Chapter 268 "Patriot" Beef and Potato Cans
European public opinion was quite lively on September 2, because on this day, Napoleon III of France surrendered. The news of Napoleon III's surrender directly caused a sensation throughout Europe. After the Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III ordered a cessation of fighting.
At the Battle of Sedan, the French suffered 17,000 casualties and 21,000 captured. The Prussians reported 2,300 killed, 5,000 wounded, and 700 captured or missing.
Newspapers from various countries rushed to report the news, and a few hours later the Vienna newspapers followed suit and reported the results of the war. However, compared to the news of France's defeat, the people of the Austro-Hungarian Empire were obviously more interested in the progress of their own army, and everyone was anxiously awaiting the outcome of the war in Italy.
At this time, Archduke Albrecht commanded the imperial army to approach the city of Venice along the Italians' second line of defense. Italy's second line of defense was not as solid as the Isonzo River Line of Defense. Although the location of the Isonzo River Line of Defense was not very good, the terrain on the Italian side was relatively low, which provided convenience for the Austro-Hungarian artillery, but this was the border between the two countries. Italy built the Isonzo River Line of Defense after annexing the Venice area, and the second line of defense was completely improvised, and there was no cover to rely on.
Faced with the attack of the Austro-Hungarian army, the second line of defense was quickly broken. In order to preserve the strength of the troops, the Italian commander had to order the troops to retreat to the city of Venice. The Italian Kingdom’s army gathered in Venice and used Venice’s fortifications and buildings to resist the Austro-Hungarian army.
…
"Tell me, why did an Austro-Hungarian army appear in Rome? What is your intelligence department doing? You didn't even notice more than 10,000 people right under your noses? If this army was not in Rome but in Florence, wouldn't we be wiped out by the Austro-Hungarian Empire!" Emmanuel II angrily questioned his subordinates.
Just yesterday, Emmanuel II received the news that the coalition forces attacking Rome had failed. At that time, Emmanuel II was stunned! The Papal States still has this kind of fighting power? Impossible, absolutely impossible!
The good news is that the Papal Army is still weak, and the bad news is that it was the Austro-Hungarian Army that defeated Italy.
The worse news was that the Austro-Hungarian expeditionary force was organizing its troops to march towards Florence. At the same time, the Papal Army, under the instruction of Lieutenant General Karl, was attacking the Italian coastal defense forces on the east coast.
This was not difficult for the Papal Army because the Austro-Hungarian Navy would cooperate with their actions. More than 30,000 Austro-Hungarian landing troops had already set out from Trieste and were heading towards the east coast of Italy.
After suppressing his anger a little, Emmanuel II asked, "Is it too late for us to mobilize part of the troops that have gone to Florence to help?"
"This is difficult! Because the main force is in Venice and cannot be freed. However, we can think of a way with the troops stationed on the French border, but we don't know if it will be in time."
"Your Majesty, I think it would be a good idea for us to evacuate from Florence first and return to Turin." said a former minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Before the Kingdom of Italy, the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia was Turin. After Napoleon III initially unified the Italian region, the new Kingdom of Italy set its capital in Florence.
"Idiot! Now the newspapers are reporting the failure of the recapture of Rome. If we withdraw from Florence to Turin, what will the people of the country think? What will the soldiers on the front line think? If we can't even defend the capital, how can we resist the invader of the Austro-Hungarian Empire?" Emmanuel II shouted angrily.
Afterwards, Emmanuel II hesitated for a long time and said, "Let the border troops guarding against France come back to help as soon as possible. Mobilize from Florence and the surrounding areas immediately. I don't care what method you use, at least gather a force of 50,000 people. Before the reinforcements arrive, the enemies from Rome must be blocked outside Florence."
…
Marseille, France.
"The failure on the front line is not terrible. Although the emperor has surrendered, we French people will not give in. As a patriot, I am willing to donate a batch of supplies to the government free of charge. I hope they will not compromise with Prussia..." Count Medina delivered his speech in front of the Marseille City Hall, stating his position of defending his country.
