“There it is…” Muttered Georgios, looking upon the fortress the guarded the city of the Bologna. “It looks to be heavily fortified. I’m glad that I waited for the cannon to arrive, this would be extremely difficult without them.” He said with a slight sigh. “Have the cannon moved to the front of the army.” He said in a commanding voice to his gallopers.
The men quickly rode off to transmit their general’s commands, as he continued to look onwards at the fortress. Though Georgios was confident in their victory, he couldn’t help feeling that something was amiss.
The fortress was obviously heavily defended, but it was so much so, that it left hardly any possibility for a counterattack. It was not like Francois to create such a weakness. The counterattack was one of his favorite military tactics.
“What could he be thinking…?” Georgios muttered to himself. But his thoughts were cut off as one of the gallopers rode up to him, alerting him that the positioning of the cannon had been completed. Georgios quickly scanned the area, noting the artillery’s location. “Excellent. Order artillery groups A and B to concentrated on the North-Western star-point of the fortress. Artillery groups C and D shall fire upon the South-Eastern point. Artillery groups E and F shall remain dormant for now. Dismissed.” The galloper saluted and quickly rode off to carry his orders to the appropriate officers.
Within minutes, the first shots from the large cannon had been fired, and the impact they made against the walls of the fortress were soon obvious. These cannon were not just any normal artillery. These were cannon built by Urban for Emperor Konstantinos XI Dragases which he used to subdue the Turks in Anatolia 250 years ago.
Despite their age, they had been well maintained and kept, and their size and power still by far outclassed even modern cannon. The specially made, more reliable, large modern round shot that had been placed within them made them even more deadly than they were in the past.
As the powerful artillery tore into the star-shaped fortress protecting Bologna, the walls quickly began to crumble. While the original cannon that Urban made was over 26 feet in length, he later designed the still impressive but more manageable 11 foot cannons that they used now. While still suffering from some of the inaccuracy of his earlier works, they could easily strike large immobile targets such as a wall.
Being constantly paid by the Emperor for his continued services, he steadily worked on and improved his designs over the years. However, he trained no apprentices, so when he died, no one was able to continue to produce the cannon.
The cannon had remained in and around Constantinople since then, as a defense should the city ever be threatened, and as a historical reminder of “Superior Roman Engineering”. Although Urban himself was Hungarian. They now once again proved the mans genius, and despite his sometimes questionable loyalties to the Empire, Georgios could not help but look on in awe of the man’s brilliance.
“The walls appear to be on the verge of crumbling, General Curcuas. Shall I have the first wave of infantry began its advance?” His thoughts were interrupted by his Center Commander Adrianos. “Yes, proceed.” Georgios quickly replied, hiding his surprise.
The cannon continued to bombard the fortress as the Imperial Army made its advance. The fortresses own canon had mostly been destroyed by the Roman bombardment in the specific areas they were attacking, thus giving them a relatively unopposed advance.
The north-western and south-eastern star points of the fortress had mostly collapsed at this point, taking much of the adjacent wall with it.
Rapidly moving towards this opened section of the wall, the infantry regiments, with their bayonets already equipped, met with a volley of French musket fire. Despite suffering casualties, the Roman regiments returned fire, dealing back their losses to the French.
After these first volleys had been fired, the Imperial army at both points charged upon the French army’s position within the fortress. The French were well entrenched within their fortifications, with manmade inclines of both dirt and rock forcing the Romans to fight their way upwards towards their enemy under constant musket fire.
Casualties were mounting as the Imperial army found the fortresses’ defenders to be capable and determined.
“Tell their officers to keep up the pressure just a while longer.” Georgios ordered one of his gallopers who had just reported the heavy casualties they were suffering. He knew the fortresses defenders would be determined and wouldn’t break easily when he looked upon its defenses. However, he had not gone into this battle without a plan.
“Just last a little longer…” He muttered to himself.
The fighting continued within the fortifications, as the French continued to bring reinforcements from the other sections of the fortress to strengthen the defenses at the two breaches. Though the Imperial Army had successfully taken several inclines, they had been at a high cost. The French defenders remained determined and unbroken, not wishing to see the fight return to their native soil.
As these reinforcements arrived, the Roman assault found itself ground to a stalemate, and simply holding their ground inside the fortress became a desperate fight for survival. Greek and Italian casualties were quickly mounting, as the morale of the Imperial Army was being shaken to its core.
Another galloper quickly rode to Georgios’ side, prompting him to turn his steed to greet him. “Sir, Center Commander Adrianos reports that he will not be able to hold his position for long at this rate. The French have begun to push his forces out.” He said in an urgent tone.
“Very well. The time has come for the second stage of my plan.” Georgios said, with a hint of confidence in his voice. “Have artillery groups E and F fire on the South-Western point. And have the 17th, 11th, 27th, 21st and 19th regiments there move forward under the fire.” Georgios stated calmly.
“Under the fire? But sir, that would mean they would be vulnerable to being hit by our own cannon. These old cannon do not have the best accuracy.” He stated.
“You have your orders, I expect them to be carried out.” Georgios replied sternly, as the galloper quickly snapped to attention and rode off to transmit the orders.
Sometimes a touch of ruthlessness was required to achieve victory, and this was such a time. While their own soldiers might suffer some casualties from their cannon, this flanking maneuver shall catch the French defenders completely off guard.
