Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 294 061 Training requires practical subjects

After returning to Smolensk, Solovyov first went to see General Apraksin.

"Go to Nikolay Andreyevich's. Is the old prince still the same?"

"That's true, but I think he enjoys it and his daily life is unshakable."

"Maybe it's not bad for him," Apraksin was very familiar with the former Moscow commander-in-chief. "Generals who served in Moscow are more or less like this. This marshal is like this. The former commander-in-chief, Prince Klimsky, was also like this. You should have met his son Vasily Vasilyevich when you were abroad."

"Yes, they were first in Dresden, then in France and Italy, and most recently in Naples."

"Naples, the weather there is really nice, I also want to go there."

General Apraksin is obviously not satisfied with the current boring life. Russians always hope to go to a warm place.

"But it's too far away, even from Crimea."

Solovyov's words also dispelled General Apraksin's idea of ​​going to Italy.

He also missed his estate in Moscow, and when he held salons, he wanted to show the host's enthusiasm, as all Moscow nobles did.

"It was the same on the march, when you went to Italy."

Suvorov's expeditions in Italy and Switzerland spent far more time on the march than on station and fighting.

In the end, the Russian army relied entirely on strategic maneuvers and moved faster than the French, and ultimately won the victory.

However, the Russian army's marching condition was not very good along the way. Even the elite guards and grenadiers had soldiers falling behind.

Every time they gathered and rested at a certain location, they had to wait for the soldiers who fell behind, which he had experienced very well.

Especially when marching towards Verona, the subsequent forced march rarely needs to be so fast, and there is more time for rest in between.

Moreover, operations like the Battle of the Trebia River were actually easier for the soldiers when they were fought in one area for three or four consecutive days.

"In addition to being the head of the Selenge Regiment, your main job is still with me. I think you should draw up a new training outline for our soldiers, and make some adjustments to the old methods."

Apraksin still found him a more intense task, but Solovyov still hoped to increase shooting training and field marching training, both of which are generally lacking in the Russian army in recent times.

When it comes to endurance, Russian soldiers have always been very tough.

However, even though Alexander's edict had required soldiers to undergo aiming and shooting training two years ago, Constantine also issued relevant orders regarding the shooting training of the juggernauts.

If we only look at the armed training, the Russian army's performance is very good, much better than the Prussian army which can only masturbate on a daily basis.

But the problem is that they now lack lead for projectiles, and the quantity distributed to each unit is very limited.

Even in Smolensk, the gateway to Moscow, the supply of lead for bullet making was very limited and could not sustain the required number of shooting training sessions.

"If we can increase the amount of ammunition, it might be of some help."

Even during the gray animal period that followed, the Russian army's problems were always supply problems, not inability to keep up with production in the rear. Moreover, when they had money or assistance from allies, they were still able to get a lot of ammunition of various calibers.

"I know you have always had good ideas, but it is also troublesome to find where to get the supplies. Perhaps, you can just submit a report, I will dictate it, and you can draft it."

Speaking of which, Solovyov was quite familiar with secretarial work. Although he actually disliked this kind of tedious work, he had to admit that sometimes you had to do without these bureaucratic jobs.

It is somewhat difficult to get rid of bureaucracy. If productivity improves, it will be even more troublesome because new projects will always have to be added.

Apraksin also discovered that Solovyov, who was engaged in translation work on a daily basis, actually had some skills.

"Do you need an ending?"

"Let me take a look. This is not bad. I think the emperor can also understand the current situation in Smolensk."

Live-fire training has always been somewhat difficult, after all, it requires supplies, and if you pay for it yourself, you can’t afford the extra money.

But there are still some ways to train the team.

According to the current unified pace of the Russian army, each step is 1 Arshin, equivalent to 0.71 meters, the slow pace is 75 steps per minute, and the fast pace is 120 steps per minute.

During the march, the time for running may be limited, after all, you are carrying a lot of equipment.

This regulation has been fixed, and soldiers' training still has some physical requirements.

The soldiers recruited from the countryside are relatively hardworking, and being a soldier is actually a much better environment than being a serf on a manor. Moreover, the soldiers are not willing to retire, and after returning, they may even have to work as boat trackers on the Volga River.

However, queue training still needs to maintain a high degree of consistency. Running a few miles is actually a daily physical training and the cost of meals alone is enough to sustain it.

In fact, in this era, it is still necessary to accumulate and adapt personal physical fitness under the combat conditions of line infantry.

"We still need to get our basic military training right, sir."

Apraksin agreed with his opinion and asked him to prepare a training outline to be implemented in accordance with the Tsar's latest instructions.

The scope of implementation included the infantry and cavalry regiments under the responsibility of the Smolensk Military Governor, as well as a separately organized artillery regiment.

But Solovyov's artillery drill manual was basically self-taught. Unlike him, who had been in the infantry regiment for so long, he was very familiar with the three main infantry combat methods.

Therefore, officers knowledgeable in artillery and cavalry are also needed to assist.

Solovyov himself only needed to take care of infantry and logistics issues.

As for logistics, if he wanted to create a Smolensk version of the manual, he had to go back to the Selenge Regiment to develop it himself.

To do this, he actually needed to do some on-site operations and conduct an experiment on the Selenge Regiment.

However, asking them to work as lumberjacks all the time did have a good effect. At least the soldiers were able to maintain their physical fitness through physical labor, and even made some progress.

