"Dammit, how did this battle end up like this?" Richard Haldane's face was twisted with frustration and resentment.
In just five days, the British Army had suffered a devastating defeat on the southern defense line. Over six hundred thousand soldiers, and only a mere ten thousand had made it back to London. Such a loss was simply catastrophic. The defense forces in London had dwindled to just over ninety thousand—far less than a hundred thousand. Meanwhile, the German army had suffered little to no losses in the two major battles and still boasted a force of at least a million men. This meant that, even in the battle for London, the British no longer had the advantage in numbers.
Although over a million British soldiers remained scattered across the Isles, forces in Ireland and Scotland were effectively out of reach. The Irish, having risen against British rule in the wake of Germany's resurgence, had seen many of their soldiers defect to the enemy. The British troops stationed in Ireland were already struggling to maintain control. Similarly, Scottish forces were no better off—historical tensions between the Scots and the English had come to the fore. With Britain's fate hanging by a thread, the Scots now had little reason to remain loyal. The British government's hold on its territories was rapidly crumbling.
The forces deployed in northern England and Wales could not be fully mobilized either. There was always the looming threat that the Germans might land troops there, further increasing the peril to Britain.
Churchill, too, remained silent, his mind grappling with the unfathomable turn the war had taken. The performance of the British forces had been utterly dismal. Under the German onslaught, they had collapsed with little to no resistance. In retrospect, Churchill could only laugh bitterly at his own earlier belief that the British Army could hold back the Germans on home soil.
"Minister of War, it seems London is beyond saving, doesn't it?" Churchill inquired.
"Yes, Prime Minister. The Germans are too powerful—far beyond what we anticipated. And our army's combat capabilities are utterly inadequate. Even if we had constructed numerous defensive fortifications in London, I fear they would be useless against the German assault," Richard Haldane replied.
Though the truth was bitter, Haldane could no longer deny the grim reality.
The elite British forces had already been decimated. Though the Fourth and Fifth Armies in London could still be considered somewhat elite, compared to the Germans, they were little more than fodder. Placing any hope in them was utterly unrealistic.
"How long do you think we can hold London?" Churchill asked.
"At most, half a month. It's even possible we may not last that long. Our troops have lost the will to continue fighting," Haldane said, his disappointment in the army palpable.
A wave of sorrow washed over Churchill. The war had indeed reached its final hour.
"Prime Minister, I now fully understand. Our army is hopelessly outclassed by the Germans. The disparity is not just in weaponry, but in quality, morale, and tactics. The Germans have advanced far beyond us, and in this situation, we have little chance of repelling their attack. Once we are in Canada, we must focus on improving these areas, or we will never defeat the Germans on future battlefields," Haldane said.
Churchill nodded, knowing that without a powerful army, defeating the Germans was nothing more than a fantasy.
"Prime Minister, it is clear now that we cannot hold London. According to our intelligence, a highly skilled German corps is rapidly advancing toward the Thames. I suspect they plan to encircle London from the north. If they succeed, the entire city will fall into their grasp. At that point, escape will be impossible," Haldane warned.
Churchill's brow furrowed. "The Germans are still aiming high. If they annihilate the forces in London, Britain is finished."
"Yes, Prime Minister. Therefore, it is imperative that you and His Majesty leave London immediately for Canada. Otherwise, the situation may change rapidly," Haldane advised.
"Let His Majesty go to Canada. I'll stay behind. I would rather remain in London and fight the Germans to the bitter end when the city falls!" Churchill shook his head.
"Prime Minister, you cannot die here. Canada still needs your leadership. Even if we lose on the home front, there is still a chance for our resurgence. If we can defeat the Germans in future wars, the British Empire may rise again," Haldane urged.
Churchill gave a bitter smile. "After this catastrophic defeat, do I even have the right to continue leading the British Empire? Someone must be held accountable for this disaster."
Indeed, with the capital lost, someone had to answer for the debacle. Churchill, the man who had taken charge in the direst of circumstances, was the natural scapegoat.
"No, Prime Minister, this is not your fault. When you assumed office, the British Empire was already beyond saving. Only you have the strength to restore it," Haldane said, imploring him.
After a long silence, Churchill finally relented and agreed to flee London for Canada.
The following day, Churchill, accompanied by senior cabinet members and members of the royal family—including King George V—secretly departed London. They were to travel to Liverpool, where they would board submarines or destroyers to sail in stages to Canada.
While the British Army could no longer hold back the Germans on home soil, these proud British men and women were determined to continue the fight until they were entirely wiped out.
Richard Haldane, the Minister of War, chose not to join them. Instead, he remained behind to lead the defense of London. Appointing himself as the Commander of London's defenses, he took full command of all military units within the city. Resolute in his determination, Haldane was prepared to fight to the death against the Germans.