The sudden outbreak of war caught British Empire on the other side of the strait a little unprepared. Although, British government had already expected that war would be inevitable. However, they still did not expect that the war would come so suddenly.
Of course, for Britain, it is better to start this battle earlier than later. This is especially true when German Navy's strength is growing faster and faster, posing a serious threat to Britain. If Germany cannot be defeated, Hegemonic Status of Britain will be shaken, which will have a very negative impact on the maintenance of Britain's world colonial system.
In order to maintain its hegemony, Britain has always implemented a balance of power policy on the European continent, that is, it does not want a hegemon to emerge on the European continent. Once a country rises, Britain will team up with other countries to besiege it. The last one to be besieged by the British was France, and now it is Germany's turn.
Britain Due to their geographical location, as long as they maintain a strong navy, their homeland can be protected from attack. As for the war on land, leave it to French and Russians. Let them fight to the death with the Germany people on the land battlefield. It's better than letting a large number of Britain young people die on the battlefield!
Germany declared war on Russia and France respectively, but Britain did not declare war on Germany immediately. On the one hand, Britain and France and Russia did not sign a military treaty and were not obliged to immediately go to war. Whether to go to war depends on Britain's interests. On the other hand, the Britain people also wanted to sit back and watch the fight between tigers and tigers. They used Germany to consume the strength of France and Russia, causing them to suffer heavy losses in this war. In this case, Britain will be more convenient to control the post-war world.
Therefore, there are no permanent friends between countries, only eternal interests. In this war, the performance was vivid and vivid. Even if they are allies, everyone is plotting against each other.
However, Britain people's wishful thinking was obviously wrong. Germany's next action disrupted their deployment.
On the afternoon of August 2, British Cabinet held an emergency meeting. There is only one issue, and that is the Kingdom of Belgium notification. After Ultimatum has been sent to them, if they do not allow the Germany* army to pass through, Germany will launch an attack on them. This is absolutely unacceptable to Britain people.
"Damn Germany guys, what do they want to do? Is it possible that they really want to force British Empire into a war?" Prime Minister Asquith was furious.
Once Germany really attacks Kingdom of Belgium, it will be impossible for Britain to continue to sit back and watch the fight between tigers and tigers. According to their commitment, Britain is responsible for the safety of Kingdom of Belgium.
"Prime Minister, Germany people's tactics are really vicious! They launched an attack on the neutral country Kingdom of Belgium, which is equivalent to avoiding the heavily deployed defense line of the French army and the rugged Ardennes area, and directly attacking northern France. According to the information we have, northern France's defense is very empty. It can be said that French did not expect that the Germany people would launch an attack from the north. Once Kingdom of Belgium was defeated, the French defense line would suffer a fatal blow. "Minister of War Richard Haldan sighed.
"French must be notified and let them prepare. Otherwise, once France suffers a heavy blow, it will be difficult for us to contain the Germany people." Foreign Minister Edward Sir Gray also said.
Even if Britain wants to use the hands of Germany people to further weaken France. However, they must not watch France suffer heavy losses. Once France is defeated, it will be dangerous. If they don't do it right, they will lose this war. Britain cannot take such a risk.
"Well, let French prepare in advance!" Prime Minister Asquith said.
"Even if we inform French now, I'm afraid it's too late for them. The Germany people are already ready for war. They only gave Belgians 24 hours to think about it. Several hours have passed now. In other words, in less than 20 hours, the Germany people will launch an attack. And French The preparations for the war have not been completed at all. Their standing armies are mainly deployed on the the East defense line. Even if they immediately mobilize the army to defend the north, or enter the Belgium battle, it will take time. By then, Kingdom of Belgium will have been defeated by the Germany people." Churchill shook his head, looking a little negative.
Prime Minister Asquith's face also looked a little unsightly.
"What if we dispatch Expeditionary Force and land directly at Kingdom of Belgium?" Prime Minister Asquith asked.
Although, Britain's army has very few troops and its combat effectiveness is not very strong. However, for the upcoming war, Britain still decided to send Expeditionary Force to fight European continent. This is what French originally requested.
"The assembly of Prime Minister and Expeditionary Force takes time. In addition, the preparation of war materials also takes time. Therefore, if Expeditionary Force is to be dispatched, it will take at least half a month. This is still Expeditionary Force The reason why has only two corps under its jurisdiction is 4 Infantry Division and 1 cavalry division, with a total of more than 70,000 troops. If there are more troops, more preparation time will be needed," Minister of War Richard Haldan replied.
"God! Can't we do nothing now, can we only watch the Germany people defeat Belgium, and then go south to severely damage France? In that case, we will lose the war!" Prime Minister Asquith was very anxious.
"Prime Minister, now we can only hope that Belgians can hold on for a while longer. At least, their Fortress of Liège is still very strong. I hope God can bless them!" Churchill sighed.
Prime Minister Asquith thought for a while and nodded. There was nothing we could do about it.
"Okay, inform Belgians that we will immediately send troops to help them, and hope they can hold on. In addition, Your Excellency Foreign Minister, warn the Germany people that if they send troops into Kingdom of Belgium, we will participate in the war. I hope we can buy more time!" Prime Minister Asquith said.
"Yes, Prime Minister." Edward? Sir Gray nodded.
On August 3, Kingdom of Belgium officially rejected German military's request to use the road, and at the same time sent troops to Fortress of Liège to prepare to resist the Germany people's attack there.
At the same time, Britain officially warned Germany not to send troops into Kingdom of Belgium.
However, Germany turned a deaf ear to Britain's warning. Then he declared war on Kingdom of Belgium.
August 4th, German military crossed the border and entered Kingdom of Belgium. On that day, Britain officially declared war on Germany!