Due to terrain obstruction and distance, Guards Major General Sheng Yushu was unable to see the central battlefield, let alone the situation on the northern battlefield.
At this time, he could only see the battlefield on the south side. The only enemy troops he could see in his monocular were the three thousand elite soldiers on the left wing of the Dongji people.
Sheng Yushu is trying to judge the situation of these three thousand Eastern Cavalry through continuous observation, especially trying to find some of the opponent's weak points.
But it is a pity that the three thousand Eastern Captors cavalry on the opposite side are indeed the elites who have been deployed at the front line of Balipu for a long time by the Eastern Captives. The entire army advances and retreats in a very orderly manner. At the same time, the positions of the several cavalry units are also very reasonable. There was no obvious gap.
Even Sheng Yushu could see that the cavalry positions among the Dongjiu people were very convenient for supporting each other. Whether they were attacked from the front or from the flanks, they could quickly gather their forces to fight.
Whether an army is strong or not is affected by one or another factor, but the core is basically the formation.
This is true whether it is for the cold weapon era, the firearms line era, or the transitional period between these two eras. An army with a complete formation, able to adapt to changes, and able to smoothly change formations according to the enemy, no matter what Not even close.
Because the formation reflects the command ability of senior generals and ordinary officers; it reflects the soldiers' ability to execute orders;
When the two are combined with each other, they can create a powerful army.
The Eastern Cavalry on the opposite side showed that they were not weak just by marching and forming.
In this case...
Sheng Yushu withdrew the monocular telescope, looked back at his subordinates and said, "Let's attack directly later. The formation on the opposite side is relatively complete, and there is no chance for a side attack!"
"It's still the same as what was said before. After the attack, the 4th Cuirassiers will move forward in the center, acting as the arrow for the entire army. The 2nd Hussars will be on the right wing, the 3rd Hussars will cover the left wing, and the 4th Cuirassiers will be on the left flank. The regiment's fifth hussars sentry covered the cavalry artillery battalion and the heavy cavalry battalion."
"When the battle begins, don't hesitate and rush forward!"
"When attacking, be sure to maintain the formation and keep the soldiers' attack speed at the same level. You would rather go slower than maintain the formation!"
Sheng Yushu glanced at the officers under him again, and finally said: "They are all veteran cavalry, and everyone knows what they need to know, so I won't say anything more. Let's go back and prepare!"
After Sheng Yushu finished speaking, he waved his hands for his officers to leave, while he and his adjutants continued to observe the Eastern Captive Cavalry ahead.
After a while, the 4th Cuirassiers Regiment, 2nd and 3rd Hussars Regiments sent people to respond one after another, saying that all combat preparations had been completed and they were ready to attack at any time.
Sheng Yu wrote: "In this case, don't wait any longer and start taking action!"
However, the first ones to appear were not the large number of main cavalry, but the cavalry artillery of the Guards and the covering fifth hussars sentry.
They will quickly move forward, seize a small high ground a few hundred meters ahead, and then use artillery to provide fire support for the main cavalry.
This is also the old routine of fighting among the Chu army's cavalry troops... The first ones to appear were not the cavalry, but the cavalry artillery.
And don’t think that it is difficult for cavalry artillery to maneuver with artillery. In fact, when performing short-distance maneuvers on the battlefield, cavalry artillery can run faster than cavalry...
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Because the cavalry guns they equipped were mainly two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannons, with a small number of five-pound cavalry cannons, and they were equipped with mules and horses that far exceeded the average artillery force.
In an ordinary artillery unit, two and a half kilograms of field artillery are usually dragged by two horses. When there are few mules and horses, it can only be one horse.
However, the cavalry artillery unit is often equipped with four horses. This is for rotation. One group is used when entering the battlefield, and the horses are changed after entering the battlefield, and then they can perform high-speed short-distance maneuvers.
When they were resting and preparing for battle in the dense forest just now, the cavalry and artillery troops had already finished changing their horses.
At this time, the more than ten artillery pieces were being pulled by strong draft horses and galloping directly across the field. Even the artillerymen were advancing on horses.
The overall speed is even faster than the cavalry units that have to maintain their formation!
So much so that when the artillery quickly passes through some ups and downs or bumpy roads, the gun carriage carrying the gun barrel can even fly directly...
In the Army and Guards of the Dachu Empire, the major user of horses was not the cavalry, but the artillery.
Among artillery, cavalry artillery uses the most horses.
When more than a dozen artillery pieces jumped all the way on the battlefield and quickly entered the battlefield, the Donglu people on the opposite side obviously noticed this and responded quickly. A group of cavalry immediately separated and headed towards He galloped away with the Chu army's cavalry and artillery troops.
It's just that the distance between the two sides is still quite far. Judging from the distance and speed of the two sides, by the time they approach, the Chu army's cavalry and artillery units have arrived at the predetermined location and launched an emergency bombardment.
Not to mention the cover provided by the 5th Hussars.
