Anglo-French Allied Forces's retreat during Marne River marked that Anglo-French Allied Forces was completely at a disadvantage in the battle with German military. Marshal Joffre ordered the remaining troops, except French 3rd Army Corps and 5th Army Corps, to assemble towards Paris and prepare to defend Paris.
Of course, at this point, I'm afraid it's up to French government to decide whether or not this battle should continue.
Marshal Joffre received an order from French President Poincaré to return to Paris in advance. He handed over the task of retreat to General Foch. When Marshal Joffre rushed to the Élysée Palace's presidential office, he found that besides him, British Expeditionary Force Commander Sir French was also here.
"Your Excellency, I'm afraid we can't defeat the Germany people this time!" Sir French seemed to be in a very serious situation. British Expeditionary Force suffered a big loss in this war. 1st Army Corps was severely damaged, 2nd Army Corps was also severely damaged, and 3rd Army Corps was completely wiped out. Now only 4th Army Corps and the newly formed 5th Army Corps are left in western France. It can be said that the entire Expeditionary Force lost nearly half of its troops. The combat power is only about one third left. Under such circumstances, British Expeditionary Force undoubtedly lost the courage to continue fighting.
"No, Sir. Although the current situation is very difficult for us, we cannot give up like this. We still have troops and can continue to fight! I have ordered 11th Army Corps and 12th Army Corps Kitakami. In addition, I will also recommend to the President that more armies be formed in southern France." Marshal Joffre said.
Compared with the losses of British Expeditionary Force, the losses of the French army were greater. Almost all of the several armies on Marne Defense Line were disabled. Add to this the losses of 1st Army Corps, and the losses of 3rd Army Corps and 5th Army Corps stationed at Verdun. So far, the French army's losses have exceeded 800,000.
Such a heavy loss is undoubtedly debilitating for France. After all, the total population of this country is only over 30 million. Even if extreme mobilization is carried out, a maximum of three million troops can be mobilized. You know, France now has mobilized 12 army groups and 2.4 million people, which is not far from the figure of 3 million.
When Marshal Joffre said this, he naturally wanted Sir French to see his determination so that British Expeditionary Force could assist them and continue fighting. After all, with France's own strength, it is obviously impossible to fight against Germany. At this time, British Expeditionary Force's assistance becomes particularly important.
"Your Excellency, your courage is very admirable. However, we also need to ask the domestic authorities for instructions on what Expeditionary Force should do next." Sir French said. Of course, I am afraid that he personally is very optimistic about French's resistance. After all, France has lost too many troops in this war. Even if they mobilize further, how many troops can be mobilized? Sir French is very skeptical about this. In addition, he did not think that the newly formed troops were opponents of the Germany* army. The previous battles have undoubtedly proven how powerful German military is. Even Anglo-French Allied Forces's elite troops are no match for German military. Not to mention the hastily formed new troops. Those new troops are simply going to die.
When thinking of this, Sir French was also worried about the fate of the British Empire. France's failure seems to be doomed. Then, after France fails, it may be Britain's turn. British Navy has failed. If Britain does not surrender, Germany people will definitely landing in Britain. At that time, British Army will have to fight these fierce German military. And can British Army withstand German offensive? That's obviously unlikely. However, in order to defend their country, they had to fight against the Germany people. This makes Sir French very distressed.
"Sir, no matter what, we will continue to fight. It will never be easy for Germany people to defeat French Republic. France soldiers will fight to the end." Marshal Joffre said firmly again.
Sir French nodded, but said nothing more.
Marshal Joffre and Sir French walked to President Poincaré's office together. When they entered the office, they discovered that not only President Poincaré was there, but also Prime Minister Rene Viviani, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief Theophile Delcasse, Minister of War Alexander Millerand, Secretary of the Navy Victor Gagnour and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Ribot are all waiting here.
These people are undoubtedly those in power of French government. They were eager to meet Marshal Joffre and Sir French, undoubtedly hoping to have a deep understanding of the upcoming battle situation. So that they can make a correct judgment on the situation in the future,
"Your Excellency, Sir, please sit down!" President Poincaré said. He seemed to be trying hard to put a smile on his face, but he simply couldn't. The smile on his face was very ugly, as if he was smiling but not smiling.
Marshal Joffre and Sir French both knew President Poincaré's current mood and didn't care about it. After all, as the president of French Republic, their army suffered an unprecedented defeat on the battlefield. Their country may even lose in this war, and then their country is likely to perish as a result. This is undoubtedly an unbearable pressure for anyone.
Marshal Joffre and Sir French nodded and sat down in their seats.
President Poincaré glanced at everyone in the office, and then said, "Gentlemen, French Republic has now reached its most critical moment. Our army was defeated by the Germany people on the front line and suffered heavy losses. Now, the Germany people's army is approaching Paris. What should we do next?"
The faces of these French government senior officials all looked very ugly. They probably didn't expect that the situation would deteriorate to this point. At the beginning of the war, even when German military launched a fierce attack last year and were only dozens of kilometers away from Paris, they were not as desperate as they are now. They have always believed that Germany can win the war. But now, no one thinks so anymore. They all know that French Republic may really perish this time.