v3 Chapter 604： Fall of Eastern France

The appeal issued by the United Kingdom on August 25, 1869 was ignored at the beginning of the popularization of law.

At the same time, the army of the Kingdom of Prussia had William I as the commander-in-chief, Mao Qi as the chief of staff, and Bismarck as the overall situation. The three planned to concentrate their superior forces. After attacking Alsace and Lorraine, the two territories in eastern France, The three men tried to annihilate the main force of the French army in the east on the Franco-Prussian border or to the north of France, and then prepare for the attack on Paris.

The mobilization plan of the Prussian army was well-planned, and the troops were transported by rail throughout the process. On August 26, together with the Prussian troops attacking France on the front line, a steady stream of transport troops arrived at the western Prussian border. As of August 27, Prussia has assembled 470,000 corps in three major armies and more than 1,625 artillery pieces on the border between Prussia and France.

Perhaps it was influenced by the appeal of the maritime hegemon, the United Kingdom. Or because the two sides have entered a tug-of-war in the last few days, and because the main force of the Prussian army has not been able to fully deploy, it cannot continue to attack and pursue victories. Although the French army was defeated due to insufficient preparation before the war, it was defeated in the exhibition in the border area. However, the main force did not receive a major blow from the Prussian army, and the losses were limited. At the same time, the French border was set up for the offensive and was not suitable for defense at all. Adjust the deployment and stand by for a decisive battle with the Prussian army. Because of this, the French and Prussian armies actually led to a period of intermission.

On September 1, 1869, a 10-country foreign minister-level meeting was held in London, England, consisting of Britain, Tsarist Russia, Austria-Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, and Prussia and France, both parties to the Franco-Prussian War. End the Franco-Prussian dispute.

At the meeting, Britain and the Russian Empire and the Franco-Prussian War had peace talks, and even the British Queen Victoria attended the meeting in person to give a speech, she solemnly reiterated Britain's attitude of wanting an armistice between the two countries.

"No one likes a war in Europe. I hope that the two countries can coexist peacefully, not war. Britain will use its own advantages to support the convening of this armistice conference and contribute to Britain's strength."

Afterwards, British Prime Minister Disraeli also announced measures on behalf of the British government, including preparing to send a delegation to visit the two countries to prevent the war from continuing.

At the meeting, in addition to the position of the host, the United Kingdom, the Russian Empire and the Austria-Hungary Empire, the foes after the Crimean War in 1853, took a unified stand, and they rarely stood with the United Kingdom because of their scruples about Prussia.

But what makes these countries strange is that, with the exception of Belgium and Italy, this time it is vaguely on the side of France.

While the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain seem to be mutually exclusive, they actually chose Prussia.

But thinking about it, it seems to be similar to the recent position.

In the end, the meeting fell apart.

The Netherlands and Prussia can know from the recent transfer of the Bahrain Islands in the Middle East that the relationship between the two countries has turned from the struggle for influence on the side of Milliken. The Spanish ruling Insabella II was in conflict with the French Napoleon III.

The most surprising thing is that Denmark chose to support Prussia. Did they forget the pain caused by the Prussian War?

Many people do not understand what Christian IX thinks.

Sweden has always been detached from Europe and northern Europe, while France is far away from Sweden, but Prussia just follows the Baltic Sea. The two countries have close relations, so supporting Prussia is not difficult to understand.

Belgium has been frightened by the Netherlands, and now only Brussels and the southern province of Walloon Brabant are left. And here, the French occupy the majority.

Leopold II, who took back the king's due rights, naturally judged the situation and followed Britain and France away.

And Italy, perhaps out of fear of the threat posed by France's defeat by Prussia, supported France.

While all countries are thinking about the positions of the countries at the meeting, the French-Prussian battlefield continues to let their guns and shells sound.

On September 3, 1869, when the atmosphere of the failure of the London Conference loomed over Europe, the commander ordered the 1st Army led by Karl Friedrich von Steinmetz of the Prussian 1st Army to suddenly divide the income from the Belgian province of Liège with France. The East Liege Province attacked the West Liege Province. Unprepared, the commander of the Metz Corps, De. Fayin, led his 5th Army to be defeated. He was finally forced to withdraw from the West Liege Province and was driven to Napoleon III from Belgium. The city of Namur, the capital of Namur Province, was grabbed.

The entire east of the city fell into Prussian hands.

After the news came back to Paris, France was shocked. Even from the original Luxembourg province of Belgium to the current French Luxembourg province is also occupied by most of it, Namur city south to the east of Bastogne city in French Luxembourg province are Prussian.

As a result, almost one-third of the territory fraudulently obtained from Belgium a few years ago fell into the hands of Prussia in less than a month It can be said to be a great disgrace to France.

.....

Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

When William IV learned of France's fiasco in Liège and Namur, he frowned, but suppressed his strange thoughts.

"Our army is the first-class army in Europe. It is well-trained and has strong combat effectiveness. To be honest, I announced the war against Prussia with a very relaxed mood."

William IV sneered at Tolbeck next to him and said, "I remember this sentence well. It was said by Napoleon III, Prime Minister of the French Empire, Olivier, shortly after he declared war, right?"

"Your Majesty remembers it well, it is indeed him" Prime Minister Tolbeck not only felt sorry for Napoleon III, but now the situation in France is too difficult.

William IV said astonishingly: "Based on what I know about Bismarck and William I, they may have to divide the enemy into pieces. That is to say, next, France may have to change its face."

Seeing Tolbek showing a shocked expression.

William IV: "If this happens, the Netherlands can take the next step"

Tolbeck looked at William IV on standby.

The latter said: "Our Principality of Luxembourg, now that Liège, Namur-Oriental and French Luxembourg have fallen to Prussia, France is already struggling to support the eastern frontier. Especially when it is obtained. The original Belgian territory, Bismarck will not let this opportunity lightly pass.”

Tolbeck seemed to have thought of something. He looked up at William IV: "Your Majesty means that Prussia is going to attack France on a large scale."

"That's right, but before that, Bismarck will definitely make a strange move in order to make Prussia achieve the greatest result with the least effort, and the trick is to overthrow the French Prime Minister."

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