Creil, British Expeditionary Force Headquarters. The atmosphere within the command center had grown exceedingly tense. The First Army of the British Expeditionary Force was enduring a fierce assault in Rouen, suffering significant losses. The Third Army and a portion of the French First Army had fallen into a trap laid by the Germans, their situation dire. It was evident that the current circumstances were extremely unfavorable for the British Expeditionary Force; any misstep could lead to devastating repercussions.
"What are we to do? What action can we take? The First Army can no longer hold out in Rouen, and the Third Army alongside the French has become ensnared in the Germans' grip. If they are annihilated, how can we continue this fight?" Sir John French, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, fretted almost to the point of tearing his hair out.
However, this anxiety did little to alleviate their dire predicament.
"My lord, we must urgently mobilize forces to reinforce General Benson; otherwise, they will be overrun by the Germans. If they are defeated, it will be exceedingly difficult for us to turn the tide," suggested General Désperé, commander of the French First Army. His own forces had already committed half of their troops to assist the Third Army, now trapped within the German encirclement.
"Reinforce General Benson? Where would we find the additional troops to support them? Your First Army has only one hundred thousand men remaining. Unless we withdraw units from Paris, which would take too long," Sir French replied.
While the Anglo-French forces still had two corps stationed in Paris, mobilizing them to aid General Benson would consume valuable time. Whether Benson could hold out until reinforcements arrived was highly uncertain. Moreover, the Eastern Front was also faring poorly. If they were to strip Paris of its defenses, what would become of the city's security?
"My lord, we cannot stand idly by and watch three hundred thousand soldiers fall to the Germans!" General Désperé pressed. Clearly, they were on the brink of a significant defeat, one that the Anglo-French forces could scarcely endure.
"General, I will send a telegram to General Benson, urging him to hold his position. Additionally, I will notify your government, requesting permission to deploy the Fourth Army and the Tenth French Army for our assistance," Sir French declared.
As General Désperé had pointed out, they could not simply watch as General Benson and three hundred thousand allied soldiers were devoured by the Germans. Even if the likelihood of timely reinforcements was slim, they must strive for action. Should Benson's forces be obliterated, it would deal a crushing blow to the Anglo-French coalition, effectively extinguishing any hope of victory.
"Understood, my lord," General Désperé nodded.
Yet, before they could dispatch the telegram to Paris, another message from General Benson arrived. He reported that they were under heavy attack from the Germans, particularly from their armored units, which had amassed hundreds of tanks to assault their lines. Their defenses had been breached, leading to a total collapse.
The news drained color from Sir French's and General Désperé's faces. They understood that sending troops to rescue General Benson had become a farce, utterly devoid of meaning.
In fact, dispatching reinforcements could very well present an opportunity for the Germans to wipe them out entirely. The fate of the three hundred thousand troops seemed all but sealed; aside from a handful who had been killed and a scant few who might escape, the remainder would likely be captured by the Germans.
Sir French and General Désperé felt no surprise at the prospect of soldiers surrendering. The fighting spirit of the Anglo-French forces had already been waning. Under such desperate conditions, surrendering to the Germans was a natural course of action. They would not blame the soldiers; after all, they had exerted their utmost effort.
"My lord, what are we to do now?" General Désperé inquired, his voice tinged with panic.
As the French commander, the stakes were especially high; if they lost this battle, France would be irrevocably doomed. This outcome would deliver a catastrophic blow to the nation.
"What else can we do? We must fortify Paris. The Germans will likely launch an assault there soon. Our only option now is to consolidate our forces and prepare to defend Paris against the Germans," Sir French sighed.
His experience allowed him to see that the Anglo-French coalition had reached the limits of its endurance. Winning this battle would require a miracle, and miracles were in short supply.
General Désperé nodded, accepting that defending Paris was their only course of action. However, he doubted their ability to withstand a siege against the well-armed Germans, especially after sustaining such grievous losses.
"What of General Haig's forces?" General Désperé asked, considering the substantial number of troops still under Haig's command, which were among the most formidable of the Expeditionary Force.
Sir French shook his head. "General Haig's situation is likely equally dire. They are already under pressure from the Germans. Once the Germans dispatch their attention to Rouen, Haig's forces may not be able to hold out."
General Désperé fell silent.
As expected, an hour later, the British Expeditionary Force headquarters received a telegram from General Haig requesting to withdraw. Although General Désperé felt dissatisfaction regarding Haig's retreat, Sir French nonetheless approved the plan. After all, as the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, he had to prioritize Britain's interests.
By withdrawing westward, Haig's troops could at least find refuge in Britain during these adverse circumstances. This seasoned army would form a vital bulwark to protect the homeland.