Entering the Strategic Counteroffensive Stage (Bonus Chapter for Black Hand Chieftain Salted

Entering the Strategic Counteroffensive Stage (Bonus Chapter for Black Hand Chieftain Salted Fish Wei, Alliance Leader)

The cannon closest to the fortress's southern entrance suddenly fell silent.

The French Infantry charging forward were heartened and swiftly spread into skirmisher formations—the Directly Subordinate Legion's infantry had undergone extensive skirmishing training.

As the French Army unleashed its first volley, the enemy troops near the fortress entrance retreated eastward one after another.

Their fire then shifted toward the fortress gates, preventing the Austrian Army inside from coming out to reinforce them.

But before long, the cannons and flintlock guns atop the fortress began firing madly in their direction. More than a dozen French Soldiers were immediately drenched in blood and fell, sacrificing their lives.

The French battalion commander loudly encouraged the soldiers. "Hold on, everyone! Major Wassel's reinforcements will be here soon. This will become our breakthrough point for storming the fortress!"

Gérard hurriedly led his men toward a heavy cannon emplacement at the salient. Before they had even entered the cannon's blind spot, they raised their guns and began firing.

In less than twenty minutes, the casualties of the two French Infantry battalions had already exceeded 260. Yet they remained stubbornly entrenched at the fortress's southern entrance, preventing the Austrian Army's defensive line there from closing.

Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came from afar.

Gérard turned to look and saw the banner of the Royal Dragoon Battalion fluttering in the sunlight. Behind them seemed to be a Horse Artillery unit.

The Dragoons dismounted before the fortress, swiftly formed up, and then launched a fierce assault on the fortress.

At the same time, the Horse Artillery set up its cannons and concentrated its bombardment on the enemy troops at the breach.

More than eight hundred Dragoons encountered almost no resistance as they