Chapter 235： Helpless choice (1/2)
After more than two months of hard fighting, the coalition forces finally defeated the Greek ”civilian armed forces” and achieved the first victory of the British army since the outbreak of the Near East War.
Major Oliver's hanging heart also fell to the ground, and he finally had a record. With less than 5,000 casualties on his own side, he killed 18,000 enemy troops and captured 14,000 enemy troops.
The enemy's business was a matter of blackness and he had been decisively ignored. As long as he continued to defeat the Principality of Montenegro, he would complete all the combat tasks.
A young officer reported: ”General, military orders from the country: order us to continue to pursue the enemy forces, if the Greek Kingdom accepts these enemy forces, domestic authorization we can take the necessary means.”
Necessary means? In fact, it is an excuse to enter the Greek kingdom and teach the Greek government. Apparently, the London government was very dissatisfied with the government of Otto I, and wanted to give them some color to see.
”I see,” Major Oliver replied calmly.
He has no good opinion of the Greeks. If it was not for the Greeks' sneak attack, the Ottomans were forced to reduce their frontline forces, and the battle of Sofia would not be lost.
Although all the responsibilities were passed on to others, Major General Oliver knew it well. The battle was difficult to blame. It would accompany his life and become an indelible stain.
Now I have the opportunity to find the Greeks to settle accounts, he naturally will not let go of this opportunity.
There will always be excuses. Even if Otto I pretended, this time the London government would try to beat this restless young man.
It is obviously impossible to get confused. It's just that the Greek government did not recognize the troop dispatch, so in the face of it, the British could not use this as a reason to treat them.
The European countries are still watching. Once they have done too much, everyone will still interfere, and John Niu can't cover everything.
Even in the UK, there is no problem with Greece's attack on the Ottomans, but they have chosen the wrong time.
The Greek government lost its way at the last minute and did not join the Russian camp, which left room for manoeuvre. Obviously, the political judgment of Otto I was still acceptable.
...
Constantinople's General Command of the Russian Foreign Forces, General Menshkov, once again received a letter of reprimand from Nicholas I.
The attack lasted so long and cost hundreds of thousands of casualties. Constantinople was still in the hands of the enemy and could not see any signs of being conquered. The Tsarist government was naturally anxious.
The pressure on Menshekov has increased greatly. If he can't think of a way, the St. Petersburg government will have to replace someone. When the glory of Constantinople is overcome, he will part with him. This is intolerable for Menshekov. .
A middle-aged general proposed: ”Her commander, consider the Austrian suggestion, as long as you can conquer Constantinople, everything is easy to do.”
Menshkov shook his head and said, ”The Austrian proposal was too expensive! They did not conquer Constantinople, but they used a cannon to blast Constantinople.
Except for the heavy artillery they recommend, they can only be used as shore artillery in the future. If they had proposed hundreds of huge artillery guns, their ammunition consumption would be thousands of tons per day.
Don't say that we ca n’t afford it. It is estimated that even if the Austrians produce at full capacity, they may not be able to meet our needs.
Every day, destroying millions of rubles worth of ammunition. To conquer Constantinople, at least hundreds of millions of rubles, or even a billion rubles, are needed. Do you think we can fight them? ”
This is not the most pitfall, but the money is spent, and Constantinople may not be able to beat it.
The artillery recommended by Austria is very inconvenient to move on the battlefield. It would be even worse if the artillery positions were destroyed by the enemy.
The middle-aged officer reminded: ”But the Commander, this is the only way that seems to be able to breach Constantinople.
The enemy forces opposite were very stubborn and they relied on fortifications to defend. The six-pound cannon in our hands simply tickles them. Even a twelve-pound cannon can only deal with some ordinary fortifications.
Unable to destroy these fortresses, what can we do to conquer Constantinople? If we miss this opportunity, we are Russian sinners. ”
This is the most helpless, no matter how reliable this method is, but it is the only way to succeed.
The tsarist government will not care so much, and the people in the country will not be too much outside, and all have reached the foot of Constantinople. If you do n’t win this city, will you be worthy of your ancestors?
...
After visiting the camp, watching the declining morale and listening to the mournful screams, even the iron-hearted Meneshkov couldn't help shaking.
He knew that he couldn't continue this way anymore. It was estimated that the Russian army would have mutinized before Constantinople had attacked.
Gray animals are also human. When the casualties have reached a certain level, they will also collapse. This consequence cannot be afforded by Menshekov.
...
In one corner of the camp, several soldiers were plotting.
A gray-faced young soldier said in a low tone, ”Joy, have you figured out the route? If you continue this way, I'm afraid it won't be long before we all fall on the battlefield.
Did you know that just yesterday, the guy from Rollsbee was injured in the left leg. In order to avoid infection, he had to amputate. Unable to bear the blow, he committed suicide that night. ”
A middle-aged soldier next to him reminded: ”Fox, don't be like this. The route must be planned before leaving, otherwise if there is a mistake, we will be hung at the gate of the camp!”