This is a pleasant surprise, and the roads near the Selenge Regiment’s base have now been almost repaired.

The winter will be spent here, and not many officers will ask for leave, so winter training can be carried out.

In fact, there is another reason. Russians are more cold-resistant, and training in this environment also requires improving their cold-proof skills.

First of all, when the soldiers came from their hometowns, they couldn’t stay indoors all the time in the winter and had to come out.

The Russian army was stationed not only in the city. For example, the Moscow Grenadiers, although named after Moscow, were stationed in Kaluga. In addition to the Guards, many other troops were stationed in separate barracks. During Tsar Paul's military reform, many regiments were stationed in the same old places. Not every Russian city had palaces like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In addition to staying in the warm cabin, they also have to consider that they will likely face winter combat in the future.

If the battlefield environment is so harsh, we really need to consider what we are facing on the battlefield. In the winter, the mortality rate of soldiers who are injured and bleed to death is higher. In a windy and snowy environment, the human body will quickly suffer from frostbite or even death due to the loss of precious heat.

"Master, why do you want us to train in the winter?"

"What do you think we should do, Sergeant Petrov, if the war is fought in winter?"

"My hometown is Selenginsk. In winter, we usually don't go out too far. If someone gets drunk, he will definitely be doomed."

It seems that Russians 200 years ago might have been more clear-headed. Even though they came from Siberia, their brains were generally more normal.

This is no wonder. Those who can go to Siberia at this time are either bastards, brave people, or the cream of the Russians - those who dare to resist the emperor will experience the benefits of the Siberian package, although Paul and Alexander do not like to send their subjects to Siberian farmhouses to enjoy package treatment.

"Well said, Petrov. We come out to train in the winter just to keep you alive."

"Yes, young commander, the privates here are all older than you."

The soldiers were quite friendly with him, because it was quite rare to find such a humble commander.

"But you also have to note that I am the leader of the group, and you have to listen to me in the group!"

"Yes!"

Solovyov was actually quite satisfied with these soldiers, but if an entire regiment were filled with complaining soldiers, it would be unbearable.

Fortunately, they are all relatively obedient.

"We have to train in winter and we also have to go through a period of adaptation."

While he was speaking in the front, the soldiers in the back row had already started talking.

"What do you think the little captain is doing today?"

"I don't know, but we still have to do whatever he tells us to do."

“But I also want to say something.”

"What do you want to say, old Vasya?"

"I have been in service for 20 years, and I came from the old Selenge Regiment. When Prince Vasily Dolgorukov was here, I heard the old soldiers at that time talk about our young commander, but he was arrogant."

"But I heard that he and Prince Vasily's son"

Anyway, Solovyov will know in the future that he can't tell everything to the loud-mouthed quartermaster Statsenko. Not only does he resell military supplies to maintain the regiment's funds, he also makes some money for himself. He is also a gossip spreader.

"I remember the prince's son."

"The people in their family are all very strong and sturdy. I don't know how they changed. But the sons and daughters born to Vasily Vasilyevich and his wife are all very energetic."

"Our young commander seems to respect little Prince Vasily very much. Maybe he wants to be his son-in-law."

"Prince Vasily is 52 years old this year, and his daughter..."

"Not too old, maybe only about 13, if she waits until she's old enough to get married."

"hey-hey."

"I think this is a good idea. Our young leader is 23 years old this year. It would be nice for him to marry a young wife."

These old soldiers who were gossiping were laughing there. Solovyov was busy talking in the front and didn't notice what was happening at the back. Of course, he didn't know that there were old soldiers from the Selenge Regiment who were making trouble for him.

".In short, in this winter training, we have to adapt to winter marching, stationing, shooting training, and bayonet charge. Every necessary subject in today's training is to reduce bloodshed on the battlefield in the future!"

When he talked about this, he suddenly remembered that many troops had abandoned the training methods of the Suvorov era. He had learned them at the time, and he couldn't abandon them.

If all this is lost, the quality of Russian soldiers will probably decline.

He had seen some soldiers from the infantry regiment firing guns into the air during military exercises, but their shots were not accurate enough. This was definitely not acceptable.

But it is indeed troublesome to change their habits.

At this point, Solovyov also had to consider what else he could do.

However, these soldiers listened to him, and the Selenge Regiment still had some ways to get things done.

Of course, with Russian characteristics, Solovyov also thought that he must build a city with ice and snow when the ground is covered with heavy snow.

If Boss Cao heard this, he would probably give a thumbs up.

What he recalled was a famous Russian painting that depicted a snowball fight in winter.

This would also allow the Selenge Regiment, with a thousand or so men, to establish good relations with the local residents. Unlike the Smolensk Regiment, they came from other places.

By then, it will be very lively, and the Russians will probably like to watch the fun.

As for before winter, new military coats are needed, and these need to be distributed to each regiment.

This military coat is usually hung on the body like a sack. In addition, there is a backpack on the back, where a lot of supplies and ammunition are also carried.

Everything seems normal. After this winter, military training may not be enough.

If we abandon some military training methods when dealing with the French, we will inevitably become slack in military operations.

That’s the situation. How can we fight this important battle against the French alliance on the battlefield at the critical moment next year?

Therefore, it is still necessary to understand the basic military theory concepts.

However, the training of the French army has never been interrupted in Boulogne-sur-Mer, and the large army is almost taking shape. As for its combat effectiveness, the anti-French alliance will have a very profound experience in the future.

(End of this chapter)