‘Fine work!’ Napoleon congratulated the general when he reported the news to the Emperor in person, just after midday. The forward headquarters had been established in a small village close to the end of the bridge, and the countryside around was crowded with men, horses, cannon and their limbers and wagons, as the army massed ready to cross.

‘Thank you, sire.’ Bertrand bowed his head. He had not slept for nearly three days and his exhaustion was evident.

‘What of the last stage?’ Berthier asked. ‘The crossing from Lobau island to the far bank?’

‘The pontoons will cross to the island this afternoon, and we’ll bridge the final gap tonight.’

‘Excellent.’ Napoleon smiled warmly. ‘Then by dawn we’ll have our bridgehead. Masséna’s corps will take the villages of Essling and Aspern and then the rest of the army can cross.’

Marshal Lannes leaned forward in his chair and cleared his throat. ‘That’s all very well, sire, but can we be sure that the enemy will not contest our landing on the far bank?’

‘Rest assured, my dear Lannes, the Austrian army is still many days’ march away. The first they’ll know about our crossing the Danube is when the cannon announce our presence. By then, it will be too late to do anything but give battle.’

‘But if the Austrians are closer than you have calculated, then we could be advancing into a trap of our own making. Sire, I urge caution. We are advancing over a fast-flowing river on a single bridge. What if this span broke, or was destroyed? Then the army would be cut in half. The vanguard would be at the mercy of the enemy if they could gather sufficient forces to oppose us. Sire, it is too much of a risk.’

‘The enemy are not strong enough to hamper the river crossing, I assure you. War is the realm of risk, chance and opportunity. In this case it is my judgement that the opportunity outweighs the risk.’ Napoleon’s tone hardened.‘Gentlemen, the orders are given and the army begins to cross the Danube tonight.’

THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

Chapter 3 - Arthur

Chapter 3

Arthur

Abrantes, Portugal, June 1809