But then, when he saw that the French cavalry were divided into the standard scout squad formation, little Ferdinand suddenly felt something strange in his heart.
Although he had attached great importance to Napoleon in the past, it was not until he actually met Napoleon on his own today that he realized that the Frenchman opposite him was really not easy to deal with.
Not to mention anything else, it is really not easy to maintain such a calm mind when no trace of the enemy is found and friendly forces need to be rescued urgently. At least most people will lose some vigilance because of some willingness.
These cavalrymen were about to rush into the Prussian ambush. When their officers came to ask Ferdinand what to do, Ferdinand sighed and said:
"Since the enemy's caution has ruined our intention to ambush, then tell each unit to immediately change the previous deployment. Although the enemy only has a few hundred cavalry, it is still a piece of meat to eat! Implement the second plan immediately!"
When Ferdinand the Younger's military order was conveyed, the Prussian army that was originally ambushing in the dark immediately took action. When hundreds of French cavalry broke into the Prussian ambush circle in several groups, the Prussian army immediately
opened fire on these French cavalry.
The gunshots not only caused casualties to the French cavalry who were suddenly attacked, but also alarmed Napoleon who was among the army.
After hearing the gunshot, Napoleon felt happy for a while, and then Napoleon decisively ordered:
"Order the army to immediately form a battle formation, prepare the artillery, and conduct covering fire on the front!"
Although Napoleon dispatched the army in a hurry, even so, Napoleon did not forget to bring his most valued artillery unit. Of course, because of the emergency of the situation, Napoleon did not let the artillery bring those heavy artillery, but only brought a large number of them from the city of Paris.
A lightweight field gun that is easy to carry.
These light artillery were immediately pushed to the front line by the artillery. When Napoleon saw that only a few dozen of the hundreds of French cavalry sent before appeared in sight and fled back toward their own front in embarrassment. Napoleon immediately ordered the artillery
Make a covering shot at the land ahead.
The 20,000 French troops carried nearly a hundred light artillery. Although the firepower of these light artillery was not very fierce, they were superior in number. When activated, they had the power to destroy the world.
But unlike the French army, Ferdinand the Younger also prepared for possible artillery attacks in advance, and in order to ambush the French army, the Prussian army also carried all the artillery.
When the French artillery started firing, the Prussian artillery did not fall behind others. After these Prussian artillerymen adjusted the position of the artillery and measured the distance between them and the French army, the Prussian artillery also made a roaring sound like thunder.
The artillery on both sides came and went, but relatively speaking, the Prussian side had a certain advantage. After all, the French army all had light artillery, but the Prussian side had a certain number of heavy artillery, and the strength of these heavy artillery
The range just exceeds those of light artillery.
In addition, the Prussian side was in the dark, but the French side was in the light. The torches held by the French soldiers pointed out the location for the Prussian artillery.
In this case, Napoleon immediately ordered the soldiers to throw down all the torches. It was already past five o'clock. The sky was already a little bright. Although the sight was not very good after putting out the torches, it was better than giving the enemy a chance.
Targets are still much more cost-effective.
Gradually, through the telescope, Napoleon also got a rough idea of the enemy's deployment. Under this situation, Napoleon immediately ordered:
"The first division moves forward, and the Guards' right wing covers it. All cavalry units go to the left wing and wait for my order!"
Napoleon left the Second Division in his hands to act as a reserve. The reason why the First Division was asked to assume the main frontal force instead of the more powerful Guards was because Napoleon saw the Prussian army on the opposite right flank.
A flaw was revealed.
Previously, because the Prussian army was preparing for the nearby French army, the formation was quite scattered. After all, they were gathered together and could easily be spotted by the enemy at a glance.
Later, because Ferdinand the Younger discovered that the enemy was already on alert, when he was preparing for a frontal battle, depending on the time when the messenger issued the military order, a loophole suddenly appeared in the Prussian formation.
In other words, in Napoleon's view, there is an area about 500 meters wide between the enemy's right flanks where there is no enemy at all. If the Guards can break through, then with the combat effectiveness of the Guards, Napoleon is confident
Make a hole in the right wing, and then stab the enemy's center directly from the right wing.
The reason why the cavalry troops were gathered on the left wing was Napoleon's confusing move.
In the current era, cavalry can still be called the king. After all, artillery really attracted the attention of the world after the Battle of Austerlitz. In this battle, Napoleon, who was at a disadvantage in terms of military strength, relied on
The concentrated use of artillery cluster tactics resulted in a great victory that would determine the future!
As long as more than two thousand cavalry are used well, they are definitely a force that can change the situation of the battle.
Moreover, European tactics throughout the ages have been accustomed to using cavalry to deal with the weakest point on the enemy's front to achieve a surprise effect. In this case, two thousand French cavalry can become a deterrent force.
In addition, although Napoleon discovered the flaw in the enemy's right wing, there is no guarantee that the enemy will not make up for this weakness later, and by that time, the retained cavalry on hand can be put to great use.
Sure enough, when Ferdinand the Younger saw that all the French cavalry were concentrated on the left wing, Ferdinand the Younger suddenly became a little confused.
Although the Prussian army on the left wing has not yet been completely deployed, the front line has been initially assembled. At this time, it is impossible to achieve any decisive results by investing cavalry to attack the Prussian left wing.
Ferdinand the Younger was not the only one who was confused about Napoleon's arrangement. At least after the French army launched its attack, a considerable number of allied officers were confused about it.
But at this time, we can no longer care too much. It is only right that the soldiers come to block the water and the earth covers it.
So Ferdinand the Younger immediately made arrangements
"Order the 11th Division to keep the enemy out of the defense line. At the same time, order the Empire's 2nd Division to keep alert on the right wing and be ready to fight at any time. In addition, order the 12th Division to move to the left wing.
roundabout!"
Upon hearing Ferdinand the Younger's order, a staff officer was stunned and said:
"Your Excellency, Marshal, doesn't this expose the left wing of the 11th Division to the enemy?"
"Haha, I just want to expose the left wing. Didn't the enemy gather all the cavalry troops on the left wing? Then I will let Napoleon use these cavalry. As long as he uses them, then he will be sandwiched between the 11th and 12th liang.
Between divisions, what role do you think those cavalry can play?"
After hearing Little Ferdinand's intention, although the staff officer stopped talking, he still felt that Little Ferdinand's move was a bit risky.
In fact, from Ferdinand the Younger's heart, this was a last resort. He had fewer troops than the French. Even though the Prussian army was more powerful in combat, Ferdinand the Younger believed that his main purpose was to
Delay the French army.
In this case, the key to making this battle a stalemate is to annihilate the most threatening cavalry of the French army.
Because Ferdinand the Younger handed over most of his cavalry to Rummelin, he only has a few hundred cavalry at the moment. It is okay for these hundreds of people to serve as personal guards and messengers. Let them go and compete with the troops.
If the French cavalry were to fight hard, little Ferdinand felt a little reluctant to give up.
When Napoleon saw that the enemy's left wing was blank, his heart skipped a beat. Although it was a good opportunity for him, Napoleon did not rush to send troops to attack.