In fact, there are sufficient military supplies in the city.
Marshal Lewis had amassed a large amount of food and munitions to support the consumption of 300,000 people for at least three months for the major counterattack. This major counterattack failed too quickly, and most of it has not yet been consumed.
Outside the headquarters, some soldiers were sitting on the ground. Many of them were unarmed, disheveled, and even barefoot. They were taking food from the hands of the National Army soldiers, and then squatting aside to gobble it up. To this day, there are still many defeats every day.
The soldiers fled back.
Someone was registering these people, and some of the sharp-headed guys who were unwilling to cooperate were beaten up on the spot and then hung up in the sun.
"Second Lieutenant, be a little polite to them." Sean said, "Let them starve for one more day. It is more effective than corporal punishment. It can also save some food."
"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." the officer in charge replied.
A major general named George Grant came over.
Sean knew this man. He was a highly regarded subordinate of Marshal Lewis. He was a cavalry man. Even though he was now the commander of an infantry division, he was still good at raids. Grant's troops always valued mobility and were known for decisive actions.
During the major counterattack, Grant's division was on the right wing and faced fewer enemy forces. As soon as he received the order to retreat, his troops ordered and prohibited. The brigades cooperated with each other and advanced and retreated in an orderly manner. They retreated almost completely, including most of their heavy equipment.
Brought it back.
Therefore, Grant's Division accounted for one-third of the non-National Army establishment in the city.
"count……"
"I think there are only officers and soldiers in the army, and there are no other irrelevant people!" Sean interrupted Grant.
"Yes, Your Excellency, Commander." Grant straightened his back subconsciously, "They asked me to be their representative and make a representation to you."
"Tell me." Sean said.
"In times of crisis, they admire your courage and thank you for your understanding and generosity. However, they are not prepared to disarm and return home," Grant said, "because this is an insult to a soldier."
"But it's much better than losing your life." Sean said coldly, "Glory can only be found from our enemies. I can't give them glory."
"Commander, I guess you are worried about them holding back on the battlefield. If they stay in the city, you are worried about the soldiers causing trouble. Rather than doing this, it is better to disband them. At least you can save food."
Sean glanced at him: "Yes, although the National Army is a new army, I have great confidence in the National Army. At least we can retreat unscathed with our own strength. But if there is a drag, it will be difficult to say. I will do it."
Don’t save me until you die.”
"A new rifle? I have seen the new rifle your officer brought." Grant said, "It is a revolutionary rifle, and Marshal Lewis was full of praise in private. But because of this, it will cause the National Army to
The supply of the rifle is also a big problem, because this rifle will put double the pressure on logistics.
, its integrated metal bullets fire too fast. If it is a soldier without much experience, he will shoot in vain, and you cannot get any supplements locally, nor from other parts of the empire, all the way from Genoa.
Although this kind of bullet is much safer to transport than what we have now."
Sean was stunned. He and his subordinates had long realized this problem. This was the only flaw brought about by technological progress. A strong military requires strong industry and a convenient transportation network to support it.
This is why Sean prepared for months to go north to join the war and gathered a large amount of arms in Daguerre.
I am afraid that no one in the non-national army system has realized this yet, but Major General Grant in front of him has keenly discovered this weakness. The continuous operation of the national army will be a big problem, and they rely more on supplies.
Sean took out a cigar and handed another to Grant, which showed that he had preliminary recognition of Grant:
"General Grant, what do you suggest?"
"You can completely send these troops who have lost their courage to move to the rear, consolidate your supply lines, and transport military supplies to the front. Using military transportation is much more reliable than inefficient civilians. Frankly speaking, this kind of work not only preserves their
To save face, maintain a little dignity, and provide necessary support for the war, it kills several birds with one stone." Grant said.
"This is a good suggestion. But I deeply hate neglect, corruption and waste. This is my advance warning to them." Sean nodded.
"Sir, may I take it that you agree with this arrangement?" Grant asked.
"I will ask my chief of staff, General Perosa, to talk to you. Time is tight and no bargaining is allowed." Sean said.
Seeing that Grant didn't leave, Sean asked, "What else do you want?"
"My troops and I are willing to accept your direct command and obey any of your orders unconditionally." Grant requested, "Honor should not belong only to the National Army."
"Very good." Sean seemed to be saying to himself, "We will attack heroically and sacrifice heroically. Those gentlemen with gold watches and high hats sitting in the spacious and bright hall will say that this is a battle.
An epic battle. But honor requires us to pay the price of blood. Others go south, but we will go north alone."
"My soldiers and I are ready," Grant said.
In addition to the 1st Division of the National Army stationed in the city, the 2nd and 3rd Divisions were deployed in the east and west of the city respectively. The latter had already exchanged fire with the forward troops of the Belis.
Although the Belis people won a great victory and captured countless things, their soldiers were exhausted and the army was too scattered. Therefore, the Belis people were recharging their strength and were not in a hurry to attack the city.
In fact, this is the best moment for counterattack. However, for Sean, this will be a key battle. He must solve the hindrances in the city before he can go all out.
Once launched, Sean hopes to catch the opponent off guard with advanced weapons and obviously different tactics.
As for the troops trapped in Tudela, especially since there was reliable news that Marshal Lewis was among them, Sean could only let them pray for themselves and hope that those officers and soldiers who were still fighting would be able to support him until he could raise his troops to move north.
By the evening of the 22nd, Sean used a sharp knife to cut through the mess and reorganized the various armies in the city of Yobosa. All the armies were disrupted and reorganized to prevent them from gathering together.
The seriously wounded were transported to the rear, and the lightly wounded were sent away directly with documentary evidence and a small amount of travel expenses. Others were ordered to set off south, and according to the strict plan formulated by the staff, they rushed to various supply points and transportation nodes from Yobosa to the north bank of Longjiang.
, responsible for transportation and local security.
As for some senior officers who have nowhere to go, there is one general, three lieutenant generals, more than ten major generals, and more school-level officers. Most of them are from noble families.
In order to prevent them from causing trouble, Sean kept them in the city in the name of military staff. In fact, he put them under house arrest.
Some professional and technical arms were retained, including artillery, cavalry and engineers, organized into 3 artillery battalions, 2 cavalry regiments and 2 engineering regiments, which were directly commanded by the headquarters as a strategic support force, and received support from the National Army.
In the system, officers are assigned to take command.
Only the 12,000-odd men of Grant's Division remained in the city in an organized form. Sean replenished them with enough ammunition and artillery, as well as corresponding transportation tools and large livestock, and also gave them an extra month of military pay.
These decisive measures surprised General Grant. In other words, this young earl from the south was extremely courageous, simply arrogant, and acted recklessly.
Among the generals who lost their military power, none of them had a background, either came from a noble family, or had been personally commended or promoted by His Majesty.
However, General Grant did not yet know what had happened to the Holy City.
If he had known about it, he would have understood that what Sean did was reasonable and confident, because the senior officers who had been deprived of their military power had nowhere to complain.