Georgios calmly watched the soldiers march towards the fortress as the cannon began firing at their target. The South-Western point quickly began to crumble as well, but not long after the shots had began, one of the cannonballs struck near the advancing 21st regiment. Georgios could some of the men fall in the distance from the debris and the shock of the impact, but his confidence in his plan did not waver.
Despite suffering casualties in their advance, the three Roman divisions resiliently pressed on towards the breach that was forming.
The elite 19th, which had gained prominence under the personal leadership of the man they now called General, lead the charge. As the wall crumbled before them, dust and dirt were kicked up on all sides, obscuring their vision.
Falling stone slabs from the wall crushed any soldier unlucky enough to be under them as the men of the 19th pressed forward under the carnage. With so many reinforcements being diverted to defending the North-West and South-East, the French garrison that remained at the South-West point was completely outmatched by their numerically superior foe.
After entering the breach, the five regiments quickly pushed their way towards the rear flanks of the main garrison which was still busy fighting the struggling Roman Army in the North-West and South-East.
Assaulting the flank of the South-Eastern portion of the garrison first, the French garrison quickly found the tide of battle turned against it. Suddenly and unexpectedly caught between two hostile armies, one of which was attacking behind their fortifications, the morale of their army began to crumble.
Within minutes, the French army began to turn and rout towards the center of the fortress, unable to stand against the attack on their rear flank, which nullified all of their defensive fortifications. After this section of the outer wall’s defenses fell, the North-West was soon to follow.
After the collapse of resistance in both sections of the outer fortress, the Imperial Army regrouped for the final push into the inner fortress. Success seemed assured at this point, as the French garrison was forced to retreat to the center in a disorganized mess of screaming men, fearful for their lives.
Inside the fortress, the commander of the garrison desperately though over his possible options.
Mikhael Lecapenus paced furiously in the very center of the fort, as men frantically ran back and forth, bringing supplies to defenders at the walls of the inner-fortress.
“How?!” He barked to himself, “How could my brilliant defensive strategy fail? Was I really bested by that fool Alexandros?! I can not believe it!” He cursed.
Gunfire and screaming could be heard in the distance as he continued to pace. Sighing slightly to calm himself down, Mikhael struggled to gather his thoughts,
“Regardless…I can not see a victory emerging for me here. We are surrounded, so there is no escape either.” He muttered under his breath. “The only option is to surrender. Yes, I must not forget that I am a part of the great Lecapenus Family, they will have to show mercy to me. I can simply have my family pay a large sum of money to the Emperor in exchange for having my charges cleared.”
With his safety assured in his mind, Mikhael gave the order for the white flag to be raised from the highest tower, and for his army to lay down their arms and surrender to the Romans. From the center of the inner-fortress droves of French soldiers marched out with their hands above their heads. Among them was Mikhael, who dressed in his officers uniform, asked to be taken to their General.
Taken to Georgios on horseback under the escort of several Imperial Hussars, Mikhael was surprised to not see Alexandros. Though he actually felt relieved that he would not have to see the man gloat over him.
As the two men looked upon each other, Mikhael smiled and gave a slight bow to Georgios, “Ah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I am Count Mikhael Lecapenus III, former Count of Malta in the Roman Empire. A pleasure to meet you.” He said in a courteous tone. Georgios blinked briefly at the man in surprise,
“Count of Malta? Why then were you fighting with the French if you are a Roman Dynatoi?” He questioned rather sternly.
“Ah…” Mikhael gaped in hesitation, “Well, through a series of unfortunate events, I ended up being forced to lend my services to the French King. I assure you, however, that my true loyalties have always been with the Emperor in Constantinople.” He stated bowing again.
“Well, regardless of what my personal feelings are, you are now a prisoner, and as a nobleman you shall be sent to Constantinople for holding until your fate can be decided. You will not be ransomed as you are originally from the Empire.” Georgios stated, as his men moved forward to carry Mikhael away, where he would board a prisoner wagon to Ancona, before being sent by ship to Constantinople.
Georgios, though he maintained his calm exterior throughout their meeting, was deeply enraged by Mikhael’s betrayal. How sickening it was to him that one of their own noblemen would betray the Empire so readily. He secretly preyed that he would be dealt swift justice when he arrived in Constantinople.
Nevertheless, a victory was a victory, and the city of Bologna was now secured. Italy was slowly being retaken and the French were on the run. Georgios knew that Alexandros would be happy with the victory, as would the Emperor.
“You know…” Georgios said quietly to one of his gallopers, “Sometimes, I wonder if people 100 years from now, will look back on us with admiration, or perhaps disdain.” The galloper looked at the General oddly, not expecting such a personal or philosophical question from the man.
“I…don’t know sir. One can only hope…that they’ll look at us with admiration I mean.” He said, as Georgios chuckled slightly.
“Yes, yes I suppose that is all we can do.” He said, looking out over the battle that had just been fought.
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The Battle of Bologna ended on May 11th, 1708. French casualties were some 7,000 men total, while Roman casualties were roughly 4,500 men. The victory proved that France’s hold on Northern Italy was not as strong as they wished the people there to believe, and rebellions soon followed in the northern Italian provinces, lead by Italian Nobility, now sure of a Roman victory in Italy, wishing to prove their ‘loyalty’ to Constantinople.
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Hey guys, great news. I've finally got lots of free time to write now with Spring Break and all, so I'll try and churn quite a few good updates out for you all in the next few days.