In this battle, the battlefield was carefully selected by the Guards. Sheng Yushu had basically taken the situation into consideration before the cavalry artillery attack.
Naturally, it is impossible for the cavalry artillery to attack and be forced back by the cavalry on the opposite side!
Seeing that the cavalry and artillery had already moved forward, and the cavalry from the opposite side also attacked to intercept, Sheng Yushu did not delay, but directly got on his horse and drew his saber on the spot!
Behind him is the 4th Cuirassier Regiment, with the 2nd and 3rd Hussars Regiment on the left and right flanks. At the same time, there are hundreds of infantrymen from the heavy carriage battalion. They have also formed a complete formation at this time. , and will continue to advance to the front line of the cavalry and artillery positions.
The Imperial Army of the Chu Empire and the baggage soldiers in the field units of the Guards have always been armed and trained according to the standards of combat infantry, because their position is generally to escort transportation groups, or to be directly responsible for transportation on dangerous front lines. The risk of encountering the enemy is extremely high.
Over time, front-line commanders often directly use the baggage troops as infantry when the battle is fierce or the strength of the troops is tight.
There is no infantry unit in the cavalry force, because the cavalry force often uses heavy troops to act as infantry and carry out various infantry combat missions.
Now, this cavalry baggage battalion of the Guards is used to cover the cavalry artillery, and also to meet the main cavalry.
Once the main cavalry charge fails and is forced to retreat, these infantry lines will be needed to provide support in order to gain time to collect the broken troops and reorganize the team.
It is estimated that the Dongji cavalry on the opposite side did not have the courage to attack the formation, which was composed of more than 800 infantry in line.
Looking back at the soldiers under his command, Major General Sheng Yushu of the Guards immediately said: "Slowly advance!"
As his words fell, thousands of cavalrymen under his command mobilized their horses to move forward slowly.
At this time, the cavalrymen of the 4th Cuirassiers Regiment held their long lances high, while the hussars had drawn their sabers and carried them on their shoulders.
Thousands of cavalry slowly stepped forward!
The cavalry of the Chu Guards quickly left the sparse bushes and appeared in the open fields.
This caused a response from the Eastern Captive Cavalry on the opposite side. These Eastern Captive Cavalry also got on their horses and began to move forward.
But soon they discovered that the Chu barbarian cavalry in front were different from the Chu barbarian cavalry they had encountered before!
They didn't bring bows, arrows, or muskets!
The captives from the East also knew that in addition to traditional horseback shooting, some Chu barbarians also used muskets.
However, in their experience, Chu barbarian cavalry who use muskets are generally not very good. They are quite powerful when dismounted and fighting on foot, but they are like three-year-old children on horseback.
Dealing with them is very simple. Just charge forward, shoot a wave of arrows with your bow, and then change your saber and charge directly. Or you can simply charge forward without shooting arrows and charge forward with your horse to kill them.
Generally speaking, these Chu barbarian musketeers with muskets often collapse at this time.
However, it was a bit strange that he didn't bring a bow or a musket, he just held a spear or saber.
Especially the Chu barbarian cavalry in the middle did not hold bows, arrows or muskets. Instead, they all held long spears and wore strange armor.
It was not the traditional half-body armor often used by cavalry, nor was it a full-body armor, but a bare breastplate.
And the breastplate is still shining...
The breastplates used by the Chu army's cavalry were all polished, so the surface looked shiny and reflective.
At the same time, the armor worn by the Chu barbarian cavalry on both sides was also shining, and the protective area was even larger.
Could it be that the cavalry on both sides are the main force among the Chu barbarians?
These Chu barbarian cavalry are so strange!
"It doesn't matter, no matter whether they use spears or sabers, as long as they don't bring bows and arrows, they can't be our opponents!"
The leader of the Eastern Cavalry general immediately came to comfort him: "Old rules, charge up and shoot a few rounds, let these Chu barbarians see how real cavalry fight!"
"But just hold back and hit. If something goes wrong, just pull back. No need to act recklessly.
Facing the cuirassiers they had never encountered before, Dongdu's cavalry generals were relatively cautious and ordered their men to run away if there was any danger.
They are cavalry anyway, and they are also light cavalry, and they can run very fast.
It no longer matters what the Dongji people think or how they respond.
The Guards cavalry led by Major General Sheng Yushu had already advanced several hundred meters and entered the fast-stepping stage.
At the same time, the cavalry artillery unit that attacked first had begun to quickly deploy on the spot and opened fire to intercept the enemy's cavalry.
The battle has begun!
Amidst the roar of cannons, Sheng Yushu rode forward quickly with his cavalry!
The main force of the Eastern Capture Cavalry on the opposite side was also divided into several square formations to press forward!
The two sides are slowly approaching, but what is interesting is that although the Chu army has a lot of cavalry, the tactical width formed by the formation is much smaller than that of the opponent.
