Early in the morning, early in the morning, Laharp's division arrived with torches.
Berthier immediately arranged for his troops to rest and prepare to wait until daylight before entering the battle.
According to Berthier, the combat effectiveness of the exhausted troops who had just finished the road would be reduced, and Lahalpe's troops must rest.
An Ning did not object to Berthier's opinion because he knew his actual level. He had already thought about it. He would give full play to the role of these famous generals under his command. Unless it was a particularly outrageous suggestion, he would just follow the advice.
As a result, the painter David, who had been following An Ning to record his words and deeds, seemed to be deeply moved. He muttered "Generals are never willful" while recording something in his sketchbook.
An Ning didn't bother to turn it off, since it was pretty cool to be blown a rainbow fart anyway.
As the sun climbed up the mountain, the entire terrain could be seen clearly from the hills where An Ning was located. After observing the terrain with a telescope, he pointed at the Bomida River that flowed through the plain in front of him in an inverted L shape and asked Berthier: "What is the length of this river?" How deep?”
Berthier immediately replied: "According to the map information I have seen, the deepest point should be less than half a meter, and you can wade across the river."
An Ning: "Lazare!"
"Here I am!" the young hussar appeared holding his pipe. "Where do you want me to go?"
"I need you to reconnoiter the Bomida River to make sure it can be crossed. By the way, see if the valley of the Bomida River in the north can be used by large troops."
Lazarus saluted and ran away immediately.
Then An Ning pointed the telescope at the Austrian troops surrounding Diego in front of him.
Berthier said next to him: "Judging from the number of camps, the Austrian army in front of us is about 20,000 to 30,000 people. We are not at a disadvantage."
An Ning nodded.
Although he had a brilliant record of defeating Lafayette's 40,000 men with 15,000 men, he knew that it was the result of many factors.
Lafayette only invested 20,000 people at the beginning. If Lafayette directly invested 40,000 people, An Ning would not be able to fight even the thin red line. After all, Lafayette had enough troops to outflank An Ning from both wings.
It can be said that Lafayette was not defeated in a serious head-on battle, but by sneak attacks and strategic location.
Now there is no advantageous location, nor the convenience brought by sneak attacks.
It can be said that this is the first head-on battle for An Ning, a novice commander, with real swords and guns.
An Ning wanted to go directly to Davout, ask his opinion, and then copy everything.
Anyway, there is David around to take notes. Probably this person will immediately activate the effect of the history book, copy An Ning's plan from Davout, and write it as a follow-up to the good.
But after hesitating for a while, An Ning decided to give it a try himself.
At this time, it could be seen from his position that La Salle led a group of cavalry towards the Bomida River.
The cavalry troops quickly crossed the reverse L-shaped section below the Bomida River, and then galloped on the west bank of the Bomida River.
An Ning: "It seems that the river valley is a very suitable plain for cavalry to gallop."
Berthier: "Yes, actually due to reclamation, there are fertile fields in front of us, which are suitable for cavalry to run. The east bank of the river is not suitable for defense because there are too few barriers. There is only a low east-west wall, which is not of much use. .”
"Indeed, I saw that low wall." An Ning used a telescope to look at the valley plain on the east bank, where there were large areas of unknown crops, almost no fences, and some scattered farms and barns scattered among the fields.
An Ning: "How about we send a force to press from the side?"
Berthier: "This is consistent with military common sense, General."
It turns out that deploying a force on the flank is consistent with military common sense. Then Marshal Beaulieu on the opposite side should also deploy defensive troops on the east bank of the Bomida River on the flank.
An Ning turned the telescope and looked at the entire right side of the battlefield.
There is a road leading to the rear over there, and Beaulieu's large force came from there early this morning.
However, when approaching Diego, the road turned east-west, probably because of the hilly terrain.
If a unit from the right wing attacks them, they should be able to control the road.
Not only can it prevent the enemy from retreating from here, but it can also block the Austrian backup.
Finally, An Ning pointed his telescope at the Chinese army.
Compared with the broad terrain on the left-wing river bank, the terrain on the middle road is much more complicated, with many low walls and fences, the Diego Heights occupied by Beaulieu, and very steep hillsides.
According to the military theories An Ning learned in the Military Academy, the front is not suitable for offense and is very beneficial to the defender.
After looking at the terrain, An Ning already had a basic plan. He was going to adopt a pressing strategy in the middle to force the enemy to engage, and put the offensive force on the right side.
The terrain in the middle is complicated, so even if the enemy wants to attack down the mountain, it will be difficult to push forward.
As for blocking the enemy's retreat route on the right, it seems tempting, but An Ning is not sure it can be done.
While Ning Ning was thinking, La Salle returned from reconnoitring the terrain.
He rode directly in front of An Ning, turned over and dismounted with a beautiful move, and said loudly: "The Bomida River is very suitable for wading. The current is not fast and not deep. The troops can wade through it very quickly."
An Ning: "Have you seen the valley to the north? Can the valley allow troops to retreat?"
"There is no problem with a small group of troops, but it is impossible for the enemy's army to move through the river valley." La Salle said, "Come on, General Frost, let's defeat the enemy here!"
An Ning nodded: "Yes, we really want to defeat the enemy here! Berthier!"
Berthier stood up: "I'm here, you said."
"I deploy as follows:
"Order Davout to lead four brigades and La Salle's cavalry brigade to cross the Bomida River and form an array on the west bank of the north-south part of the Bomida River. Their mission is to cross the Bomida River and attack the enemy on the east bank plain.
military.
"Order La Harpe's troops to immediately end their repairs and form a formation on the right side of the battlefield. His task is to attack the avenue east of Diego and push the troops to the side of the avenue. Napoleon led the cavalry and artillery troops to strengthen La Harpe's troops.
.”
An Ning mainly considered that it might be difficult for cavalry and artillery to cross the river, so he placed Napoleon on the right wing.
An Ning: "The remaining troops are all deployed in the middle, led by me personally. The main task is to absorb the enemy troops and create opportunities for the left and right wings."
Berthier wrote furiously in a small notebook.
After An Ning finished speaking, he suddenly thought that he still had one action to complete, so he said, "Repeat it again!"
Yes, this is complete!
Berthier immediately repeated in full what An Ning had just said, not missing a single word.
He is indeed the strongest chief of staff in Europe!