After Marshal Joffre finished speaking, the ordinary generals all left the conference room. They needed to return to their units' garrisons as quickly as possible and prepare for the German offensive. No one knew when the Germans would launch their attack. Therefore, the sooner they were ready, the better, lest the German military catch them off guard.
The commanders of several army corps, however, remained behind. They still had urgent military matters to discuss with Marshal Joffre.
After the ordinary generals left, the atmosphere in the conference room became grave as well.
"Gentlemen, what I said just now was merely to bolster everyone's fighting spirit. I hope that, as army corps commanders, you will not take it too seriously. You must understand that our enemy remains extremely powerful. After half a year of preparation, we will face an even greater threat from them. This battle is of vital importance. If we cannot stop the German military's offensive, then everything will be over! The French Republic will be finished, and the British Empire will be finished as well!" Marshal Joffre said with a solemn expression.
The Anglo-French Allied Forces generals all looked equally grave. They knew Marshal Joffre was not crying wolf. This was the stark reality. The Allied Powers—or rather, Britain and France—were already in an extremely unfavorable position in this war. If they failed to seize this opportunity, they would ultimately be defeated. Once they lost, the consequences would naturally be all too clear.
"According to the intelligence we have obtained, the Germans have completed their preparations. Reims, not far from here, is the German military's headquarters. This battle will be personally commanded by the German Crown Prince. However, he seems to regard us as weak Russians, believing that we, like the Russians, will collapse at a single blow,"