NOVPUBChapter 865 -773: Napoleon’s Intuition
Napoleon noticed Victor’s look of confusion and prompted him, “Do you remember Marshal Bolieu’s age?”
“Ah, he seems to be about 69 years old.”
“Yes, 69 years,” Napoleon nodded. “He’s been fighting wars for over 50 years and is extremely experienced.
If he finds that his vanguard encounters no resistance upon entering France, he will undoubtedly become highly cautious.
On the contrary, if we launch a fierce counterattack, he’ll be convinced that Toulon can be easily taken.”
Victor suddenly understood, “Indeed. A victory would encourage the Austrians to advance deeper quickly.”
He then thought of the current deployment of the Italian Front Army and cautiously reminded, “Lieutenant Colonel Buonaparte, isn’t our positioning too far back?”
Napoleon had stationed the French Army west of Nice, leaving the easternmost part of the Toulon Province completely undefended—Nice being the largest city on Toulon’s eastern side was undoubtedly the optimal place to fortify.
Napoleon replied, “The deeper the Austrian Army marches into Toulon, the longer their lines will stretch, providing us greater opportunities to strike at their vulnerabilities.
Moreover, it also conveniently forces Monaco to contribute more military funding.”
Monaco, a small principality in southeastern France, lies about 10 kilometers east of Nice, nestled at the foot of the Alps.
If Austria intends to attack Nice, they must first invade Monaco.
Although the Principality of Monaco is a protectorate of France, it still retains considerable autonomy. Facing Austria’s threat this time, it will surely expend all its resources to resist, thereby becoming even more closely aligned with France in the future.
Victor still appeared hesitant, “Lieutenant Colonel Buonaparte, if the Austrians enter Nice, they can march north to Bres. Yet, we have no defensive lines established north of Toulon…”
“No, you needn’t worry,” Napoleon said confidently, “Bolieu will undoubtedly continue westward to attack the Port of Toulon.”
“Can you tell me your reasoning?”
“Because the British will demand Bolieu to do so; our Mediterranean Fleet is stationed there,” Napoleon tapped his forehead with his finger as he spoke, “And also, my intuition.”
“Couldn’t this…”
Napoleon chuckled, patting him on the back, “You’d better use this time to expedite winter uniforms for the Toulouse Army. We might cross the Alps soon. You understand the snow on the peaks hasn’t melted this time of year.”
…
Eastern Monaco.
Larvotto Town.
After destroying the outpost France had set up at the Cadipona Pass, the Austrian vanguard Provilla Corps immediately faced an attack from the ‘Provence Border Force.’
The Austrians were initially caught off guard, suffering dozens of casualties, but quickly regrouped under Provilla’s command on the frontlines, defeating the several hundred French border troops.
Provilla then complied with Marshal Bolieu’s orders, leading the Grenadier Battalion as an advance guard, rapidly pushing west until reaching the Monaco border at Larvotto Town, once again encountering French forces who had reorganized their defensive lines.
Alongside them were 500 soldiers of the Monaco Royal Guard.
Provilla immediately demonstrated the prowess of an Austrian general.
He simultaneously deployed an infantry regiment to work with the Grenadier Battalion and assault the French-Monaco Allied Army’s defensive positions, while dispatching cavalry to circle north of Monte Carlo and threaten the Monaco Prince’s castle.
The Monaco Guard predictably fell into disarray, hurriedly retreating to Monte Carlo to defend their King.
The 800 French border troops at Larvotto Town were quickly isolated and overwhelmed within two hours by Austrian grenadiers, retreating along with the Monaco guard to Monte Carlo.
Provilla rested his troops in the town overnight and, by the next morning, ordered all 5,000 soldiers to launch a full-scale invasion of Monaco—by yesterday afternoon, his corps had already crossed the Cadipona Pass.
In truth, Monaco’s entire land area was merely comparable in size to the City of Nice.
A 5,000-strong army could practically plow through its territory from end to end.
The French-Monaco Allied Army fired only token shots before escorting the Monaco Prince to escape toward Nice.
Simultaneously, Monaco’s diplomats formally requested military assistance from Paris.
However, the French Army appeared to focus its defenses around Bres, leaving Toulon with very few troops.
It wasn’t until Provilla’s Corps arrived outside the City of Nice that France barely managed to muster about 1,000 soldiers.
Southwestern Sardinia, Sanremo.
At the Austrian Italian Front Army headquarters, Bolieu listened to reports from the frontlines, a smile emerging on his face.
The French indeed hadn’t expected him to advance from the south; Toulon’s sparse defensive troops were clear evidence of this.
Provilla had easily crushed the French defenders and successfully occupied Nice, now serving as a stronghold for his next offensive targeting the Toulon Fortress.
He glanced at the troop deployment map on the wall and instructed an order officer, “Command Argento and Vukasevi to accelerate their march; they must cross the Alps by noon tomorrow.
“Tell them, do not let down their guard.
“Upon entering France, immediately establish camp and dispatch cavalry for reconnaissance. Once the central forces have all passed through the mountain pass, continue advancing.”
“Yes, Marshal.”
After the Order Officer left, Bolieu contemplated briefly, then instructed his staff, “Send a victory report to His Majesty the Emperor, stating that progress on the Italian front is going smoothly; by the time this news reaches Vienna, Toulon should already be under our control.
“Also, remind the British to transport logistics supplies to Lakondamina Port.
“We need to prepare provisions for the offensive toward Bres.”
Lakondamina Port is a small port in Monaco.
Five days later.
Provilla’s Corps left Nice and launched an attack on Cagne Town, 11 kilometers west.
Meanwhile, Austrian Army’s left-wing commander Sai Botendof began besieging the southern Toulon stronghold of Wans.
Provilla lowered his telescope, turning back to the marching column, instructing the Order Officer, “Tell these lazy fellows to quicken their pace—it’ll be ideal if we can camp overnight in Cagne by tonight.”
He had already conducted repeated reconnaissance and confirmed there were no French troops around Nice, making the occupation of towns along the way nothing more than planting the flag.
However, as though Jesus intended to temper his accomplishments, a cavalryman rode up and saluted, “General, French defensive lines have been located outside Cagne with over 3,000 soldiers.”
Provilla frowned, “Where did this unit come from?”
“Judging by the flag, it appears to be the Montpellier Legion, General.”
Provilla nodded. If the Montpellier Legion mobilized through forced marches, it would take about a week to arrive.
He immediately ordered, “The French must already be exhausted—launch the attack immediately!”
“Yes, General!”
That afternoon, Sai Botendof also encountered thousands of French troops at Wans.
He, too, issued an unhesitating order to attack.
