After their discussion, Napoleon and Ciela began working. Ciela took charge of overseeing the production of the military uniforms that would soon be worn by the soldiers of the Army of Egypt. She carefully supervised every step of the process, ensuring that each uniform met the highest standards of quality.
During this time, Ciela also made a visit to the water station, which was nearing completion. She inspected the progress, ensuring that everything was on track to provide a reliable and safe water supply for the troops. Additionally, Ciela seized the opportunity to have a discussion with Nicolas Appert, seeking his expertise in the creation of canned foods.
Meanwhile, Napoleon delved into the technical intricacies of their plan, collaborating with esteemed members of the French Academy of Sciences, including the renowned Antoine Lavoisier. Together, they focused their efforts on constructing the Haber-Bosch facility—an essential component for the production of ammonia, a key ingredient in the creation of smokeless powder.
Speaking of smokeless powder, Napoleon was not content with merely upgrading the ammunition. He sought to revolutionize the weapons that will be used by the Army of Egypt. With an eye toward modernization, he introduced a range of new weapons that would provide a significant advantage on the battlefield. Among these innovations were machine guns, mortars, artillery, and grenades.
For the standard rifle, Napoleon chose the 1895 Krag–J?rgensen repeating bolt-action rifle. This selection stemmed from his earlier endeavors, as he had personally overseen its development two years prior, anticipating its potential adoption by the National Convention only to get rejected in the end.
In terms of machine guns, Napoleon opted for the Vickers machine gun. Its reputation for reliability, efficiency, and compatibility with the current technical capabilities of its war factories made it an ideal choice.
When it came to mortars, Napoleon turned to the Stokes mortar, originally of British origin. This weapon, like the Vickers machine gun, had garnered a reputation for its effectiveness in the world war. Its design allowed for high-angle firing, enabling the troops to launch explosive projectiles with precision and devastating impact.
Lastly, for grenades, Napoleon chose the—the Mk 2 grenade. With its standardized design and proven effectiveness, the Mk 2 grenade would be an invaluable tool for close-quarters combat and defensive strategies.
In a span of five months, Napoleon oversaw the production of an impressive arsenal, which included 5,000 1895 Krag–J?rgensen repeating bolt-action rifles accompanied by 8,000,000 cartridges, 100 Vickers machine guns supplied with 3,000,000 bullets, 10 155mm howitzers equipped with 1,000 shells, 20 Stokes mortars complemented by 5,000 shells, and a stockpile of 1,000 Mk.2 grenades.
Now that's low by modern standards, as factories can make 300,000 bullets per day. Napoleon factories on the other hand are still renovating to facilitate the increased demand for those weapons in the future, so in a way, it's already a feat, considering that they are revolutionary weapons with a radical design.
***
May 9th, 1798.
Napoleon arrived in Toulon, the bustling staging point for his grand expedition to Egypt. Stepping off the train, he was accompanied by hundreds of soldiers, now outfitted in the meticulously crafted military uniforms they had designed.
As Napoleon made his way toward the harbor, he couldn't help but be impressed by the sprawling scene before him. The harbor was a hive of activity, teeming with sailors and dockworkers bustling about. They were busy preparing the vast fleet that stood ready to carry the expeditionary force to Egypt.
The fleet itself was an impressive sight to behold, comprising a total of forty ships of the line, fifty frigates, and six hundred transports. These transports were specifically tasked with ferrying the soldiers, supplies, and equipment necessary for the mission, forming the logistical backbone of the entire expedition.
As minutes passed, more and more French troops flooded the harbor, each carrying their newly issued standard rifle, the Norwegian Krag–J?rgensen 1895. The rifles, although limited in numbers, had been carefully distributed to those who had passed the rigorous training and selection process.
He stood there for a moment, watching as the cranes hoisted the new 155mm howitzer onto the deck of one of the ships.
"I must say, General Bonaparte, I have no confidence in that artillery," Murat commented, his eyes also watching the scene unfolding before them. "I mean the new rifle that you invented was good but this artillery, I don't know. We haven't tested them yet, or even trained the artillerymen that will man those artillery."
Napoleon sighed, understanding Murat's point. Being an artilleryman himself in the past, he knew the importance of dedicating long hours and days to practice the discipline of aiming and shooting the artillery. However, time was of the essence as the construction of the 155mm artillery took longer. Nevertheless, the lack of testing did not imply ignorance on the part of the artillerymen. Napoleon ensured that he provided them with pamphlets containing theoretical knowledge about the artillery, as well as conducting briefings to familiarize them with their new equipment. That goes the same with the mortar. As for the grenades, the troops learned how to use them quickly.
