Chapter 258: The Night Raid
Heinrich successfully persuaded Leopold. In the end, they exchanged ideas and convened a meeting of all unit commanders in the brigade to finalize the operational details. All officers at the company level and above attended the meeting, since time was tight and they needed to return and prepare in advance.
Hechingen had only two infantry regiments and one brigade-level directly affiliated combat battalion, so there were only about two or three dozen officers of company rank or higher. Because of the war, the command post was not set up in a civilian area but in a hastily built half-bunker. Construction time was short, so it was cramped. The Hechingen Brigade's officers crowded into the small space to begin the meeting.
"After discussing with Staff Officer Heinrich," Leopold began, "we've decided to launch a surprise attack tonight against the French units camped in the countryside. Now Heinrich will explain the reasons to you. Personally, I agree with the plan, but if any of you have objections or suggestions, please speak up."
Heinrich then repeated the points he had made to Leopold earlier:
"…In short, I believe this is a golden opportunity that won't last. If we miss tonight, we'll be on the defensive tomorrow."
When Heinrich finished, Leopold said, "All right. Let's hear your thoughts."
The commander of the First Regiment spoke first: "I support an offensive. Under cover of night, we can muddy the waters. This is the Hechingen Brigade's first actual combat. Unlike the drills we've done before, there will be real bloodshed. Darkness may not hide the smell, but it will reduce the visual shock for these cadets."
"I have no objections," said the commander of the Second Regiment, "but let's be fully prepared. As you've noted, this is the brigade's first real battle, so we mustn't be reckless."
They discussed for nearly an hour, hammering out the final plan and assigning tasks to each unit.
"All right," Leopold said, visibly tired. "Head back and get ready. Rally the troops so nobody loses their nerve at the critical moment."
With that, everyone quietly left the command post in an orderly manner.
…
Following the plan from the meeting, the Hechingen Brigade's cooks got to work overtime. Boxes of canned beef and potatoes went into the pots, mixed with onions to simmer in a huge batch.
"Listen up," shouted Lieutenant Otto to the big soldiers in his platoon. "This isn't a drill—if you die, you really die. Your opponents are seasoned French soldiers, so don't drop your guard. When you run into them in the woods, show no mercy!"
He then handed out cigarettes and beer to his men. "If you're scared before we head out, have a smoke or drink one bottle. You won't get another chance once we're on the battlefield."
…
Midnight—12:00 a.m.
It was pitch-black, impossible to see a hand in front of your face. One by one, Hechingen Brigade soldiers slipped through the openings in their fortifications, quietly emerging from the defensive works.
"Stay close and don't get separated. Keep your bodies crouched as we get near their lines. Don't stand around like fence posts before we reach the enemy perimeter," an officer whispered to his men, voice kept low.
Leaving the defenses at Diewillette, they found only rural roads, fields, and canals. Under the cover of darkness, squads slipped through the wheat fields, gradually approaching the edge of the forest.
Soon, they could see the outline of the French positions. Heinrich began observing the enemy closely. Judging from the simple encampment, it was clear the French had marched through the night—there were hardly any trenches, the campsite was disorganized, and the sentries seemed half-asleep.
"Pass the word for everyone to get ready," Heinrich said. "Once you hear the first shot, charge. Fix bayonets and prepare close-combat weapons in advance—there might be no time to reload."
By the time the units finished preparations, it was 12:57 a.m. Heinrich fired the first shot to signal the attack.
Immediately, the two infantry regiments of the Hechingen Brigade surged into the French encampment.
Bang…
"Where's that coming from?" The commander of the 54th Brigade, startled from sleep, sprang up.
"Sir, an unknown force is attacking us!"
"'Unknown force'? Obviously it's the Germans taking advantage of us off guard. Enough talk—quickly form up and counterattack!" Grabbing his pistol and gathering his men, the 54th Brigade commander headed for the front line to organize a counterassault.
But as soon as he left his tent, a bullet whizzed by, wounding the arm of a guard standing near him.
"Sir, the lamplight here is making us a target. We can't stay—it's like being sitting ducks."
Indeed, the brigade commander's tent had an oil lamp lit, making it stand out in the darkness.
"The other lights around the camp are drawing the same fire. We'll be safer in the dark, sir. We have no choice but to tangle with the enemy blindly!"
In such heavy darkness, it was impossible to regroup effectively. The Hechingen Brigade and the French 54th Brigade were soon intermingled in close combat. All around the French camp, sporadic gunshots broke the stillness. Taken by surprise, the French could only fire their Chassepot rifles blindly. Many hadn't even fixed bayonets or readied melee weapons, giving the Hechingen Brigade a prime opportunity.
During the moments when the French paused to reload, the Hechingen soldiers stabbed with bayonets. Blood spilled everywhere, but the gloom concealed the carnage. Tobacco and alcohol had dulled and excited the Hechingen troops' senses, leaving most of them in a state of high adrenaline.
Sensing more and more Germans swarming in—and with more and more French comrades falling—the French soldiers felt the situation was hopeless. Unable to contact their officers, some slipped away into the woods, while others threw down their weapons and surrendered. Thus, the 54th Brigade's will to fight collapsed with alarming speed.
The gunfire drew the attention of Robert's Third Brigade of the Prussian Fifth Corps, stationed east of Diewillette. But by the time they arrived on the battlefield—after the Hechingen Brigade and the French 54th Brigade had finished fighting—the skirmish was effectively over.
The Hechingen Brigade was now securing the area. Casualty numbers remained uncertain, but the French had suffered heavy losses. Those who fled into the forest had little chance of regrouping. Lacking familiarity with the terrain, they were sure to get lost, which proved true. Not long after, various small groups wandered in circles and ended up back at the battlefield, only to surrender to the Hechingen Brigade.
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