This is because the Chu army's cavalry array is much closer!
The Chu cavalry has always attached great importance to the density of cavalry arrays. They believe that a closer formation can bring stronger impact capabilities and can also offset the lack of individual combat skills of the cavalry.
For this reason, even if it means sacrificing a certain impact speed!
As for the cavalry on the Dongdu side, they were fine when they first advanced slowly, but as the cavalry on both sides gradually accelerated, their formation began to scatter.
The distance between the cavalry and the cavalry is getting wider and wider. At the same time, because the speed of the war horses varies, some cavalry individuals are brave and rush faster, while some are afraid of death and fall a few steps behind. Therefore, the East Capture Cavalry After the formation enters the fast-stepping stage, there is no formation to speak of. As for the running stage that follows... don't even expect it.
At most... it can be called a regiment of cavalry! This 'group' literally means
The noise was quite loud, and some of the Eastern Cavalrymen were still making strange noises.
On the other hand, on the side of the Chu cavalry... the soldiers continued to move forward in silence. Their speed in the quick step phase was not very fast, and was slower than the Dongdu cavalry on the opposite side.
However, the formation has always remained unchanged. The distance between the cavalry and the cavalry has always been very close. At the same time, even after entering the trot stage, the first row of cavalry still maintains a basic straight line.
No cavalry overtook the troops and rushed to the front, and no cavalry deliberately lagged behind.
The first row of cavalry is like this, the second row, the third row... the cavalry is still the same!
They formed a tight line and moved forward at a leisurely pace.
Major General Sheng Yushu is at the front of the queue!
At this time, he was also wearing the plate-shaped light armor used by the hussars, wearing a cavalry helmet on his head, and holding a saber in his hand. After estimating the distance, he saw that the Donghu cavalry on the opposite side had entered the running stage for a while. , immediately ordered: "Run forward!"
As Sheng Yushu's order was issued, the trumpeter beside him blew the horn sound with a stronger rhythm, guiding the cavalry to increase their speed.
At this time, the cavalry on both sides were already running, and the distance between them was rapidly closing.
Not long after, the Chu army's cavalry had already crossed its own cavalry artillery position. At this time, these eighteen cavalry cannons had completed most of their combat missions. They had fired multiple rounds continuously during the previous rapid artillery bombardment. The artillery shells hit the enemy cavalry to a certain extent, killing and injuring several enemy cavalry, and forced them to disperse their formation and enter the running stage earlier.
Major Fang Qulin, who led the cavalry artillery, directed his own artillery to speed up the artillery fire. He had to try to fire out as many artillery shells as possible before his own cavalry launched the final charge, so as to provide more powerful support for the friendly cavalry.
Sure enough, he didn't wait long before he saw his own cavalry array in front of him, and suddenly the most urgent horn sound came!
The Chu army cavalry, who had been silent all the way, began to shout in unison and neatly
"kill……!"
At the same time, he urged the war horse to make the final sprint!
At this time, they were about two hundred meters away from the enemy cavalry. However, the cavalry on both sides were fighting in a hedging manner, so the distance to relieve the enemy cavalry was probably only about a hundred meters. In order to prevent the enemy cavalry from using half-turn bow and arrow tactics, Sheng Yushu directly ordered in advance. The infantry made the final push!
From now on, they are not restricted by the formation. The cavalry only need to use the final speed to kill the enemy cavalry in front!
The Dongji cavalry on the opposite side obviously did not expect that the Chu army would enter the sprint stage two hundred meters away, and this change directly disrupted their plan!
They originally planned to run up, and then turn around and do a cavalry shot in front of the formation, killing the Chu cavalry with a large number of bows and arrows!
But I didn't expect that the Chu army's cavalry actually launched the final charge in advance!
This means that they are no longer able to carry out mounted shooting tactics, let alone rush forward and turn to mounted shooting. Even if they turn to escape now, once their speed slows down, they will probably be directly overwhelmed by the Chu barbarian cavalry on the opposite side!
They have only one choice left: rush forward with all their strength!
So, just over ten seconds later, Major Fang Qulin, commander of the Chu Army’s cavalry artillery, saw this scene:
The arrows in the Chu cavalry, the fourth cuirassier regiment were like thick city walls, crushing the Donglu cavalry on the opposite side at high speed!
There were clearly more Dongfeng cavalry, but because of the sparse and even scattered formations, there were not many Dongfang cavalry that actually faced the Chu cavalry, so they fell into a situation of using less to fight more.
In the end, the central part of the East Riding Cavalry was directly overwhelmed by the Fourth Cuirassier Regiment, and it took a very short time!
The Fourth Cuirassier Regiment, like a sharp arrow... no, like a heavy hammer, directly smashed the enemy in front to pieces, and cleanly penetrated the enemy's central array!
The process was so smooth and took so short time that Major Fang Qulin, who was watching the battle from behind, was stunned!
Damn, are these still the cavalry of our Great Chu Empire?
