This is the last of chapter of my memoir "Napoleon - The Emperor of France"
Previous Chapter-The Fall of Christiania
Charles XII realized that nothing can stop the supremacy of
the French army; he knew that he will not be able to stop Beauharnais with his
badly equipped army; most of them were demoralized and have no guts to fight
the French. Without hesitating, he surrendered Stockholm to Beauharnais and
urged his general at Finland to stop the conflict. The Swedish finally bowed to
the Emperor. Charles XII and his royal family were all given a good treatment
by Beauharnais and still can reside in the city of Stockholm. But, something
that they did not realize is the condition at Finland. Is the Swedish generals
who highly motivated and most of them hold a title of “patriot” during the
Russian-Swedish conflict will easily surrender and accept the term. The answer
is no, the commanding officer of the Sweden army, Field Marshal Carl Gustav
will not easily accept the term of surrender and he swore to defend Aabo, the
region capital of Finland.
General Eduard Mortier joined Napoleon’s invasion of Russia
as the commander of the Army Group A, rarely involved in a pitched battle.
During the campaign, he took all the cities and clear Napoleon’s left flank
without losing much men on the battle compared to the other fronts. He is also
being remembered for his brave movement during the winter, succeeded in
capturing Courland and Novgorod while most of the invading army stopping by on
the nearest city to shelter themselves from the Russian winter.
Gustav made a surprise attack against Mortier’s army camped
outside the city of Aabo. In this small skirmish between the Swedish Hussar
against the outnumbered Moncey’s personal guard, Gustav managed to inflicted a
very first casualties for Mortier’s army and one of them was Brigadier General
De Moncey.
Mortier then rallies his army and storm the fortification of
Aabo. Like Christiania, Aabo consisted of a small fort that forms the first
layer but the difference is the numerical superiority that the French have. In
this battle, Mortier’s seasoned troops outnumbered Gustav’s army almost two to
one. Besides, Mortier also have fully armoured artilleries as well as his loyal
cavalry squadron. By contrast, Gustav only has several battalions of infantry
and 3 squadron of Swedish Hussar. All of them are ready to die for as a patriot
of nation although the king, Charles XII had issued a surrender proclamation
throughout the country.
The French batteries shelled the fortification merciless,
and managed to destroy the main gate while killing several Swedish infantry in
advance. Mortier then launched three battalions of Foot to capture the small
watch tower then hold the bridge while the other battalions will reinforce
their rear and van.
The Foot captured the observation tower without being
resisted by the Swedish army, now they must hold it until more reinforcement
could come to strengthen Mortier’s front guard. If this position recapture by
the Swedish, the French cannot resume their advance to the inner city.
Swedish’s Jaeger Battalion crossing the bridge and intend to
recapture the watch tower from the French. Gustav then ordered more battalion
to assist the Jaeger in the decisive hand to hand combat against Mortier’s
Foots. The French having seen a numerous battle most of their life steadily
holds the bridge until Mortier made a single solid decision. To destroy the
bridge and ended the continuous attack against his front guard.
The French Foot’s commander has already assembled his troops
away from the bridge and ready in their battle line formation over the watch
tower. Gustav previously ordered most of his troops to scale the wall and take
position near the watch tower. Simultaneously, Mortier ordered his cannons to
pound the position and as a result, the bridge was being destroyed and most of
the Swedish army positioned under the bridge was being killed by the fallen
bridge.
Mortier then signalled a general advance towards the city.
The Swedish army was completely routed and fleeing the battlefield. But, soon
they were being captured by the French Navy. Gustav’s dead body were found at
the rubble of the destroyed main entrance, indicated that he is trying to rally
his troops back inside Aabo. This answered Mortier’s confusion on why the
Swedish quickly lost to him without offering a bitter and heavy resistance for
his army.
Mortier personally informed Napoleon’s Lord Secretary of
Army, Louis Alexander Berthier the victory he gained upon his arrival at Paris.
The final victory for the Emperor is actually did not complete yet, there is
still another one minor problem – Corsica and the Corse Rebel. Napoleon then decides
to bring his most elite and professional unit; his personal army made up from
the Old Guard, the French Artilerie Pied and the Cuirassiers to invade Corsica
and crushed the rebel. This is because Corsica is his birthplace and it’s his
obligation and responsibility to claim it back, second – he want to ended his
conquest of Europe and personally take the credit. Napoleon landed on Corsica
without any resistance then advance to the small town of Corsica; there his
personal army easily crushed the rebel without taking any death tolls for his
side.
Napoleon then landed on the shore of Marseille and begins
his journey to the capital of the France Empire and Europe – Paris. He has
successfully conquered the whole Europe, abolished several monarchies, and
dissolved a number of republics and almost a dozen of Confederation that formed
the European map before the rise of his empire. With the majestic victory after
victory, Napoleon then became the Emperor of France and all Europe.
The France Empire and her leader after completed the
conquest of Europe. Even the Roman Empire failed to achieve what the Emperor
has.
Napoleon, with his cabinet minister. Only two of them
deserve a real glorious honour from the Emperor - the Head of Minister, Charles
De Talleyrand and Napoleon’s Lord Secretary of Army, Louis Alexander Berthier.
Talleyrand assisted the Emperor in dealing with the enemies, allies and
protectorate. Often being threatened, most notably by the Ottoman agent during
their negotiation to open a trading port. Without him, the empire will never enjoy
a spectacular wealth obtained from his brilliant trade agreement with the other
nations. Louis Alexander Berthier, Napoleon’s military adviser has successfully
done his obligation as the strategist, both on offensive and defensive action
favoured by the Emperor. Without his grand strategy, Napoleon will not able to
conquer the Europe continent – a position which he achieved now.
The France Empire, after the Invasion of Russia on Spring
1811. At this time, the Emperor still maintains a good relationship with his
allies while secretly developed a plan to destroy them. Just like what Hitler
did to Stalin during World War 2, dishonoured the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and
invade the Soviet Union.
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