Post by Leopold I von Habsburg on Mar 3, 2015 23:54:26 GMT
The centre of the Austrian advance was covered "Armee von Deutchland", stationed in Pfalz. The Austrian officer core assigned the army to the command of General Charles Teschen. He was like many of his fellow generals excited for the fight against France at last and took command of his forces enthusiastically. He was given to operational directive of securing the provinces of both Metz and Elsass. The "Amree von Deutschland", like the "Armee Der Nationalen Sturm", had a sizable force at its disposal. The army comprised of the following, 21,000 line infantry, 5000 engineers, 1000 dragoons, 2000 Hussars, 100 field guns, 1000 dragoons (Wurttemburg), and 100 field guns. The army was well supplied, it had stocked up well whist resting on the Rhine, enjoying the many sites and the beautiful local women. Of course, it marched to the French frontier in good order, and crossed over in just as good order.
The forces though had to split after crossing the border. As with other occupation plans the army was sub-divided into an Nord armee and a Sud armee. The overall sttength was split evenly in two with both Nord Amree and Sud army receiving a similar amount of men and equipment, this though stretched the supply lines. of course engineers were employed to build supply lines running back to the HRE in order the ensure the continual fresh supply of the armies needs, however a live of the land policy was adopted by the advancing forces.
In the face of no resistance, due to the lack of French troops in the area, both sub armies advanced rapidly and in a good order until after just under a weeks march they reached their operational targets: Metz and Strasbourg (It being the regional capital of Elsass). The cities were both quickly surrounded, the field guns dominating the surround hills of both cites ready to fire should they need to. As with Austrian armies to the north once the cities were surrounded messengers were sent to both asking them to politely surrender, doing so would ensure the peaceful occupation of both provinces for the foreseeable future. The two armies took up defensive positions around the city and concentrated around the cities but also making sure to capture the surround cities.
Sud army also demanded that the garrison in Strasbourg surrender as well in the face of over whelming forces, if not the Sud army would make battle with it on the fields surrounding the city.
The forces though had to split after crossing the border. As with other occupation plans the army was sub-divided into an Nord armee and a Sud armee. The overall sttength was split evenly in two with both Nord Amree and Sud army receiving a similar amount of men and equipment, this though stretched the supply lines. of course engineers were employed to build supply lines running back to the HRE in order the ensure the continual fresh supply of the armies needs, however a live of the land policy was adopted by the advancing forces.
In the face of no resistance, due to the lack of French troops in the area, both sub armies advanced rapidly and in a good order until after just under a weeks march they reached their operational targets: Metz and Strasbourg (It being the regional capital of Elsass). The cities were both quickly surrounded, the field guns dominating the surround hills of both cites ready to fire should they need to. As with Austrian armies to the north once the cities were surrounded messengers were sent to both asking them to politely surrender, doing so would ensure the peaceful occupation of both provinces for the foreseeable future. The two armies took up defensive positions around the city and concentrated around the cities but also making sure to capture the surround cities.
Sud army also demanded that the garrison in Strasbourg surrender as well in the face of over whelming forces, if not the Sud army would make battle with it on the fields surrounding the city.
