From Eastbourne to Maidstone, the straight-line distance is only thirty kilometers. Even taking a detour to avoid the hills, the distance is merely sixty kilometers. A fully equipped force required two days to cover this distance. However, for the armored divisions advancing swiftly along the roads, sixty kilometers was hardly a challenge.
The German 8th Army Corps, 8th Panzer Division, and two infantry divisions had gathered a large number of trucks, allowing the soldiers to ride and thus significantly reduce the march time.
That very night, the German 8th Panzer Division launched a surprise attack on Crawley, causing the British infantry brigade stationed there to flee in disarray. Subsequently, the 8th Panzer Division and the two infantry divisions pressed on toward Maidstone through the night. By dawn, the 8th Panzer Division had already captured Aylesford, to the northwest of Maidstone. The British 3rd and 8th Armies found themselves encircled by the German 3rd and 8th Army Corps.
The performance of the German 8th Army Corps immediately left the British in stunned disbelief. From the time the 8th Army Corps landed to its lightning-fast engagement in the battle, only a day and a night had passed. Yet, it had cost the British dearly—two entire armies, numbering over 400,000 men, were now trapped.
Maidstone, headquarters of the British 3rd Army Corps. When General Gough, commander of the corps, learned that Aylesford had fallen to the Germans, he was dumbfounded, as if struck by a bolt of lightning.
"My God! The Germans only landed in Eastbourne yesterday, and yet this morning, they've taken Aylesford. Are they flying?" General Gough exclaimed in disbelief.
"Sir, the Germans occupied Crawley last night. It's clear they didn't rest, marching through the night, which enabled them to capture Aylesford this morning," came the response.
"How many Germans are in Aylesford?" General Gough immediately inquired. If the German forces were not too numerous, perhaps Aylesford could still be retaken, allowing for an escape.
"General, there are only about fifty thousand, but they have over two hundred tanks!"
General Gough's face darkened, his expression as grim as the bottom of a pot. Familiar with the German order of battle, he knew that the 8th Panzer Division must be present.
"Damn it, it's over. The Germans' most elite armored forces have already arrived. Retaking Aylesford is nearly impossible!" General Gough muttered, his face filled with despair.
On the French battlefield, he had witnessed the devastating attack by the German 8th Army Corps on the British Expeditionary Force's 5th Army Corps, leaving a deep impression. To his dismay, he now found himself facing the same army in Britain. The mere thought of the 8th Army Corps struck a deep sense of fear in him.
However, General Gough quickly realized that if Aylesford was not retaken, their situation would indeed be dire. Despite the strength of the 8th Army Corps, he had no choice but to steel himself for the battle ahead.
"Immediately organize our forces and launch an assault on Aylesford. We must defeat the Germans and retake it. Otherwise, we're finished! Also, send a telegram to the theater command and the War Ministry—we need reinforcements!" General Gough ordered.
"Yes, General!" came the reply.
When the British 3rd Army Corps launched their attack, they were met with the overwhelming firepower of the German 8th Army Corps. Although the night march had left the troops exhausted, they fought on with grim determination. Moreover, the Army Air Corps launched a massive airstrike in support, and every British assault was met with relentless bombardment.
The British 3rd Army Corps' offensive, leaving a trail of corpses on the ground and suffering immense losses, had no real effect.
Meanwhile, the German 3rd Army Corps also launched a fierce assault on Maidstone. With the British rear now sealed off, General Hausen, commander of the 3rd Army Corps, no longer needed to worry about the British escaping.
Surrounded by the two German corps, the fate of the British 3rd and 8th Army Corps was sealed.
The British 3rd and 8th Army Corps found themselves trapped, plunging the southeast front into even greater peril. The British 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 9th Army Corps were already under heavy pressure from the German 1st and 2nd Army Corps and had suffered severe losses. Now, the 3rd and 8th Corps were on the verge of annihilation. If the Germans advanced toward Canterbury, they were doomed.
"The Germans have clearly committed more than just three corps to the British Isles; the 8th Army Corps has already arrived. We may soon see more corps landing! This war will be incredibly difficult if we are to defeat the Germans!" General Hamilton's despair was palpable.
"Yes, Sir. Seven army corps in the southeast are on the brink of destruction. Even though there are still a few corps in London, they cannot hold against the German onslaught! Once London falls, our main forces will be completely wiped out. After that, we will be powerless to stop the Germans. The whole of Britain will be under German occupation," General Haig's tone was even more grim.
"Damn it! If London had sent reinforcements earlier, we might have been able to retreat to the capital. Now, it's too late," General Hamilton said, his anger evident.
The British 3rd and 8th Army Corps were now preoccupied with their own survival, and the forces gathered at Canterbury, devastated by the German onslaught, had lost all morale. In such circumstances, they were in no position to oppose the Germans.
"Sir, we must break out! Any unit that can make it back to London must do so. It's better than losing everything here," General Benson suggested.
General Hamilton nodded, fully aware that many units would likely surrender to the Germans once the order to break out was given. But with no other options left, he had no choice but to proceed. As General Benson had said, any unit that could escape was worth saving.
Thus, General Hamilton issued the order for the entire army to break out. Hundreds of thousands of British soldiers began their retreat toward London. Although they were intercepted by German forces, the numerical disadvantage of the Germans played a decisive role in this phase of the battle. Many British soldiers managed to exploit gaps in the German lines, escaping the encirclement and making their way back to London.