to reach the bunker where Napoleon III was stationed, sowing hopelessness throughout the French army.
At this dire moment, William I and Bismarck stood atop a distant hill, observing with satisfaction as their troops assaulted the French positions.
"That's the Bavarian army. Their numbers are decent, but their organizational skills need refinement. They'll need more practice in the future."
"The Hechingen Brigade performed admirably, filled with youthful energy. Unfortunately, their numbers are limited."
"Baden and Württemberg are lacking in capabilities. Clearly, they haven't experienced war for quite some time, and now they're being overwhelmed. However, the officer corps' command abilities are still commendable, but it's a pity that the rank-and-file soldiers couldn't keep up."
"Our army, on the whole, is capable. However, the French are proving to be quite resilient, and they've avoided any major tactical errors. Nonetheless, there can only be one victor."
William I shared his thoughts on the troops in the distance.
"Your Majesty, barring any unforeseen circumstances, victory is all but assured for the Kingdom this time. The final obstacle to German unification is about to be removed," Bismarck commented from behind William I.
"Very well. I've heard that the Hechingen Brigade will be withdrawing from the war soon?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Given that the Hechingen Brigade is comprised of students, they cannot be easily replenished, unlike other units. Therefore, His Royal Highness Ernst has decided to recall the Hechingen Brigade for rest after the Battle of Sedan," Moltke explained.
"That's acceptable. It's clear that France's defeat is imminent. Other states are already planning to stake their claims in Paris. Bavaria's follow-up army has already set out. It's a shame that Hechingen is withdrawing at this juncture," William I lamented.
Given the era's military practices, it was virtually certain that calamity would befall French territory. Even the French army itself was racing to capitalize on the opportunity. The pursuit of riches had compromised military discipline, and Emperor Napoleon III was besieged in Sedan, unable to make a move.
...
The European battlefield was ablaze, but East Africa, which had been the first to witness the outbreak of war, was experiencing sluggish progress. The region's lengthy supply lines and inadequate transportation infrastructure hindered further expansion.
The first mission to be completed was undertaken by the South Route Army, comprised of just a thousand soldiers. Their destination was the Okavango Delta in Botswana, near Zambia. The distance to the southwest, after crossing the Zambezi River, was a mere 100 kilometers.
Botswana, situated within the Kalahari Basin, boasted a predominantly tropical desert climate, with desert terrain covering about 70% of its land area. The western region was even more desolate than Somalia.
The Kalahari Desert, a unique desert, was teeming with plant life, primarily succulents, shrubs, and some trees in the eastern and northern areas. While the Great Lakes region nearby had its own ecological significance, it was destined to be conquered by the South Route Army. The true prize lay further south in South Africa.
"These mosquitoes are relentless!" one East African soldier complained.
Despite their prolonged stay in Africa, encountering a place where mosquitoes seemed to carry people away, like the Okavango Delta, was still a rarity.
"The main reason is the abundance of swamps here, and the water quality isn't great. Although there are many mosquitoes near the Great Lakes, it's not as extreme as this," Carl remarked, swatting away mosquitoes.
"Don't complain. Let's build our camp quickly and gather firewood. If we continue to camp out like this, those mosquitoes will have a feast," another soldier chimed in.
"It's not that exaggerated, but setting up our tents really won't keep those mosquitoes out. Yesterday, they managed to bite through the rainproof fabric a few times. Thankfully, it's not too hot now; otherwise, these mosquitoes would be unbearable," Carl added.
(End of this chapter)