Creil, Headquarters of the British Expeditionary Force. Within the office of Sir French, several commanders of the Allied forces furrowed their brows as they surveyed the military map. The map indicated that over fifty thousand troops from the German First and Eighth Armies had commenced their assault. Undoubtedly, this posed a tremendous challenge for them.
"Gentlemen, the Germans have launched their offensive. Their vanguard has departed from Amiens and is advancing southward. We anticipate contact with our forces by tomorrow morning at the latest," Sir French remarked.
"Your Excellency, the Germans are also launching a massive attack along the Marne. Marshal Joffre is under considerable pressure. Clearly, the Germans are preparing to mount a full-scale offensive to decisively defeat us," General Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force's First Army, stated.
"Indeed! For the Germans, a victory over the Allies would enable them to proclaim ultimate triumph. We find ourselves utterly powerless against them," sighed General Benson, Commander of the Third Army.
For these commanders of the British Expeditionary Force, the devastating defeat of the Royal Navy weighed heavily on their minds. Although the Navy held a significantly higher status than the Army within Britain, receiving the lion's share of annual military funding, the Navy's misfortunes also served as a source of vindication for the beleaguered Army commanders.
However, the Navy's catastrophic failure had thrust the British Empire perilously close to defeat. Should the Empire falter in this war, the consequences would be dire. The once-great British Empire would plunge from its position of global supremacy to that of an ordinary nation—a fate these commanders could scarcely contemplate.
Thus, the commanders of the Expeditionary Force hoped to vanquish the Germans through their own strength. By achieving this, they could become the saviors of the British Empire, significantly elevating the Army's status at home, and perhaps even earning the prestigious title of the Royal Army.
Nevertheless, the German forces were formidable. The previous year's conflict had resulted in substantial losses for them, and it had taken the utmost exertion from the Allied forces to withstand the German onslaught. In the subsequent six months, while the strength of the Allies had grown, the Germans had also undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging even more powerful. This was undoubtedly unfavorable news for the Allies.
"Your Excellency, I have learned that the Germans have significantly enhanced their combat effectiveness since six months ago. The forces attacking along the Marne are displaying formidable capabilities, equipped not only with a plethora of artillery and machine guns but also demonstrating heightened fighting spirit. Thus, this battle will likely prove challenging," General de Spérer, Commander of the French First Army, expressed with concern.
His words plunged the office into a somber silence. All present understood that this would be a formidable test for the Allied forces. Should they fail, France would be the first to suffer, but Britain would not escape unscathed either. The fates of the two nations were inexorably intertwined; if one fell, so too would the other.
"Regardless, for the sake of the British Empire and the French Republic, we must exert every effort to defeat the Germans. Otherwise, both our nations will face annihilation," Sir French declared.
Generals Haig, Benson, and de Spérer nodded in agreement.
If given the choice, they would certainly prefer to avoid conflict with the Germans. However, the outbreak of war was not theirs to decide. Once initiated, their only option was to strive for victory.
"First, we must ascertain the Germans' intentions and identify their primary focus of attack, as this is crucial. It will enable us to allocate our strongest forces to intercept them. Secondly, we require additional troops. I have already telegraphed Marshal Joffre, requesting the mobilization of the Fourth Army. If feasible, the Tenth Army stationed in Paris could also be deployed to the front lines. To safeguard Paris, nothing is more effective than defeating the Germans," Sir French stated.
"Your Excellency, I believe the Germans will concentrate their assault on Paris. There is no objective more vital than that. Have they not long sought to force us out of the war? They likely believe that capturing Paris will achieve their goal," General de Spérer remarked.
Sir French nodded in acknowledgment; Paris indeed represented the prime target. From the outset of this conflict, it had been the Germans' objective. Although they had failed previously, whether they would succeed this time remained uncertain. At the very least, the current situation was decidedly unfavorable for the Allies.
"There are numerous routes from Amiens to Paris. However, if the Germans wish to save time, a direct attack would be most efficient. This is what we hope for. Over the past six months, we have constructed extensive defensive works north of Paris. Should the Germans launch an assault, these fortifications will prove invaluable," General Haig stated.
Sir French frowned. The Allies' fortifications north of Paris were not likely to go unnoticed by the Germans. Would they choose to act according to the Allies' expectations? This was difficult to predict.
"Order the frontline troops to remain vigilant. Should the Germans commence their assault, they must report immediately," Sir French instructed.
In the absence of clarity regarding the Germans' direction of attack, such measures were the only recourse.
"Understood, Your Excellency," the commanders replied.
"Additionally, prepare our main forces. Once we ascertain the Germans' point of attack, we must mobilize immediately. This time, we must successfully repel the German advance. Once we have eliminated their viable forces, we can launch a counteroffensive to decisively defeat them," Sir French proclaimed.
Sir French was equally determined to lead the British Expeditionary Force to victory over the Germans. Although the disparity in strength between the two sides was significant, he believed that the combined might of the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army would suffice for a decisive confrontation. If fortune favored them, defeating the Germans was not beyond the realm of possibility.
To vanquish the Germans and rescue the British Empire, they must achieve victory on the French battlefield. This was their sole hope for winning the war.