"We'll test them at the enemy, Murat," Napoleon simply said. "But what about your reaction to the new machine gun I developed?"
"Ah you mean the Bonaparte machine gun? Yeah, that one impressed me the most. If we have that weapon in Italy, I swear the Austrians cavalry will fall before they could even reach our line…" Murat trailed off, realizing something.
Napoleon noticed his silence and turned to look at him. "What?"
"I just realized something, General Bonaparte. You see, that machine gun that I witnessed a week ago spewed hundreds of bullets in a span of seconds, with rounds reaching way beyond the range of a musket. So, if I were to charge at the enemy armed with machine guns, I'd be throwing my life away," Murat expressed with a concerned tone.
"Hmm..." Napoleon hummed in understanding. "I see what you mean, Murat. But don't worry, the enemy doesn't have machine guns; we do. However, you're right about the cavalry's ineffectiveness against machine guns. We will need to develop new tactics to counter that. War is a never-ending process of adaptation and innovation. In history, to counter arrows, they built walls; to counter walls, they built trebuchets; to counter trebuchets, they made their walls higher, and to counter high walls, they invented cannons to breach them," Napoleon explained, drawing upon historical examples to emphasize the continuous evolution of warfare. "Just as our predecessors adapted to new technologies, so shall we."
One hour later, as Napoleon saw that everything was almost complete, a voice called.
"General Bonaparte."
Napoleon instantly recognized the voice; it belonged to Berthier, his Chief-of-Staff. He turned around and saw General Dumas, Menou, and Kleber.
"What is it, Berthier?" Napoleon asked.
Berthier saluted and replied, "Everything is ready, General. The troops are fully equipped, and the supplies and equipment have been loaded onto the ships. We are prepared to embark on the expedition to Egypt."
"Are you sure? Because I'm still seeing plastic containers being carried and loaded into the ships," Napoleon replied.
"Well, it'll be over in minutes," Berthier reassured. "Perhaps you can make a speech to the soldiers before we depart."
Napoleon nodded at Berthier's suggestion so he walked towards the center of the harbor, where there is an erected platform built exclusively for his speech.
When the soldiers saw their General taking his position on the platform, they immediately fell silent and stood at attention.
Napoleon surveyed the sea of faces before him, the young and the experienced, all ready to embark on this audacious expedition.
"Soldiers of the Army of Egypt!" Napoleon's voice boomed across the harbor, capturing the attention of every individual present. "You, the valiant warriors of France, stand before me today as the guardians of our great nation. Your courage has been tested on mountains, plains, and in the heart of cities, and now the time has come for you to take to the seas. Let us draw inspiration from the Roman legions of old, who waged war against Carthage upon these very waters and on the vast plains of Zama.
Soldiers and sailors, I address you today because you have been the unsung heroes, overlooked for far too long. But rest assured, the Republic's utmost concern is now directed towards you. The genius of liberty, which ignited your spirits at its birth, has made you the arbiters of Europe. And now, that same genius yearns to extend its influence across the seas and to the farthest corners of the globe.
You, my brave compatriots, are the embodiment of this noble cause. It is you who will carry our ideals, our values, and our indomitable spirit to distant shores. As we embark on this grand expedition to Egypt, we do so not merely as conquerors, but as ambassadors of progress, enlightenment, and the pursuit of knowledge.
You are not merely soldiers, but torchbearers of the French Revolution. You bear the sacred principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity within your hearts. Let those principles guide your every action, every decision, and every interaction with the people we encounter along our path.
Our journey will be arduous, and we will face adversity, unknown challenges, and formidable foes. But fear not, for we are united in purpose and bound by an unbreakable bond. Our strength lies not solely in the might of our weapons or the skill of our tactics, but in our unwavering unity, unwavering resolve, and unwavering belief in the justness of our cause.
Remember, my brave soldiers, you are the chosen few, handpicked to pave the way for a new era. Your determination, your bravery, and your unwavering commitment will shape the destiny of nations. Let our enemies tremble at the sight of our unity and determination. Together, we shall overcome any obstacle that stands in our way.
Onward, my comrades! The seas await us, and destiny beckons. Together, we shall prevail and bring honor to France!
Vive la République! Vive la France!"
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