Napoleon's entire corps commenced their march toward London as per the established plan. The First, Second, and Third Corps were directed to proceed towards the Royal Tunbridge Wells. Meanwhile, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Corps were assigned to seize control of Maidstone, and the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Cavalry Reserve Corps were tasked with capturing Rochester.
For communication between the corps, the employment of spark gap radio technology, a wireless means of communication, was put into practice. They would occasionally transmit their location and distance to their targets.
Napoleon was in the third group, which was composed of the Seventh, Eight, Ninth, and Cavalry Reserve Corps. As to why he was not leading any corps is simple, he is the commander-in-chief, meaning that his role was to oversee and coordinate the entire operation rather than lead a specific corps.
The radio crackled to life as messages began to transmit. Reports of progress, weather conditions, and tactical updates flowed in a continuous stream of information. The spark gap radio technology had proven invaluable, allowing Napoleon to stay informed about the movements of each corps, despite the distance that separated them.
Three hours later, a young soldier ran towards Napoleon, who was mounted on the horse.
"Your Excellency," said the young soldier that captured Napoleon's attention.
"A decoded message from the VI Corps."
The young soldier handed a small note to Napoleon, who quickly scanned its contents. The note revealed that the Fifth Corps had spotted a British column in Maidstone, indicating the presence of enemy forces in the region they were assigned to secure. A furrow formed on Napoleon's brow as he processed this information. The situation was becoming more intricate than anticipated.
Just as he pondered the implications of this report, another soldier approached, this time from the First Corps. The soldier handed him a telegraph, freshly transmitted by the First Corps' communication unit. The message detailed the presence of a British column in the Royal Tunbridge Wells—the very area where the First, Second, and Third Corps were advancing. Napoleon's concern deepened, realizing that the enemy was proving to be strategically agile.
Before he could fully absorb the implications of this new development, the sound of galloping hooves reached his ears. General Murat, mounted on his horse and flanked by his officers, rode up to Napoleon's side.
"Your Excellency," Murat announced with urgency. "Our scouts have spotted a British Column in the vicinity of Rochester."
Napoleon's gaze shifted from the telegraph to Murat, then to the landscape before him.
"Standard tactic I see, they want to cover all main roads leading to London," he mused. "The British aren't going to give up their capital easily. Well, not that it matters as we have superior numbers. Transmit my orders to all Commanders of the Corps, advance with caution but maintain the momentum."
With that, all French Corps advanced to their target cities, and soon after, all French Corps were engaging the British defenders.
Regiments advanced, artillery roared, and cavalry charged.
The spark gap radios continued to transmit updates, their crackling messages weaving a thread of communication that connected each corner of the battlefield. The commanders of each corps made split-second decisions based on the incoming intelligence, adjusting their formations and maneuvers constantly.
Napoleon, seated in a makeshift tent and studying the map, strategized the battle in his mind like a chess master. His thoughts painted a vivid picture of the intricate interplay of forces unfolding across the battlefield.
The Middle Corps group, which is composed of the Four, Fifth, and Sixth Corps easily overwhelmed the British defenders at Maidstone with their repeating bolt-action rifles, and mortars, causing a wide rout amongst the enemy ranks.
The Middle Corps group captured Maidstone with ease and was now requesting instruction from Napoleon.
Napoleon analyzed the situation of his forces and he found out that their Western Corps, which was composed of First, Second, and Third Corps was having trouble pushing the enemy out.
"Transmit my orders to the First, Second, and Third Corps. They are to maintain their attack. As for the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Corps, they are to move swiftly to support the Western Corps," Napoleon commanded and the spark gap operators immediately relayed his instructions to the respective commanders.
And with that, the Middle Corps Group began their march towards the Western Corps.
It was only a matter of time before the British troops in Royal Tunbridge Wells fell before his forces as the Middle Corps Group was about to flank them.
As the Middle Corps closed in on the Western Corps' position, their synchronized movements became apparent, creating a pincer movement that would encircle and overwhelm the British defenders.
The British defenders on the Royal Tunbridge Wells, who found their communication and supply line cut off, were now trapped in a precarious situation. The encirclement tightened, and their options grew increasingly limited. Cut off from reinforcements and surrounded by the advancing French forces, they faced a daunting challenge to hold their ground.
As the French enveloping movement neared completion, the tension on the battlefield escalated. The British defenders, aware of the impending encirclement, fought valiantly instead of surrendering.
The French commanders of each Corps were stunned at the British display of courage, earning respect from respective commanders. Even Napoleon was impressed by it when he received a message about it.
Unfortunately for the British defenders at Royal Tunbridge Wells, their courage wouldn't get them so far as defeating the French Forces. After all, the British were outnumbered and outgunned. The situation applied to all British forces in three cities.
The Royal Tunbridge Wells fell to twenty minutes after the Middle Corps Group
closed in on their position. Two cities fell, one to go.
Napoleon had an option where he could redirect his Western and Middle Corps Group to support the Eastern Corps Group and perform the same maneuver. He found that option unnecessary as the British forces of Rochester were small and that the Eastern Corps Group could handle it.
Instead, he ordered the Western and Middle Corps Group to stay in their captured cities and wait for further instruction.
Napoleon checked his pocket watch, the time was 3:30 in the afternoon.
"Why is it that Rochester is taking so long to fall?" Napoleon muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the map before him. The delay in capturing Rochester was perplexing considering the fact that the Eastern Corps Group had the largest forces.
He ordered his aides to provide updates on the progress at Rochester, wanting to understand the situation on the ground more clearly. Moments later, a messenger arrived with a report.
"Your Excellency, the city of Rochester has fallen."
"Good!" Napoleon clapped his hand after hearing the report. He anticipated the first phase of the campaign to be easy. Now, it's time to send a message to the King of Great Britain and Ireland.
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