Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 708 010 The 8th Army’s Combat Readiness

The Grand Duke mentioned the matter of the 8th Army, and Solovyov also wanted to find out the situation.

He was of course familiar with the 2nd Grenadier Division commanded by Christian. Several of the grenadier regiments in it were no different from those during the battles in the Balkans. However, other troops were worth paying attention to.

"It is not just you who wants me to go to Peter Ivanovitch?"

"That's true. Prince Bagration originally wanted you to be the deputy commander there, but it seems that you can't play a role without leading the troops."

"That's true, and the old Grenadiers would probably welcome me back. I don't know what they would complain about, especially since I'm from the Moscow Grenadiers."

"Do your best when you get there. What do you think after seeing the lineup?"

"There are also the combined grenadiers and cuirassiers that were transferred. It can be said that the elite troops of the 2nd Army are in my hands."

"That's true, but the main task of the 2nd Army is to cover the flank of the main force, which still requires strong personal command ability. On the one hand, Raevsky will go to the 7th Army, and on the other hand, let Polozkin be the deputy commander, and you will be the army commander."

"Sounds like a chess move."

"It's not just about relocation. When you get there, you still have to pay close attention to the situation of the troops, especially their combat readiness. I know you are quite capable in this area."

"But training also takes time, and I'm afraid the enemy won't give us that much time."

"You mean they'll come over in the summer? I've heard that idea from you more than once."

"After all, in June, the daytime is the longest, the marching time is also longer, and the French also emphasize mobility."

Since he said this, he was naturally prepared. It was easy to study the French because the marching speed of the Russian army in Italy was actually not much different from that of the French.

"If that's the case, they will still seek to engage our main force."

"This will really test our ability. We have to try every possible means. When the enemy is surrounding us, we always have to find a way to get out."

The configuration of Bagration's army was obviously prepared according to the most difficult conditions. If he was not careful, he might be entangled by the enemy in the rearguard battle and flank cover battle.

This is a test of one's ability. Solovyov is well aware that such trust means a great responsibility, especially since the core combat power is in his hands.

We set out for Belarus in early April, when the muddy season had not yet passed. After the carriage left the Baltic coast and entered the edge of the muddy swamp, movement became even more difficult.

"This place is not good, but we have to go there at this time."

When Solovyov formed his own staff team, he still preferred to bring Clausewitz with him. Even though Clausewitz was already prepared to go to the staff of the 3rd Army, he was brought over through connections.

As for the other followers, he also made arrangements. Many of them graduated from the intermediate and advanced classes and cadet classes of the Staff College. At least they could be guaranteed to have a certain level of command ability, and they also received standardized military education.

The commander himself is still on the way, but the 8th Army’s base has been plagued by rainfall, and the muddy base is not friendly to the soldiers.

Similarly, as a master, you should be thankful to have a clean place to stay.

What Solovyov saw on the road was that several armies of the 1st Army were deploying their troops. The current stage of preparing for war was also the stage of replenishing troops and supplies, and dividing transportation lines.

Just from the warehouses built in the back, the vehicles prepared, and the materials mobilized from the local areas, he was able to judge the huge size of the 1st Army, and it was impossible for the enemy's spies not to notice it.

If Napoleon came in the future, he would definitely hope to have a decisive battle with the Russian army in the border area so that he could play to his strengths.

However, according to Barclay's plan, they would retreat to the heart of Russia, and as long as the Tsar did not agree to negotiate, they would continue to lure the French to move inland.

This is not an easy task. For the Russian army, some of them will definitely fall behind during the march. They are not fighting on their own land. Even the Tsar’s superman warriors will be tortured by this climate.

The statement that there is no good season is obviously very lame: the summer is too hot and the winter is too cold, the spring is muddy and the autumn is wet.

Someone who is truly good at military operations can make use of good or bad weather. When leading troops, he must be good at using terrain, not just military knowledge.

Before Solovyov left, Nikolai asked him about this matter.

Although he was reluctant to teach him military skills right now, he still explained the importance of the right time, right place, and right people, and that one should be good at taking advantage of changes in the environment.

In short, Nikolay would listen to whatever he said. Although he had two older brothers in the family, Solovyov was like his best elder brother. No matter what problems he had, he would tell him kindly.

Note that this is the literal meaning. If he had not made a mistake, Solovyov would not have allowed him to see the spirit of the Guards Officers Corps with the authorization of the Empress Dowager.

"Carl, I wouldn't be surprised if the enemy came here at any time after May, but they obviously have some problems with their brains if they come so deep inland to fight us."

"No wonder you want me to be the quartermaster general and be responsible for estimating the reserves of supplies. But what does estimating our own have to do with the French?"

"I think the enemy will always show it on the battlefield. Our consumption during the march should be similar to that of the French, but because they often resupply on the spot, the pressure on logistics is reduced. However, if we take away all these 'extra' supplies, the French will be under great pressure. This is a very troublesome thing for them, even without poisoning the well water."

"Why did you even consider poisoning?"

"Don't we need these water sources ourselves? The villagers will return to their villages in the future. Will we not be able to live? As long as the total amount of supplies to the French is cut off, they will probably have a logistics supply crisis in our country within a hundred versts."

"Then I understand. It's because you are too young and not a member of the royal family. Otherwise, letting you take charge might be helpful."

"The core figure of this war is Napoleon. We will always have someone fighting against him, but when the next war comes, it is still unknown who will be on the stage. Perhaps the soldiers at that time will not be as eye-catching as they are now. Or there will be some core figures in a larger-scale war."

