Chapter 2068 Gap Two
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However, surrender is not only a military issue, but also a political issue. For example, now that the French have chosen to surrender, are the Germans willing to accept it? If there is too much difference between what the French can give and what the Germans expect, unless the French say that they are unconditionally surrendering, otherwise, the French will definitely have to bite the bullet and fight on in a short time.
"No matter what, this war is coming to an end, and we should leave." Marshal Haig couldn't figure out what the attitude of the French was now, and he didn't know whether there was something tricky between Germany and France, but he knew, If the Germans attack the British Army, then the British Expeditionary Force will definitely not be able to stop it. What if they can't fight in this case? Naturally, he was ready to run away.
From a purely military point of view, running is necessary, and the sooner the better. But the problem is that running away is not a purely military issue, it is also a political issue. If the French did not surrender and the British army prepared to run away, then this matter would also become a big deal, and the distrust and hostility between the two sides would continue Ten or even decades after the war! The Germans won this war, and the confrontation between Britain and Germany will be a long-term process. If the French have a grudge against the British, then Britain will not have a reliable ally in Western Europe. It is undoubtedly disastrous. So, in this dilemma, Marshal Haig didn't know how to choose. At this moment, the phone on the marshal's desk rang.
"I'm Asquith, I have received the telegram you forwarded, Marshal Haig, and now I want to hear your thoughts first." The British Prime Minister asked.
"There is no point in continuing the war. We all underestimated the fighting power of the Germans. They didn't even use much force to defeat the French. Without the help of more than 2 million French troops, we cannot face the Germans. Therefore, my greatest wish now is to bring back as many officers and soldiers as possible of the British Empire alive." Marshal Haig said.
"The French haven't collapsed yet. Although they have suffered heavy losses, they still have at least nearly 2 million troops." Asquith said.
"It's different. This time, Marshal Foch gathered the most elite and tenacious troops in the entire French army. However, the Germans easily defeated the elite that the French had worked so hard to gather. Now the French It is not clear how much control China has over the rest of the army, and perhaps a symbolic attack by the Germans would crush the French," said Field Marshal Haig.
"So, you mean, we lost the war?" After a long silence, the voice from the other side was a little sad.
"We are stronger than the French. If the surrender of the French can only be exchanged for the German army not entering Paris, then we admit defeat now, at least we can guarantee the safety of the homeland." Marshal Haig said. "By the way, I would like to ask, what is the attitude of the French now?"
"As early as two days ago, when the German fast army broke through the French defense line and went deep, our ambassador to France had already held talks with the French president. We implicitly proposed what to do if the situation cannot be saved. , The French answer is to ask the United States for help, and try to ensure that the French-German border does not change." Asquith said.
"This is not good news for us." Marshal Haig said after thinking for a moment. If the French are telling the truth, it means that the French have seriously considered the losses and the bottom line after the defeat! As long as the mainland of Europe remains unchanged, part of the African colonies can be given up. The most important thing is that the French mentioned that they would ask the Americans for help, which means that France must cut off from the British.
In order to prevent Germany from becoming bigger, the United States will consider helping France to mediate. But definitely won't help the British.... And if the Americans helped the French mediate, would the French still be allies with the British? This is unlikely, right?
"Now, it's the last moment, can we consider the issue of troop withdrawal?" After a moment of silence, Haig asked the question he was most concerned about. It's all like this, why are you still here? The so-called allies are all birds of the same fate, when a disaster comes, fly separately! There are more than one million outstanding men from the British Empire in my hands!
"The friendship between France and Germany still needs to be continued. Even if we are not allies, we must maintain a fairly good relationship between the two sides. If we abandon France at this time, then we will push this European power to the Germans and Germany. The Americans. The British Empire does not even have a reliable ally. This has never happened in hundreds of years." After a full minute of silence, Prime Minister Asquith said.
"But the situation on the battlefield is irreversible. We don't know when the German offensive will start. The French are about to succumb. Even in order to gain more chips, the Germans will attack us. We will definitely not be able to stop it. If, as Lord Hamilton said, the Germans and the French reach a tacit agreement, then our situation will be even worse! Your Excellency, we must be responsible for the lives of millions of officers and soldiers of the British Empire!" Marshal Haig said loudly .
"I can understand Lord Hamilton's thoughts. But this is just speculation after all. If we give up the French first, the situation of the British Empire after the war will be very bad." Prime Minister Asquith repeated again.
"Then at least we have to make some preparations. It is not easy for millions of troops and their equipment to withdraw to the mainland. We have to block the possible German attack while gathering troops and boarding ships at the port to evacuate. In the strait of just a few tens of kilometers, we have to face German bombers, submarines and mines, and raise enough civilian ships to transport them. At least for now, we should act and take all the wounded and most of them away. evacuate non-combatants from the battlefield." Marshal Haig has already used the tone of pleading, not for himself, but for the army of the British Empire to fight for a sliver of life!
"I understand your appeal. I will immediately mobilize the fleet to prepare for evacuation, but it will take time. If the French succumb, then the German air force will be free to block the English Channel. Large-scale transport is undoubtedly dangerous, and at night we have to face the German wolves and a large number of mines. There may be destroyers of the High Seas Fleet," Prime Minister Asquith said.
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