Chapter 754: Superior Numbers
Even now, Gaillard felt like he was dreaming.
Just moments ago, he had resigned himself to surrender—yet now, the French army had seemingly descended from the heavens right before his eyes.
And this wasn't just a small cavalry unit sent to assist him; it was a full-scale force, complete with infantry, artillery, and a large number of troops!
Before long, the police officers realized what was happening. Overcome with joy, they embraced one another, breaking out in cheers.
"It's the French! We're saved!"
"I can't believe they arrived so quickly!"
"Long live His Majesty the King!"
"Long live the King! Long live France! Teach those damned Austrians a lesson!"
Shortly after, a squad of French cavalry confirmed the police unit's identity. A French officer, accompanied by hundreds of cheering policemen, approached Gaillard and tipped his hat.
"You must be Chief Superintendent Gaillard?"
"That's me." Gaillard, overcome with emotion, saluted. "You arrived just in time! Thank you, brave warriors of France!"
"You've also proven your worth with an exceptional performance." The officer gestured behind him. "His Highness, the Crown Prince, requests your presence."
Near Gaillard
The fortifications of Gaillard were well-built, with at least one stone wall tall enough for two men to stand beneath.
Davout had been preparing to lift the siege and order his troops to overwhelm the Austrians retreating behind the walls. But suddenly, he reconsidered and turned to his messenger.
"Have Meyer and Philippe's companies shift south and drive the Austrians out of the city."
Lieutenant-General Vézinet hesitated before attempting to dissuade the French Crown Prince. "Your Highness, isn't this a bit risky?"
Lefavre nodded in agreement. "The cavalry squadron should circle north to disrupt enemy reinforcements from retreating into the city."
With an air of confidence, the French Crown Prince pressed his legs against his horse's sides. "There's no need to worry. Tonight, you'll be resting in Gaillard."
Joseph patted him reassuringly before asking, "Are there enemy forces on Gaillard's eastern and western flanks?"
Having fought in the Brabant uprising, Joseph was well aware of the strength of these troops.
Joseph smiled. "In fact, three regiments should be enough to retake Gaillard. However, General Vézinet prefers a more cautious approach."
The 500 Austrian soldiers under heavy French fire had no choice but to retreat northward. Meanwhile, the French troops maintained just enough distance to keep them from breaking ranks completely.
Fevre was visibly shocked. "General, but the Austrians have over ten thousand men..."
Indeed, this was no small task.
Half an hour later, an Austrian infantry battalion had already reached the city walls of Gaillard.
South of Gaillard
Davout was commanding his troops in an encirclement operation against a 500-man Austrian infantry battalion when a messenger suddenly arrived with orders from General Lefavre—immediate assault on Gaillard.
Under heavy enemy fire, some Austrian soldiers desperately shouted for their comrades to "Open the gates! Let us inside!" Others began scaling the walls—climbing up by stepping on each other's shoulders.
"Yes, Your Highness, I believe so as well."
5,000 fresh French troops would be more than enough to deal with them.
Vézinet looked at the young Crown Prince in astonishment before respectfully saluting. "It is truly an honor to see you here, Your Highness! You've saved us..."
Outside the city, the Austrian soldiers firing from behind the battlements were thrown into chaos, their gunfire weakening significantly.
Fevre turned to Lefavre. "General, should we have the Walloon police support you? We still have nearly 3,000 men fit for battle."
Lefavre bent down and patted his shoulder. "I appreciate the offer, but my soldiers will be enough to defeat the enemy. Let your men rest—they've fought well these past few days."
Besides, Count Radetzky's forces were split between inside and outside the city, giving Lefavre the perfect opportunity to eliminate them in sections.
"The Crown Prince himself is here?!"
"You will personally lead the frontal assault," Joseph ordered. "Have the Seventh Skirmisher Regiment advance toward the western side of the city and launch a surprise attack from there."
He pointed to the map north of Gaillard. "Their main force should still be in the northern part of the city. This morning, two or three regiments likely managed to enter Gaillard."
Joseph nodded and turned to Lefavre. "The enemy numbers are large—we should strike immediately before they fully consolidate their hold on Gaillard."
The Austrian troops facing them were mostly recruited from the Flemish region or from the Netherlands. These Dutch-speaking soldiers were generally regarded as some of the weakest within the Austrian army.
Lefavre saluted the Crown Prince, then dismounted and signaled several officers to follow him to the front lines.
"Only four regiments—about 6,000 men—yet they are launching a full-scale assault on the Austrians!"
The Rethel Corps and other veteran units were quick-marching toward the battlefield, but the Seventh Royal Infantry Division, having departed from Artois, would not arrive until the day after tomorrow.
At that moment, the rapid beat of war drums echoed through Davout's army.
Five battalions swiftly formed up and charged toward Gaillard.
As they moved, Captain Kersaud approached and bowed. "Your Highness, Chief Superintendent Fevre has arrived."
"Very well. Let's proceed."
Joseph nodded in greeting and turned the map toward him. "Mr. Fevre, tell me about Vézinet's movements."
Under a large elm tree, Joseph studied the wooden-framed map and instructed Fevre. "Tell Major Davout's regiment to bypass the Walloon police and continue advancing eastward. We have too few cavalrymen—he must prevent the Austrians from retreating to Wavre."
"You left Leclerc's forces outside the city to continue fighting, but they only have around 600 men left. By now, they're probably..."
"At least we're not under attack from both sides, Your Highness."
In less than 15 minutes, two of Davout's companies had maneuvered southeast of Vézinet's position. They quickly formed into line formation and began pressing northward against the Austrian infantry battalion.
"Yes, His Highness is always with his troops."
"Make sure not to push too hard—leave them some hope of survival."
The French troops arriving at Gaillard were all elite soldiers from the royal guard units.
"Huh?" Vézinet hadn't expected the French Crown Prince to ask him about military strategy. Stunned for a moment, he quickly stepped up to the map. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Yes, Colonel!"
Davout's regiment consisted mostly of graduates from the seventh class of the Paris Military Academy.
They were soon to become part of the prestigious Royal First Guard Corps, meaning that in terms of training, morale, and equipment, they far outmatched their Austrian opponents.
"The Austrian commander is Count Radetzky. He has at least 10,000 troops—perhaps even more. Our cavalry police were driven off by enemy hussars, so gathering detailed intelligence has been difficult."
South of Wavre
Fevre hesitated. "How many troops did you bring, Your Highness? Surely tens of thousands?"
Lefavre chuckled. "Around four regiments have arrived at Gaillard."
(End of chapter.)
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