The Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Italy continued, "At present, nearly 40% of the Austrian Army's forces are being used to control places like Verona and Vicenza. Before launching their full-scale offensive, Archduke Karl will certainly concentrate his troops around the upper reaches of the Mincio River on the western side.
"And with troop movements on such a massive scale, based on my understanding of the Austrian Army, there will definitely be plenty of gaps to exploit."
As the "Key of Italy," Mantua was not actually a single fortress, but a series of fortifications built around the Mincio River and the Po River. Its east-west defensive line stretched more than ninety kilometers, which was why it could cut Northern Italy cleanly in two.
For the Austrian Army to fully control the region north of Mantua, it had to station troops in key towns from west to east, including Verona, Vicenza, Padua, and Treviso.
At the same time, these important towns could be used to stockpile logistical supplies—moving twenty to fifty kilometers south would make it easy to resupply the Austrian Army attacking the Mantua defensive line.
If Archduke Karl wanted to concentrate his forces, sixty or seventy thousand soldiers from these places would head for the upper reaches of the Mincio River. Padua, being farther away, required a march of around eighty kilometers.
Berthier's eyes widened at once. "You intend to cross the Po River and launch a surprise attack on them?"
Moreau nodded. "There are many rivers on the Po River Plain. As the Austrians rush toward the upper Mincio River, it will be difficult for them to coordinate with one another.
"According to His Highness's theory of Encirclement and Interpenetration, as long as our army can remain concealed and possesses sufficient mobility, we can create a local superiority