Solovyov's ideas were so wild that even Clausewitz was confused.

However, it is indeed useful for them to assess the status of the 8th Army.

In general, the Russian army would be equipped with cavalry directly under the corps in the army-level units, but this time he was directly assigned with the Cuirassiers Regiment, and there were five of them. The consumption of fodder alone was a huge number. Although for horses, with the current supply status, as long as they could find fodder on the way, even a piece of pasture could alleviate a lot.

But when it comes to what people eat, that is another question.

The number of canned food stored by the 8th Army was not enough. Although Lieutenant General Polozkin had tried his best to collect supplies and had raised the issue of supply with Bagration many times, whether it was purchased locally or mobilized from the rear, it was not enough for a force of tens of thousands of people.

What's more, the 1st Army in the front has 6 armies, and there is also an even larger cavalry there.

The difficulty of supply is an issue that we have always had to consider.

During this time on the muddy road, Solovyov and Clausewitz were warming up before taking office based on the information provided to them by Barclay.

"I hope there won't be another war. Mick, you know, I'm a little worried right now. My wife seems to be pregnant."

"Do you also think that this war is very dangerous?"

"Why do you ask this suddenly?"

"If you didn't feel like you were in crisis, you wouldn't be making out with your wife almost every day. It seems like there are some results."

Clausewitz's wife was really worth it. In addition to being a wife, she was also a housekeeper + maid + secretary + assistant. She was simply an all-round and virtuous daughter-in-law.

"Mick, that's really something you would do. But if you don't spend much time with women, you must think the battlefield will be very dangerous."

"If we also need women... No, there are always some women dressed as men in the cavalry. Although there are not many, they always exist. Apart from these girls, it is better for other women to stay away from war. They have the right to choose their own happy life."

"But they all hope that we can live well, especially you who are most concerned about us. I'm afraid there is also our Queen. Something must have happened when you went out with Queen Louise that time."

"I promised to keep it confidential, so don't expect to get any specific information."

"Of course I know. Her Majesty the Queen has reminded me that I will have to return to Prussia in the future. It is also important to protect Her Majesty's reputation. In the future, it will always be Crown Prince Frederick William who will inherit the throne in Prussia. Several of our royal highnesses also like you very much. After all, you are an excellent soldier. As for Princess Charlotte, my relatives wrote to say that Her Majesty the Queen has been arranging for her to come to Russia."

"Speaking of which, I am also a matchmaker. After all, if the friendship between Her Royal Highness the Princess and His Royal Highness Grand Duke Nicholas of our country develops into love in the future, it may bring the relationship between our two countries to a new level."

"The relationship between these two princes is so good, they should be very happy if they become husband and wife."

Well, except for the fact that they are too young, they haven't gone any further. They have already completed the processes of holding hands, hugging and kissing. The development of their emotions in this way can even be considered as childhood sweethearts.

If you think about it, it may be much more intimate than history.

Queen Louise's gossipy nature seems to be contagious at times.

There are also many Prussian soldiers now, because the old Prussian army has almost ceased to exist, and they will eventually have to find work elsewhere.

Many Prussians came to Russia. Many of these experienced officers were staff officers and aides, and were obviously very useful, especially in the Russian army units with more German officers.

But the situation was different on Bagration's side. Except for Christian, who was the prince of Mecklenburg, the rest of the generals were locals.

Clausewitz had a good talent for languages. Since he was able to quickly master French, living in Russia also made it easier for him to learn Russian.

But he couldn't tell his wife that he and his wife were learning Russian in bed. If Solovyov knew about this, he would probably laugh his ass off.

After the muddy potholes on the road were filled, the carriages continued to move forward.

They finally arrived at Gomel in the rear as planned. While the French did not approach the Neman River, many Russian troops did not appear near the border.

Both sides are hiding their strength at this time, and at the same time they have to seize the time to prepare for war.

The more convenient place here in Gomel is probably on a road south of Minsk that is more convenient for movement, but it will not get better until summer.

Here in Belarus, Bagration himself is probably less famous than the action that was named after him more than a hundred years later.

After reuniting with the generals on the front line, Solovyov discovered that communication was actually quite painstaking.

Christian is his brother-in-law. Neverowski had served in the East Prussian Corps during the Polish Campaign. Count Vorontsov is the son of the pro-British count. As for General Nolin, who is in charge of commanding the cavalry, he is also easier to talk to.

They were all acquaintances, and for Solovyov, this was a more suitable place for him to display his abilities. It was a pity that some of the infantry regiments he had previously commanded were dispersed among the various infantry divisions, and he didn't see many of them on hand.

As for the old soldiers, they cheered again when they saw him.

Solovyov more or less represents the ability to win battles, and logistical supplies are generally sufficient, so meat can be eaten frequently.

But there were also some people who made a fuss, especially the old guys from the Moscow Grenadiers, some of whom had watched him grow up.

Even Solovyov saw old man Semenov.

"I say, old man, isn't it time for you to retire and go home? You've served for 25 years, isn't it better to go back to the countryside?"

"Master, I can't bear to leave my brothers. Besides, at a time like this, an old guy like me can at least play a role, right?"

As for Igor, he was standing next to him.

"You guys are so good, you all like to be together, count me in too. If we fight this time, I'm afraid it will be more difficult than the previous wars, but I believe we will win in the end!"

When he said this, the grenadiers cheered, although they still wanted to complain that their commander didn't bring his beautiful young wife and cute little maid with him, which was partly because the enemy was more difficult to fight. (End of this chapter)

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