The German 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armies, positioned at Margate, Dover, and Folkestone, not only successfully repelled the British counterattacks but also inflicted devastating casualties upon the British forces. It is worth noting that they eradicated some of the finest and most elite divisions of the British army. This victory will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the forthcoming battles, as it significantly weakens the British forces' potential to resist.
Furthermore, during the early morning counteroffensive on the 22nd, the Germans successfully seized the British defenses along the coastline, forcing the British to retreat into the city centers for their last stand. Meanwhile, a large number of German reinforcements began landing on British soil, preparing for a larger-scale offensive.
At Calais, in the German operational headquarters, despite having not rested for the entire night, Field Marshal von Falkenhayn remained sharp and composed. The German forces had not only withstood the British assault but had also launched a successful counteroffensive, significantly expanding their control and fortifying their beachhead. This progress greatly satisfied von Falkenhayn.
The commanders of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Corps arrived at the headquarters, their faces adorned with smiles. Though the previous night's fierce battle had incurred substantial losses, they had managed to hold their ground. Now, it was time for them to launch a major counteroffensive.
"Well done! The men on the frontlines have shown great resilience. Despite the British's relentless counterattacks, we have held fast. The balance of this war is now tipping in our favor!" declared Field Marshal von Falkenhayn.
"Indeed, Your Excellency. We have successfully established a foothold on British soil. The reinforcements continue to land. Once our main forces have completed their disembarkation, we can commence a full-scale offensive. With the strength of our army, defeating the British should not pose a significant challenge," General Crook responded optimistically.
"Your Excellency, although the British still command a large force, it is evident that they have deployed their elite units in last night's assault. Even their finest troops were no match for us. How could the hastily assembled rabble they now rely on stand a chance? It is virtually impossible," General Bilow added.
"Indeed, that is true! We must expedite the unloading of our main forces. Once they are fully deployed, we can unleash our offensive!" Field Marshal von Falkenhayn ordered.
"Your Excellency, the unloading of our main forces is currently hindered. Particularly, heavy equipment like artillery, tanks, and armored vehicles are facing considerable delays. The lack of specialized docks is severely limiting the speed of our operations," General Haussen reported.
"Those docks were destroyed by the British before the conflict began. Utilizing them is no longer feasible. We must have the engineers construct temporary docks and arrange for specialized equipment to be sent from home. We must accelerate the unloading process. I will personally liaise with the logistics department to resolve this issue swiftly," Field Marshal von Falkenhayn instructed.
"Yes, Your Excellency!" the generals responded in unison.
At Canterbury, the headquarters of the British Southeast Front, General Hamilton, Commander of the British Army's Home Forces and the Southeast Front, was visibly agitated, his face dark with frustration. The previous night's assault had ended in disaster, and the German counteroffensive this morning had further devastated the British forces. Now, several of the British army's main corps had retreated to the city centers to make a stand. For the British, this was a catastrophic blow.
"General, the 1st Army has suffered heavily. The four main infantry divisions that participated in last night's attack sustained significant losses. Morale has taken a severe hit, especially with the 6th Army, many of whose fresh recruits have been utterly demoralized by the Germans," General Hagg reported.
"The 2nd Army fared similarly. Four infantry divisions have been shattered, with casualties exceeding thirty thousand. The remaining forces have withdrawn to Dover. However, the German naval guns and aircraft are relentlessly bombarding Dover. The defensive works we've constructed within the city are being destroyed by their artillery and air raids, and casualties are mounting. If this continues, we may not even need to wait for the German assault; our forces will collapse on their own," General Benson added.
"The 3rd Corps has also suffered considerable losses. If the Germans concentrate their main forces for an attack, we will be hard-pressed to withstand their onslaught!" General Gough added.
General Hamilton's expression grew even darker. He knew that the situation was dire for the British. One wrong move, and they would face utter defeat in the Southeast Front. This was the last line of defense, where the British army's finest units were positioned. If they couldn't hold here, how could they hope to win the war against the Germans?
"General, the Germans are relentlessly bombarding and strafing our positions with their naval guns and aircraft. Our front-line forces are suffering catastrophic losses. Can we consider alternative strategies?" General Hagg inquired.
"Gentlemen, I believe we should consider withdrawing from Margate, Dover, and Folkestone, and retreating to Canterbury. This location is further inland, beyond the reach of their naval artillery. We would no longer have to fear their bombardments. If the German air forces remain a threat, we can deploy our own air force to counter them. By concentrating our main forces here, we would have enough strength to engage the Germans in a decisive battle. If we prevail, we may be able to withstand their attacks and force them to pay a heavy price, ultimately compelling them to abandon their offensive," General Hamilton proposed.
Generals Hagg, Benson, and Gough frowned deeply. They understood that General Hamilton's plan meant abandoning the coastal positions and retreating inland to minimize the German artillery advantage, while gathering their forces for a large-scale confrontation. The outcome of this battle would determine the course of the war.
If the British could secure a victory in such a battle, the situation would shift in their favor. However, a defeat would likely lead to the complete collapse of the Southeast Front.