Chapter 866 Battle of the Ticheno River (Part 1)

The Ticino River originates in Switzerland. Its rapid flow is an important source of hydropower for later generations in Italy. It is also a paradise for rafting enthusiasts and anglers.

But it was an ominous place at this time, and France and Austria had fought numerous wars here for hundreds of years.

However, the Italians were not too impressed. After all, the last time they fought here was the Romans Corcinius and Hannibal.

The only bridge on the river was hundreds of years old, so Eusebio, a veteran of the Kingdom of Sardinia, built two temporary pontoon bridges.

Although he was very optimistic about the prospects of this war, he was very anxious before and after. In front of them were the rebels in the city of Milan. Although Austria didn't do much, the mere sense of oppression made them unbearable.

In fact, according to the rebel carrier pigeons, they had forced the Austrian army into the corner of the city, leaving only the city hall and city walls still in the hands of the Austrians.

However, based on General Eusebio's experience, the Lombards were probably already surrounded. The so-called Austrian army can be driven out of Milan with just a little support, but it is probably because they have already run out of ammunition and food.

Although he felt a little sorry for the Lombards, Eusebio felt that Radetzky's main force must be planning an encirclement and suppression at this time, and the latter must hope to end the battle before the former arrived.

As the saying goes, "To fight against foreign forces, you must first pacify yourself at home." Generals who have fought in wars all their lives understand this. So Eusebio can cross the river with peace of mind at this time, and then go to the city of Milan to harvest wheat.

The pressure behind it did not come from King Carlo Alberto, but from some "less noble people".

As a traditional landed aristocrat, what I hate most are those capitalists who make a lot of money through evil ways, the aristocrats who betrayed the "land", and those hateful liberals.

Now there are many young people in Eusebio's army who are shouting for equality and freedom, and the king means to let them go first.

Eusebio naturally understood what it meant. After all, those were His Majesty's subjects, so it would be better to let the evil Austrians take the blame.

The biggest problem he faced at this time was whether to let his assassin die first or let Ettore de Sonnazzi, a young member of the Sardinian army, die first.

However, considering that the Austrians might be defeated in one attack, General Eusebio decided to do it himself. After all, he could not give the credit to others.

In a small forest not far away, the black muzzles were already in place. The ability to transport these cannons here did not depend on Marshal Radetzki's magic skills or some advanced towing equipment.

In fact, Radetzky had been in Lombardy for so many years, and he knew the ambitions of the Sardinians clearly, plus Franz reminded him from time to time.

So Radetzky made a lot of preparations. This was just one of his expected ambush locations. After all, he had fifteen years to prepare very fully.

Attacking halfway across the river can almost be regarded as a tradition of the Austrian army. This is not because Austria's generals are all water-loving, but because there are too many rivers in Austria's land, and the army is really overwhelmed. It is difficult to achieve any glorious victory without relying on geographical advantages.

But it was different at this time, because Radetzky had been preparing for this for many years, and his opponent was the even more defeated Sardinian army.

"Father, the Piedmontese have begun to cross the river! Let's fire! Kill them to pieces, and then deal with the traitors in the city."

Colonel Anton von Radetzki spoke, a statement that made Marshal Radetzki shake his head.

"Do you know why you are still a colonel?"

"Our family's title is low."

Marshal Radetzky was almost choked to death by his eldest son's upright speech, and he followed the lead.

"Is there no other reason? Think about it carefully?"

Colonel Anton began to think seriously, and soon a flash of inspiration occurred to him. He thought of some of the plots he had seen in the novel, and after relating it to his own situation, he came to an astonishing conclusion.

"Are you training me? So that I can be put to great use."

Before Colonel Anton could finish his words, Marshal Radetzky hit him hard on the head.

"You're not making progress! Aren't you too impetuous in doing things? You don't have the ability to adapt to circumstances. I'm here for you not to kill yourself and others!

In short, your abilities are not worthy of a higher status. "

"But there are so many useless generals in Vienna. They can all do it. I am your biological son!"

"That's enough! You idiot! Today I will show you how your father fights!"

The old marshal kicked his unsatisfactory son in the butt again, and then looked at the young man aside.

Actually, he is a young man, but Benedek has been in the army for more than 20 years. He is different from Colonel Anton. He was born a civilian and had to go through a near-death test even after graduating from a military academy.

However, even after passing the hellish trial, his military rank was still just that of a colonel. However, Benedek has shown extraordinary talent and has been appreciated by the old marshal.

Now Marshal Radetzki must fulfill the obligations of an elder and win this battle.

The old marshal waited for another half an hour, and the scouts from the Kingdom of Sardinia finally discovered the Austrian army.

Several scouts rushed towards their own formation in panic, screaming and shouting along the way.

"The Austrians are coming! We are ambushed! Run!"

At this time, the Sardinian army, which had just crossed the river, immediately exploded. Some wanted to escape, and some wanted to charge. In the confusion, Eusebio immediately ordered his officers to reorganize the team.

As for whether to engage the enemy immediately or withdraw to the other side, he was still hesitating at this time. But it was less than half a minute, but Radetzky didn't even want to give the other party a chance to think.

The rumbling sound of artillery sounded, and solid bullets had already waded through blood alleys at the forefront of the Sardinian army.

Then there were rockets all over the sky. In fact, Marshal Radetzky was the first Austrian military leader to support Congreve's rocket research, but he never thought that this kind of thing would dominate the battlefield one day.

However, the effect of dozens of rockets directly launched into the air was far stronger than the pressure of the God of War, and the black iron ball was completely covered by the gorgeous fireworks.

The army of the Kingdom of Sardinia collapsed almost in an instant. Tens of thousands of people were in chaos. The riverside and the bridge were crowded with people everywhere. The war horses neighed and raised their front hooves high, but they still couldn't pass.

In fact, even if he was a master of horsemanship, it would be impossible to break out of the crowd. Eusebio thought of letting the most elite Savoy cavalry of the Kingdom of Sardinia to delay the enemy, so that he would have enough time to reorganize the team.

These elite cavalry of the Kingdom of Sardinia are worthy of the name of elite. They rushed to the pontoon bridge and prepared to go to the front to participate in the battle without waiting for the order of the superior.

But their bravery was meaningless. The chaotic soldiers, like frightened birds, directly blocked all the roads.