The German military drove the British Army back step by step within London. Countless British soldiers had even lost the courage to resist. When the German military attacked, they would fire a few shots at random, then abandon their positions and flee. As a result, large swathes of London rapidly fell into German hands.
On September 21, more than 20 percent of southern London fell into German hands.
On September 22, another 20 percent of the area was captured by the German military.
By September 23, the British Army's operational space had been almost completely squeezed down to the banks of the River Thames.
At this rate, it would not be long before the districts south of the River Thames fell into German hands.
Meanwhile, the German 8th Army Corps had already circled around to the north of London and launched attacks from there. However, given the 8th Army Corps' limited strength, its primary mission was to prevent the British Army from withdrawing northward. Thus, its attacks were not particularly fierce. Yet this was a fatal blow to British morale, because it meant that London had already fallen under German encirclement. The British troops within the city had no other path to survival.
"General Kluck, General Bülow. It seems we will soon occupy the entire southern part of London!" Field Marshal Falkenhayn moved his headquarters further forward, into London's outskirts. Although the battle was still continuing, Field Marshal Falkenhayn had immense confidence in the German military. He believed that London would soon be completely captured.
"Yes, Your Excellency. At most, it will take us two or three days to seize southern London. As for whether we can take all of London by the end of this month, I cannot guarantee it. But we can certainly capture London at the beginning