EFC Series 4 : Rommel's Napoleonic Adventures

After conquering Italy, Napoleon was taking care of the Cisalpine Republic, which he had made during his campaign in Italy. He was in close touch with political developments in Paris though. During September, he got the reports of the Royalists (supporters of the deposed Monarchy) were gaining influence in the National Assemblies and Military quarters in Paris. Though he cared little for the Directory, Napoleon hated the Royalists much more because the Directory's incompetence were far more preferable than the Monarchy.

Therefore, he sent his colleague - Augereau to drive away all the Royalist supporters. Thus, with this stroke, Napoleon silenced all the Monarchs, especially Pichegru and the more popular Moreau. Once done, he and the directory laid out plans, where they aimed to bring England down before Austria and Russia resumed hostilities. For this, they aimed for a conquest of Egypt, to threaten England's rich commerce with India.

He had long been fascinated by the eastern scene with its apparently limitless opportunities for military glory. “Europe is a molehill,” 4 he exclaimed once to Bourienne, or so that worthy asserted in his memoirs. “We must go to the Orient; all great glory has always been acquired there.” His romantic streak caused him to dream of emulating the conquests of Alexander the Great.

On 1777, France dispatched Baron de Tott to spy on the land around Suez and his findings were useful to mount an invasion of Egypt. Other than gaining an oversea colony for France, the Directory was eager to make up for the loss of their colonies in West Indies, control of Egypt gave them a three way route across Europe, Africa and Asia. It can also help in restablishing contact with Tipu Sultan, ruler of Mysore, (whose communications were cut off with France due to outbreak of hostilites) to drive out the British from India. They hoped that this would force England to conclude a peace favourable to France. Also, they calculated that an invasion of Egypt, though far from France, would be economically more feasible too.

Napoleon's most influential supporter - Talleyrand, the foreign minister of the directory thought that a conquest of Egypt would surely bring back peace in Europe and supported this decision. And on April 12, 1798 the Directory issued the necessary orders. General Bonaparte was instructed to capture Malta and Egypt, ordered to dislodge the English from the Orient, build a canal through the Isthmus of Suez, improve the situation of the local population and to keep on good terms with the Sultan. Egypt was to maintain the annual tribute payment to Constantinople, while Talleyrand himself was to lead a mission to Constantinople to explain the French purposes. Also, a diversionary attack prepared against Ireland to hold English attention.

The newly conquered French colonies were milked to produce money. Admiral Brueys was designated to lead the convoy. The Army of Italy, led by Napoleon was appointed to conquer Egypt. Many highly educated and distinguished civillians of France were scheduled to travel to Egypt to spread the French intentions, all of whim numbered about 500. The expedition had about 38,000 men, along with 60 field and 40 siege guns, rations for 100 days, fresh water for 40 days and 1200 horses.

However, the British Navy was in Lisbon, which can enter the Mediterranean on orders. For this, the directory issued false orders to keep the enemy guessing. However, British spies had reported this event and the British Cabinet ordered the Royal Navy, lead by Rear Admiral Nelson to catch the French. On May 21 however, a severe gale damaged the Royal Navy and by that time, the French slipped out. On June 10th, the French reached Malta - their first destination and conquered the island with little fuss.

The French convoy sailed again in June 19th, leaving behind 4000 men to guard Malta. They again had a close brushing with the Royal Navy. On 17th June, Nelson learnt of the attack on Malta. Nelson thought that the French was 6 days away (whereas it was 3 days only). He at once set sail for Alexandria (Egypt) and arrived on 29th June to find no trace of the French whereas they successfully landed on 3rd July. One notably close call for the French happened when on the night of 22-23 June, where the two fleets crossed each other, in the cover of the dark. French sailors reportedly heard the bells of alien ships too. Between September 1798 and February the following year, Turkey, Naples, Russia and Austria joined forces with Great Britain and Portugal.

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The campaign went into a horrible, when the Royal Navy caught and destroyed the French navy. The French attacked Alexandria on the morning of July 2. By midday, the city was occupied, with 300 casualties. Next, they proceeded to secure lower Egypt, near the Nile, including Cairo. They had to secure the Nile basin before the flooding season starts. The soldiers had to walk through desert, under harsh conditions and worse, they still had to face the Egyptian armies.

They proposed a plan, where 12,000 Egyptian peasants and 4000 cavalry, led by Murad intercept the incoming force whereas the rest, led by Ibrahim, defended Cairo with about 1,00,000 men. The first contact between the two armies happened at July 10 and the French drove the enemies successfully. Shortly, the French army arrived at the Nile. The joy of the soldiers knew no bounds when they finally saw water, middy though it was.

However, many people died there of over indulgence and many contacted Dysentry after over eating the Watermelons present there. By 21st July, the French reached the outskirts of Cairo, after a brief skirmish, where the French blew up their lead flagship. Murad now, retreated his men to the safety of Embabeh, along with reinforcements, he had around 21,000 men. The men were organized into squares, about 6 ranks deep, where the cavalry and transport were stationed in the middle.

The French inflicted a crushing victory, where Murad's 21,000 were reduced to 3000 (All cavalry), for the loss of 29 men and 260 killed. The main reason for this humiliating defeat for Egyptians was that they have no idea how crucial and important formations of soldiers work. They even carried all their wealth into the battle and the French soldiers started fishing their corpses, which became the most popular sport. Ibrahim Bey surrendered Cairo and fled east. On 24th July, Napoleon entered Egypt. On August 11, however, the French forces attacked Ibrahim again and sent the survivors far into Syria.

The French tried to win over the hearts of the locals, which was successful to some extent. They setup colleges, training centers, hospitals at various places, all over Egypt. They built mills, improved law and order situation, studied on the endemic diseases, built streetlights in Cairo and new irrigation projects cropped up. They even found the famous Rosetta stone, which was the key to the deciphering of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The task of hunting down the Egyptian army was entrusted to Desaix, another key officer. The Arabs were so impressed with him that they called him "The Just Ruler". He defeated Murad's army thrice over the course of the next 6 months, where he had less than 3000 men and 2 cannons. And by May 29, 1799, Egypt was completely under French control, thanks to Desaix, his second in command Davout, who will play a major part later in Europe.

Though Egypt is in firm control, Turkey, Royal Navy, Syria and the remnants of the Egyptian army were planning an attack on Egypt. Napoleon decided that attack is the best form of defense and made plans to attack Syria. The enemy planned to attack with 2 armies, one from Syria and one from the sea, transported by the Royal Navy. Napoleon decided that he would first attack on Syria, going as far as Palestine, ending in the siege of Acre and return back again to beat the other army. Though India was not included in the calculations, Napoleon promised Tipu Sultan direct assistance.

The offensive started in February 6, 1799. Napoleon hoped that his army would cross the Sinai desert in 8 days, however they were surprised to find a garrison at El Arish, having a strength of 2,300 men. The French were surprised to see a garrison in the middle of a desert. It took the French an invaluable 11 days to take the fort and this compromised the campaign entirely. On 23rd, the army went into Syria and Gaza fell without resistance on 25th.

The French were forced to stop at Jaffa, for one week due to the outbreak of plague. The Royal Navy, on the other hand, reinforced the coalition forces by building up the defenses of Acre. Eventually, the siege failed due to the excellent work and reinforcements by the Royal Navy and the men manning the defenses. Napoleon had to withdraw his army back to Egypt and went to France. However, the rest of his 30000 army had to face the harsh conditions of Egypt for 2 more years, until 1801.