Napoleon in 1812

Chapter 9

2. Battle of Hrodna – 3

“Get the front lines under control! The guy who steps back will be shot on the spot!”

The damage from the lead shots was so severe as they kept moving forward in a dense formation with long columns. But they could not stop now.

“Go ahead and take the enemy’s artillery! That’s the only way we can live!”

Tuchkov made a firm order. At the strict urge of the generals and officers, the 25 Russian infantry battalions clenched their teeth and marched on. Once again, the lead shots were fired, causing a lot of additional damage, but everyone endured it and continued to advance. They were able to reach the front of the enemy’s artillery after completely breaking through the gunfire.

“You did a great job coming all the way here. You servants of the Slavs! Eat the bullets we’ve prepared!”

What awaited them was a pleasant-looking French general and the Chasseur regiment standing in a long line behind him.

“Shoot!”

Tatatatatatatatatata-!!

Their aiming skills, shooting and reloading speed overwelmed the infantry with devastating power. The Russian army, which had even managed to penetrate through the lead shots, collapsed helplessly at the successive fires. The lines were broken one after another and the march was stopped like this. There were also some courageous battalions that ran forward, shouting. But they were struck by intensive fire and fell.

Bang! Boom! Bang! Boom!

The front artillery continued to shoot. For the Russian infantry battalions already tattered by the infantry’s fire, the shots from close range was a disaster. In an instant, dozens of nearby comrades were reduced to corpses. Desperate cries and screams rang out everywhere. The smells of flesh and gunpowder paralyzed their five senses. Even the fearless Russian army was forced to shake.

“Shoot!”

Tatatatatata-!!

The infantry continued to fire. The lines of the Russian battalions were once again shattered due to the indiscriminating fire. Even if the Russian generals and officers persistently pushed the soldiers, it was impossible to control them on the battlefield because of the continous shots. The 25 Russian infantry battalions stopped the march without making a step forward. In the meantime, the number of bodies and injuries had increased countlessly. The distance from the artillery had not narrowed at all.

“Retreat! Retreat!!”

In the end, Tuchkov ordered the retreat. The 25 battalions, which had marched vigorously to capture the Allied artillery, were put to rout in such a disorderly manner.

While Barclay’s troops were defeated by the lead shots and the infantry’s fire, the Bagration Corps on the other side was also facing difficulties. At first, they had seemed almost certain that they were going to occupy the fortress safely. However, the resistance of the Allied soldiers guarding the place was severe enough for even the fierce Russian soldiers to be pushed back.

“Kill the Slavs!”

They should have been made up of soldiers from various countries. Nevertheless, their will to fight was as hard as a rock. They were systematically taking cover after aiming and shooting. Their proficiency clearly showed that they had been trained to do so for a long time.

“Do you dream of winning the war without being able to cross this small obstacle!? The men of Russia don’t learn how to step back!”

The soldiers clenched their teeth and climbed the walls at Brigadier Donetsk’s roar.

Boom! Bang! Boom!

Indiscriminating fire poured on the dense infantry. The Russian soldiers who were advancing were torn apart by shells. The soldiers of the Confederation of the Rhine fight hard and well. Even in the desperate circumstances, they shot relentlessly and did not stop their cannons.

Flap!

But the Russian army’s tactics eventually paid off. The Bagration Corps succeeded in capturing the fortress after a close quarter battle with soldiers prepared for sacrifice. The white flag was hanged on the bastion, but the casualties were too great.

Brigadier Donetsk, who was in charge of the capture of the fortress, looked at his division, which had become tattered like a rag. He struggled with the urge to kill all the surrendered enemies. There were as many as 4,000 casualties from the fortress attack alone.

“Be thankful that you guys are not French. If you were those frogs, I would have put bayonets in your mouth, ready for execution!”

He was not just saying it. If it were the French, they would have been shot without surrender. At the words of Brigadier Donetsk, the officers and soldiers of the Confederation of the Rhine lowered their heads with frightened looks.

===

“Your… Your Majesty the Emperor?”

“I’m busy. Can’t you see it?”

Baron Fain bowed his head at the Emperor’s cold words. He knew it was an urgent situation, but the Emperor, who used to be very friendly (of course, there was a lot of different emotions at that time), was now as sharp as a blade. The Emperor looked at the depressed Baron Fain and sighed.

“Tell me. Before I change my mind.”

“Yes, yes! Then I will ask you in spite of my embarrassment. I wonder why you made the loyal young guards change their clothes and protect Polkan’s bastion (the fortress just occupied by Russia).”

The Emperor thought about it for a moment, then the corners of his mouth went up and he smiled. Baron Fain felt chills on his back when he saw his smile.

“The secretary can’t be curious about strategies and tactics. The Marshal (Berthier) has been secretly pushing you to ask, right?”

“T-That’s not true, Your Majesty!”

The Emperor gazed pleasantly at Baron Fain, who was holding on his pounding heart.

“I believe in their acting and German skills. That’s all.”