On the Frontline of the Marne River, the fierce battle rages on. The main forces of the German Second, Third, and Fourth Armies have crossed the Marne River and launched an assault on the deep positions of the Anglo-French coalition.
Despite the resolute resistance of the Anglo-French forces, they are suffering catastrophic losses under the relentless bombardment from German artillery and aerial assaults. The German offensive has led to the successive loss of several defensive lines.
At present, the main body of the Anglo-French coalition has consolidated around the cities of Châlons-en-Champagne, Épernay, and Château-Thierry, striving to repel the German invasion. The remaining troops have retreated to the rear. Faced with the fierce German onslaught, the coalition is on the verge of collapse.
Châlons-en-Champagne, a major city on the Marne, is under intense assault. Bolstered by a formidable array of artillery and air support, the German Second Army is close to reducing the city to ruins. The French Second Army has been severely battered, reduced to defending the crumbling remnants of the city. With the ferocity of the German attacks escalating, it is only a matter of time before they are completely driven out of Châlons-en-Champagne. Meanwhile, the German Third and Fourth Armies are making steady progress in Épernay and Château-Thierry, inflicting heavy losses on the French Fourth Army and the British Expeditionary Force's Second Army. Even the reinforcements of the French Eighth and Ninth Armies are suffering significant casualties.
By April 8th, both sides have been locked in fierce combat along the Marne River for a week. During this period, the Anglo-French coalition has incurred losses exceeding half a million men. Were it not for Marshal Joffre personally overseeing operations, the troops would likely have crumbled under the pressure.
Of course, although the Germans have achieved significant victories, their own losses have not been insignificant. The main forces—the Second, Third, and Fourth Armies—have all sustained varying degrees of casualties, totaling nearly one hundred thousand. Yet, in comparison to the losses suffered by the Anglo-French coalition, the German losses are relatively modest, allowing their soldiers to maintain a high morale, unlike the coalition which is nearing collapse.
Moreover, the German Fifth Army, held in reserve, has yet to be deployed. Once these two hundred thousand troops enter the fray, it will undoubtedly alter the course of the battle. Qin Tian has refrained from deploying the reserves immediately, awaiting a more opportune moment.
In the command office of the Anglo-French coalition, Marshal Joffre is furrowed with concern. The coalition's losses are so grievous that they are on the brink of being unable to sustain their efforts.
"Damn it, how can the Germans be so powerful? If this continues, we won't be able to hold out much longer," he lamented, as he watched the daily toll of tens of thousands of casualties. These are young French men, the future of France, yet they are losing their lives in this cursed war.
Initially, before the battle commenced, Joffre had optimistically believed they could withstand the German onslaught on the Marne River. With a stroke of luck, they might even inflict a heavy blow to the Germans and mount a counteroffensive.
However, once the fighting began, the Germans unleashed a punishing barrage that left the Anglo-French coalition reeling. Their formidable assaults have rendered the coalition exhausted. It is clear that even though they are clinging to hope, their endurance is waning.
"Your Excellency, the Second Army has suffered significant losses. If reinforcements are not dispatched soon, they may not be able to hold out. Should Châlons-en-Champagne fall, the entire Marne River defensive line will collapse," warned General Foch, the commander of the French Ninth Army, his expression grave.
Joffre nodded, "I understand, but do we have any surplus troops at our disposal? The Second Army, the Fourth Army, and the British Expeditionary Force's First Army are all under fierce attack from the Germans. The Sixth, Eighth, and Ninth Armies are also suffering severe losses in their counterattacks. We must defend critical points along our lines to prevent the Germans from further tearing them apart. To date, we have lost over five hundred thousand men. We no longer possess any numerical advantage over the Germans, and we are far outmatched in terms of equipment and morale, placing us in an even more precarious position."
Foch nodded, acknowledging the formidable challenges they face. However, they could not afford inaction; such complacency would only hasten their defeat.
"Your Excellency, we might consider reallocating troops from elsewhere. Is there not a British Expeditionary Force corps and a French corps stationed in Paris? If we could summon them, we could stabilize the front once more, and perhaps have enough strength to launch a counteroffensive," suggested Foch.
Joffre shook his head, "The troops in Paris cannot be moved; otherwise, the defenses there will become dangerously vulnerable."
"Marshal, there are still three corps to the northwest of Paris. With their presence, the city should be secure," Foch argued.
"This message comes from Sir French. The German First and Eighth Armies have also commenced their attacks. The Expeditionary Force's First Army has been pressed back to Rouen. Sir French has dispatched part of the Expeditionary Force's Third Army and the French First Army to assist. However, I fear the situation remains bleak. Should Sir French fail, Paris will face direct threat from the Germans. Thus, we cannot afford to withdraw troops from Paris at this juncture; we must be prepared for any eventuality," Joffre stated.
Despite the fact that before the conflict began, the Anglo-French coalition boasted over three million troops, Joffre now felt painfully outnumbered and ill-equipped. Even though their numbers surpassed those of the Germans, the sad reality is that, in an equal footing, they cannot match the Germans. They must gather more forces to counter the German might. With their troops suffering severe losses and reinforcements not arriving in time, their numbers continue to dwindle, rendering them increasingly inadequate.
Even with every strategy at his disposal, Marshal Joffre feels powerless against the current complex situation.