There was warm applause all around, and Count Medina's speech won strong favor from the people of Marseille.
At the same time, a reporter from the Marseille Daily secretly took a picture of this scene from a distance. This photo will appear everywhere in France tomorrow, at least in the south of France.
After performing in front of the public for so long, Count Medina could finally take a break. He took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. At this time, officials from the city hall surrounded him.
"Count Medina, thank you for your support, but unfortunately we are also in a difficult situation. After all, the emperor has surrendered. Now we still have to wait for news from the central government, so these supplies may not be disposed of for the time being." said the mayor of Marseille.
"It doesn't matter. I understand your difficulties, but our soldiers are still on the front line. Sending these supplies over there is also a support for them. After all, they are children of France..." Medina said.
"If it is for military supplies, it is still OK. We will deliver these supplies directly to the frontline soldiers in the name of Marseille citizens, not in the name of the government."
Count Medina's patriot persona is very well built, and now his opinions are fully respected by the Marseille city government, which is psychological respect.
As for supplies, they are a French "national" brand jointly produced by Germany and France, mainly food and medicine, as well as some daily necessities.
As a collaborator, Count Medina also has a share, so he wants to give these products a name.
For example, the "Patriot" beef and potatoes canned food, would you like to know more about it?
…
In the evening, Leopold, who had completed his mission as leader, began to report the situation in Hechingen to Ernst.
"This time, the Black Hingen Brigade suffered more than 700 casualties, with 132 dead. Due to the situation on the front line, we can only cremate their bodies on the spot. The ashes will be brought back with the troops. His Majesty (William I) asked the Black Hingen Brigade whether they would consider participating in the next war."
After two battles, the Hechingen Brigade was considered a powerful force in the European war, especially the Battle of Davidlet, which was considered a classic battle in the Franco-Prussian War. The Hechingen Brigade demonstrated higher professional capabilities than the French Army (Hechingen Brigade ≧ French Army ≧ Prussia > Bavaria > North German Confederation > Württemberg > Baden), so William I was still very interested in this small force.
"Bring them back!" Ernst only replied to Leopold with this sentence in the telegram.
There was no need for the Hechingen Brigade to participate in the subsequent wars. After all, the French emperor had surrendered and the war was actually over.
With the Battle of Sedan as the starting point, the war between Germany and France changed from a just war to a war of aggression, so Ernst did not want to participate.
Moreover, the purpose of training the Black Hingen Brigade has been achieved, and there is no need to let them make unnecessary sacrifices. As for the so-called "trophies" of the Franco-Prussian War, they are actually the various states that robbed civilians in the wealthy France. Ernst did not even look down on that little bit of wealth. Another point is that he did not want the Black Hingen Brigade and those state troops to learn bad things. Once military discipline is broken, it will be complicated to correct it. In the future, the Black Hingen Brigade will be the foundation of East African military transformation.
The Hechingen Bank has already made a fortune through war bonds. As soon as the Battle of Sedan ended, the London bond market was already crowded with people. Before the war, the Hechingen Consortium had taken up a quarter of the bonds at a low price.
"Tom! Is there any vacant space near the castle?"
"Your Highness, this may not be easy to find. Apart from the mountains and forests, there are only some flat areas within the castle area."
"Then let's clear a piece of land halfway up the mountain. I want to bury the remains of those killed in this battle nearby. They all sacrificed their lives for the Hohenzollern family." Ernst said.
It is also good to be buried near Hohenzollern Castle. This place is relatively remote. Apart from the lonely Hohenzollern Castle on the top of the mountain, there are not many residents nearby, so there is no need to worry about anyone disturbing the rest of the deceased.
Ernst brought most of them from the Far East to Europe, and the rest were basically European orphans. It could be said that the entire Hechingen Brigade had no relatives at all.
They were not originally required to participate in the Franco-Prussian War, but Ernst made the choice and they followed it, so Ernst also had to consider their future affairs.
(End of this chapter)
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