More than a disaster! The life of French soldiers at this moment is almost on the edge of hell. The supplies of the entire army are completely chaotic. The tactical thinking of Napoleon III and his generals have not kept up with the progress of the times.
Perhaps Napoleon III was still dreaming about the glory of his uncle during his expedition to Egypt and Tsarist Russia. At that time, France did organize a huge army of 600,000 troops and defeated the Tsarist Russian army several times.
In the eyes of these senior French officials, Emperor Napoleon was able to organize an expeditionary force of 600,000 men back then, but now France is only conquering Prussia, and perhaps the logistical pressure is not that great.
Moreover, France's national strength has been developing very rapidly in recent years. Looking at the books alone, France's military supplies are extremely abundant, even if it supports a million-strong army.
A 300,000-strong army marches to Prussia. Isn’t it possible that even this little logistics can’t be provided?
It was this kind of blind arrogance that made them suffer a big loss. No one had ever considered how talented Napoleon the Great was and how outstanding the team of officials he led was.
The more important point is that Napoleon's expeditionary force can feed on the enemy. Robbery along the way can certainly reduce the pressure on logistics... But even so, Emperor Napoleon also had to lose in the Russian winter because of logistics problems!
But now, no one in Napoleon III and his bureaucracy can see this clearly. Perhaps only his son, Crown Prince Eugène Bonaparte, is still somewhat calm.
But he is too young and cannot influence his father's choices, let alone the surging national fanaticism in the country!
As the Royal Guards marched westward, his own Guards Cavalry Regiment kept sending him the latest information. Everything that happened along the way made the prince worried!
Along the way, the prince saw with his own eyes countless people in towns and small towns excitedly took to the streets to welcome the army, but then these kind-hearted French people had to deal with the army's quartermasters.
These people didn't know why the army didn't bring food and grass with them when they went on an expedition. Instead, they had to buy it from farmers. Almost all the villages in the area where an army passed through were looted.
At this time, French nationalism was the strongest in the world, and the people's patriotic enthusiasm was extremely high. They sold their own food to the army at the lowest price, and some villages even provided free coffee, bread, and sausages to the army.
I'm afraid no one among the simple people would think deeply about why the emperor's army didn't even stutter. Their emotions had long since fallen into the frenzy of celebrating victory.
The French Emperor's 100,000-strong army set out from Paris and headed west like locusts eating up all the supplies along the way. Whether it was cities or villages, almost everything that could be used by the army was requisitioned. The only thing that pleased the prince was the army. After all, money was given, so there was no large-scale robbery.
"Your Highness... we can't continue like this! Food and horse feed can be collected from the private sector, but the most important thing now is arms and supplies. I have inspected ten arsenals along the way, and the accounts are everywhere in confusion. The current situation is that the quantity of supplies is unknown!”
"I temporarily asked the logistics officials to make arrangements. The bullets were barely enough to ensure ten days of high-intensity combat, but our artillery shells were only enough for two days of hot fighting..."
"How come there are so few? I clearly remember that there are at least 110,000 rounds of artillery shells in the arsenal along the way? How come it is only enough for two days of fighting?"
The military logistics officer said with a bitter look on his face, "Your Highness, let's not look at the accounts now. I also know that it is indeed in the accounts, but where is it? I can't find it!"
"Are these damn bastards below embezzled? Did they sell them secretly? Or even temporarily transferred the warehouse but failed to pay the accounts in time? These situations are all possible..."
"Let me tell you the truth, Your Highness, there are definitely artillery shells, there are definitely enough for the troops... but I can't find them. I don't know where these people are hiding!"
Prince Eugene's head felt dizzy as he listened. He knew that what his subordinates said was right. The empire did produce so many arms and supplies, but these supplies were so managed by the corrupt and incompetent bureaucracy that they became Exceptionally chaotic.
"This war is too hasty... I have to go see my father!" The crown prince spurred his horse forward.
At this time, Napoleon III was standing on a mound next to an official road, surrounded by his generals, and in front of him was a rolling military formation that could not be seen to the end.
The long line of soldiers kicked up dust and formed a dark cloud on the ground. They were fierce and murderous. All men would be excited for such a scene.
The soldiers strode forward to the rhythmic beating of war drums. The mules and horses pulled the artillery forward one by one in the middle of the road. The cavalry accompanying the army covered the two wings, and the supply carriages could not be seen at the end.
There were faint cheers in distant towns, and the Emperor knew that it was the local people cheering for long live, and they were welcoming the Emperor's army.
"The pastoral scenery in the countryside is better! The folk customs are simple... Now think about it, the air in Paris is stinky!" the French Emperor said with a wry smile.
Marshal Bazin knew what the emperor was thinking. Paris was the place where the workers' movement was the most intense. Paris, where the Great Revolution broke out, was a nightmare for all emperors. It was normal for the French emperor to feel uncomfortable living there.
"Your Majesty! After the victory of this war, we can directly cut off the land west of the Rhine River. Then you can build the most beautiful palaces in these occupied lands and breathe the freshest air every day!"
"Haha... This is a good suggestion, but I heard that the Swan Castle built by Ludwig II is still very good! After the victory of this war, maybe I can enjoy my old age somewhere!"
"Yes! Your Majesty, your brave soldiers will plant the battle flag on the top of the castle!" All the generals stood at attention to express their determination to the emperor.
At this moment, the prince and his entourage rode up the mound on fast horses and jumped down before the horses could stop.
"Father! I implore you to allow the army to repair between Reims and Chalon for three days... Can you please give me three days to adjust supplies?"
"My child, haven't I already said it? Time is too tight. Three days is enough for the Prussians to arm 80,000 or 90,000 people. We cannot afford to delay time!" The French Emperor shook his head.
"Father! Please listen to the information fed back by the frontline troops!" The prince was so anxious that his mouth was filled with bitterness.
Look, this is the telegram sent from Verdun in the morning. Where is the Queen's Cavalry Regiment stationed? Their intelligence is absolutely credible!
