Military planners in Paris understand that the…

1798 CE

Military planners in Paris understand that the northern Rhine Valley, the southwestern German territories, and Switzerland are strategically important for the defense of the Republic.

The Swiss passes command access to northern Italy; consequently, the army that holds those passes can move troops to and from northern and southern theaters quickly.

Toward this end, in early November 1798, Jourdan arrives in Hüningen to take command of the French forces there, the so-called Army of Observation because its function is to observe the security of the French border on the Rhine.

Once there, he assesses the quality and disposition of the forces and identifies needed supplies and manpower.

He finds the army woefully inadequate for its assignment.

The Army of the Danube, and its two flanking armies, the Army of Helvetia and the Army of Mayence, or Mainz, are equally short of manpower, supplies, ammunition, and training; most resources are already directed to the Army in Northern Italy, and Army of Britain, and the Egyptian expedition.

Jourdan documents assiduously these shortages, pointing out in lengthy correspondence to the Directory the consequences of an under-manned and under-supplied army; his petitions seeme to have little effect on the Directory, which sends neither significant additional manpower nor supplies.

Jourdan's orders are to take the army into Germany and secure strategic positions, particularly on the southwest roads through Stockach and Schaffhausen, at the westernmost border of Lake Constance.

Similarly, as commander of the Army of Helvetia (Switzerland), André Masséna will acquire strategic positions in Switzerland, in particular the St. Gotthard Pass, the passes above Feldkirch, particularly Maienfeld (St. Luciensteig), and hold the central plateau in and around Zürich and Winterthur.

These positions will prevent the Allies of the Second Coalition from moving troops back and forth between the northern Italian and German theaters, but will allow French access to these strategic passes.

Ultimately, this positioning will allow the French to control all western roads leading to and from Vienna.

Finally, the army of Mayence will sweep through the north, blocking further access to and from Vienna from any of the northern Provinces, or from Britain.

Britain and Austria organize a new coalition against France in 1798, including for the first time the Russian Empire, although no action will occur until 1799 except against the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.