Chapter 931: 839: Perfect Plan

Chapter 931: Chapter 839: Perfect Plan

Joseph nodded, “Yes, the Fourth Infantry Division will be the first to reach the Ardennes Plateau.”

Massena was overjoyed, discreetly clenched his fist and said, “Great! With so many reinforcements, we can launch a counterattack against Ferdinand!”

After the armies of Thuringia and Upper Hesse were crushed, the Allied Forces had an army of nearly 140,000 on paper, but 30,000 of Duke of York’s men had just arrived north of the Ardennes Plateau and had not yet entered the battlefield.

Additionally, 15,000 troops were used to besiege the Luxembourg Fortress, so the main force fighting on the Ardennes Plateau was only about 95,000 people.

And when the French Southern Netherlands army arrives here, Massena’s forces will reach 83,000 people.

If he recalls Udino Corps’s 5,000 men who are hunting outside, it will be 88,000.

On the Ardennes Plateau side, the French Army’s numbers will be quite close to those of the Allied Forces.

With a similar number of troops, the French Army’s combat power definitely surpasses the Allied Forces.

In this situation, Massena is fully confident of winning a great counterattack victory in Luxembourg.

He calmly planned again, looked at Joseph and said, “Your Highness, if the Fourth Infantry Division can hold Frederick’s Army for half a month, no, ten days will do, I am confident of defeating Ferdinand’s main forces!”

He hadn’t launched a counterattack before, partly because of the large disparity in troop strength, and partly because he was worried that if he faced off against Brunswick’s army in Luxembourg, once Duke of York arrived from the north, he would form a pincer attack against him.

Now, however, with an elite unit going to stop Duke of York, things are completely different.

But the Fourth Infantry Division has only about 10,000 men, and to hold off Duke of York’s 30,000 army for ten days is no easy task.

Joseph thought for a moment and shook his head, “I think it’s completely unnecessary for the Fourth Infantry Division to be responsible for blocking.”

“The Walloon Corps and Atuwa Corps, plus the American volunteers, have a total of 18,000 people, which should be enough to hold Frederick for ten days.”

“Duke of York’s forces rushed all the way from Antwerp and are already very fatigued. And we can use Burgplatz Peak to set up our defense line.”

Burgplatz Peak is the highest point in the central-northern Ardennes Plateau, although only more than 500 meters in altitude, it is still usable terrain.

Massena looked more relaxed, “If they can complete the interception task, perhaps we will achieve decisive victory in less than ten days.”

With the Royal Fourth Infantry Division joining the attack sequence, the operational plan he could carry out became even more enriched.

He continued, “Our army will abandon the frontline defense, then charge down the Ardennes Plateau from Diekirch and Leudange directions, forming a pincer attack on the enemy’s rear forces.”

“If things go smoothly, we can cut Ferdinand’s forces in half, or at least sever the enemy’s logistical supply routes.”

“Afterwards, relying on our combat strength superiority, we’ll keep pressing the enemy southwest…”

He sighed with some regret, “It’s a pity the enemy has surrounded the Luxembourg Fortress, and we can’t contact General Bertier for the time being.”

“If he could launch a counterattack from Luxembourg City direction at the same time, it would cause even heavier blows to the enemy.”

Joseph nodded, “The forces in Luxembourg City are indeed somewhat wasted.”

Massena blamed himself, “Previously worried about too many enemy troops besieging the fortress, I sent Major Sult with a regiment to strengthen the defenses there, otherwise we would have more troops for the counterattack…”

Upon hearing this, Joseph squinted his eyes, “Are you saying Major Sult is in the Luxembourg Fortress?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Joseph couldn’t help but smile, “Perhaps, the forces there won’t be wasted.”

He indeed didn’t have much confidence in Bertier’s ability to command corps operations, but if Sult is also there, that’s a different story.

This future French Marshal, one of the “three giants” rated by Napoleon, is known for his calmness and acuity, and his ability to grasp opportunities is absolutely among the top tier of European generals.

Joseph believes he will certainly remind Bertier to launch the counterattack at the most appropriate moment.

This will make the battle of Luxembourg enter into the rhythm Massena most hopes for.

While listening to Massena’s subsequent operational deployment, Joseph suddenly thought of something, raised his hand to interrupt him and said:

“Perhaps, we can put more trust in General Bertier, as well as Major Sult.”

Massena looked at him in surprise, “What do you mean?”

Joseph said, “After we have intercepted the enemy forces at Diekirch line, if Duke of Brunswick reacts fast enough, he may immediately retreat north and withdraw to the north of Saar River.”

“In that case, we will still face a decisive battle in the future.”

Massena nodded at his words.

The Allied Forces have nearly 100,000 troops. Even if their rear got attacked, Duke of Brunswick might be able to gather 60,000 to 70,000 troops to retreat.

Afterwards, if he joins forces with Duke of York, defending by Saar River, we will inevitably have to fight a tough battle if we want to advance into the Rhineland.

Joseph continued, “We should focus on eliminating the Allied Forces’ strength.”

“For example, lure Duke of Brunswick’s corps deep into the Ardennes Plateau while entrusting the main attack to General Bertier over there.”

Massena was indeed a military genius. As soon as Joseph finished his words, he quickly drafted a specific operational plan in his mind, “You mean, our army feigns defeat and retreats in the Ardennes Plateau, attracting the enemy’s main forces into southwest Viertz.”

“Then General Bertier leads the troops in Luxembourg City to advance north from behind the enemy, cross the Saar River, attack Trier, and then directly take Koblenz.”

Koblenz is the most important crossing in the northern section of the Rhine River. Capturing it not only cuts off the Allied Forces’ road to retreat to the east bank of Rhine, but also secures a bridgehead for further attacking the Germanic heartland.

As Massena spoke, his eyes gleamed with excitement, “When Duke of Brunswick receives the news, there will definitely be panic. Our army will then launch a pursuit battle on the Ardennes Plateau…”

He shook his head, “No, given our army’s mobility, if deployed in advance, we should be able to intercept the Allied Forces’ main forces south of the Saar River…”

“Or the enemy will retreat from Burgplatz Peak back to Gai’erden, and we can leave the Walloon Corps there…”

“Right, in that case we won’t need to recall the Udino Corps, but rather let them join forces with General Bertier. They will have nearly 20,000 troops, even able to cross the Rhine River, to attack Nassau…”

He suddenly looked at Joseph earnestly and said, “Your Highness, I must admit, the plan you proposed is the most perfect operational plan! Our army will always be in control, not only able to quickly capture Koblenz, but also avoid a brutal decisive battle.”

Joseph felt somewhat awkward by his words, as he only suggested a broad direction, and the subsequent operational plan was all devised by Massena himself.