Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 218: The First Battle is in Sedan (I)
"His Royal Highness has arrived!"
"Swish!" About fifty officers in the conference room stood up quickly and raised their right hands in unison to salute.
"Hmm..." Rudolf majestically examined the officers he had spent many years training. After finding no obvious flaws in their appearance, he nodded with satisfaction: "Please take a seat."
"Ding!" The officers sat down in unison again, then moved their chairs in unison and adjusted them to a suitable position from the table.
"Gentlemen, it is now September 1, 1613, and it has been more than eight months since we arrived here. Now, the rainy season on the Lorraine Plateau has ended, the temperature has begun to cool, and the ground has become dry. According to your majesty's instructions, we should go to war with France at this time! Before that, I will ask about our army's preparations for war one last time."
"Your Highness, the Propaganda Department reports to you that all soldiers participating in this battle have participated in at least two presentations on the significance of the battle. All soldiers are very clear about the reasons and purposes of this battle, and they are all eager to fight! One hundred war correspondents have gathered and can report the bravery of our soldiers to the country in detail at any time.
In addition, in the past three months, the Propaganda Department has sent a large number of personnel to infiltrate the interior of France to preach the interview article published by His Majesty in June to the lords and people of various parts of France. It has received the support of many devout believers..."
"Your Highness, the Quartermaster Logistics Department reports that all food and war horses are ready."
"The Equipment Department reports that more than fifty bases of ammunition have been stored for our soldiers, and our navy is still delivering them continuously from the mainland."
"The Military Medical Department reported that in terms of medicines, 10,000 tablets of sulfa have been stored, and the stock of penicillin has been restored to 1,000 sets. All 500 military doctors are in place, and all materials for setting up a field hospital have been prepared."
"The Intelligence Department reports that in the past six months, we have successfully thwarted thirteen spies from France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and hanged at least thirty spies. Currently, our military's logistical and combat readiness materials are all effectively protected."
"The General Staff Office reports that according to the troop dispatch plan issued by His Majesty this time, our army has a total of six divisions, with a full strength of 90,000 people. In addition to officers at all levels, military doctors, military police... the headquarters' direct guards, etc., there should be 100,000 people. There are more than 98,900 people who can be deployed for combat or work at any time.
At present, according to the order of His Royal Highness last month, our six divisions have been fully deployed. Marquis Spinola's 10,000 men have also been deployed to the seven rebellious provinces in the north, covering our retreat. "
After saying this, the chief of staff turned around and bowed slightly to Rudolf: "Your Highness, based on the above report, our army can launch an attack at any time!"
"Very good!" Rudolf nodded with satisfaction. Looking at these young officers who were full of vigor and vitality that he had personally taught, Rudolf felt a great sense of accomplishment in his heart: "Navarro, my chief of staff, you can explain to everyone the specific plan for our first battle against France."
"Yes, Your Highness." Navarro stood up and walked to a wall behind Rudolph. A servant pulled up the curtain. Then, a huge topographic map of the Netherlands and northern France appeared in front of everyone.
"Everyone, according to the report submitted in advance by the General Staff and approved by Your Highness, our army's first target after declaring war on France is here."
Although the chief of staff was facing everyone, there was no doubt that he knew every point on the map: he turned his back to the map and pointed the pointer precisely at a place called Sedan.
The border between Spain and France is the Pyrenees Mountains, which are rugged and have an average altitude of more than 2,000 meters. Such terrain would have been a nightmare for Napoleon even in the 19th century, not to mention the logistical support capabilities of this era.
Fortunately , Spain at this time had enclaves in many parts of Europe besides its homeland, and the Netherlands was like a sharp sword hanging over France's head.
Although the seven northern provinces of the Netherlands had been clamoring for independence at this time, the ten Catholic provinces in the south were loyal supporters of Spain. Therefore, the twins of Spain naturally placed the main force of the new army in the Netherlands - this was the situation of Germany fighting France in the 20th century.
Thanks to the fact that Spain still firmly controlled the Atlantic Ocean, and the nearby Britain and the Netherlands were waiting for the war between Spain and France to start before intervening, the French Navy, which was still very weak at the time, could only watch the Spanish Navy transport countless Spanish soldiers and a large amount of supplies from its homeland to the Netherlands safely.
As for why Sedan was attacked, it was because the terrain of France was generally high in the east and low in the west. In the northeast, it was the Lorraine Plateau, in the southeast, it was the Central Plateau, and the entire western part of the country was the Western European Plain with an average altitude of less than 200 meters.
Since Lorraine belonged to Spanish territory at that time, Sedan, located at the junction of the Lorraine Plateau and the Western European Plain, was the only geographical barrier in northeastern France.
France, of course, had gathered a large number of troops here at this time. And if Spain wanted to attack France from north to south, it would definitely have to take Sedan first.
"According to the report submitted by the Intelligence Department, the French have deployed about ten divisions in Sedan. Of course, I am talking about the old organization. These ten divisions are about 40,000 people. Their commander is Henry II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé of France. These 40,000 people are all native French soldiers. In addition, about 20 kilometers southwest of Sedan, there is a French army of about 20,000 people, which is mainly mercenaries from Germany.
In terms of the enemy's combat readiness, Sedan is now completely fortified. There are three bastions, and the walls are all cemented... According to the information sent back by our intelligence personnel, there are more than 20 cannons on the outermost wall, and the largest caliber is about 16 pounds.
Our army's plan is that if the French army goes out of the city to fight with our army in the field, our army will fight with all its strength. If the French retreat to the fortress, the 5th, 6th and 7th divisions will take the main attack mission of Sedan Fortress. The 8th and 9th divisions will advance to the south of Sedan to serve as the outer defense line. The 10th division will be the general reserve. The General Staff plans to start the battle on September 15 and strive to capture this fortress within half a year. "
"Damn Ottoman time traveler." After cursing secretly in his heart, Rudolf smiled and said, "Everyone, is there anything else you don't understand?"
Seeing all the officers below shaking their heads in silence, Rudolf stood up and said, "I order an envoy to be sent to Paris to formally declare war on France!"
"As you command, Your Highness!"
…
On September 7, the Spanish envoy entered Paris and met with King Henry IV of France. Then the envoy read the Spanish declaration of war to the French monarch and his ministers with a cold face.
"Why? Our two countries have been friendly since ancient times, and both are arms of the Roman Catholic Church. Why would they declare war on our country?"
"Your Majesty, don't you blush when you say these words?" The envoy glanced at Henry IV with pride. "Not to mention that your Majesty's interview a few days ago has already made the affairs of the two countries very clear, and His Holiness the Pope has publicly announced that he will not interfere in this matter. I will just quote a sentence from our Prince Rudolf: 'When declaring war, the weak only ask for reasons, while the strong only look at their mood!'"
