From Eastbourne to Maidstone, the straight-line distance is only thirty kilometers. Even if you choose to take a detour to avoid climbing the mountain, the distance is only 60 kilometers. Heavily armed troops took two days. However, for Armored Forces, who was advancing along the highway, sixty kilometers was nothing.
German 8th Army Corps 8th Armored Division, as well as the two extracted Infantry Division, concentrated a large number of Truck. Enables soldiers to move forward on Truck. In this case, the marching time can be greatly reduced.
That night, German 8th Armored Division raided Crawley, and an infantry brigade of the British army stationed here fled. After that, 8th Armored Division and two Infantry Division approached Maidstone overnight. At dawn, 8th Armored Division had already captured Aylesford in the northwest of Maidstone. The British troops 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps were surrounded by German military 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps.
German 8th Army Corps's performance immediately blinded Britain people. From the time 8th Army Corps logged in to joining the battle at lightning speed, it only took one day and one night. However, this made Britain people pay a heavy price for this. More than 400,000 people in the two armies became the turtles in the urn.
Maidstone, the headquarters of the British army 3rd Army Corps. When Army Group Commander General Gough learned that Aylesford had fallen into the hands of German military, he was dumbfounded, as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
"God! Didn't the Germany people just land in Eastbourne yesterday? Why did they capture Aylesford this morning? Could it be that the people who captured Germany would not be able to fly?" General Gough exclaimed.
"General, the Germany people captured Crawley last night. Obviously they did not rest and marched all night, so they were able to capture Aylesford this morning."
"How many German military are occupying Aylesford?" General Gough asked quickly. If the number of German military is not too large, you may be able to recapture Aylesford and evacuate from there.
"General, there are only more than 50,000 people. However, including more than 200 tanks!"
General Gough's face suddenly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He was familiar with the German military compilation and knew that the one appearing there must be 8th Armored Division of German military.
"Damn, it's doomed this time. The most elite Armored Forces of the Germany people have already appeared. It's almost impossible to take back Aylesford!" General Gough looked desperate.
On French front, the Expeditionary Force 5th Army Corps he commanded was hit by German 8th Army Corps and suffered heavy losses. This left a very deep impression on him. Unexpectedly, on the Britain battlefield, I encountered German 8th Army Corps again. This made General Gough subconsciously fear German 8th Army Corps.
However, General Gough then realized that if he didn't take back Aylesford, he would really be dead. Therefore, no matter how powerful 8th Army Corps is, he must bite the bullet!
"Organize troops immediately and launch an attack on Aylesford. No matter what, we must defeat the Germany people and recapture the place. Otherwise, we will be dead! In addition, send Telegram to Theater Headquarters and War Ministry, we need reinforcements!" General Gough ordered.
"Yes, General!"
After the British army 3rd Army Corps launched the attack, they were greeted by the powerful firepower of German 8th Army Corps. Although the overnight march made the troops very tired, the soldiers were still gritting their teeth. In addition, Army Air Corps dispatched a large number of aircraft to provide fire support to them. Almost every attack by the British army would be met with indiscriminate bombing.
The attack of the British army 3rd Army Corps had no other effect at all except leaving corpses on the ground and heavy losses.
At the same time, German military 3rd Army Corps also launched a fierce attack on Maidstone. After the British army's retreat was blocked, 3rd Army Corps Commander General Hausen naturally didn't have to worry about the Britain people escaping.
Under the attack of the two legions German military, the fate of the British army 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps was undoubtedly doomed.
The British army 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps fell into crisis, which made the battle situation Britain Southeast War Zone even more unfavorable to the British army. The British army 1st Army Corps, 2nd Army Corps, 6th Army Corps, 7th Army Corps and 9th Army Corps have been completely suppressed by German 1st Army Corps and 2nd Army Corps, and suffered heavy losses under German offensive. Now 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps are about to be eliminated. Once German military 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps go to Canterbury, they will be dead.
"Germany people have indeed not only invested three legions in British mainland, 8th Army Corps has already appeared. Perhaps, there will be more legions landing in Britain soon! It will be very difficult for us to defeat the Germany people in this battle!" General Hamilton was completely desperate.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. The seven armies of Southeast War Zone are about to be destroyed. Even if London still has several armies, it is impossible to hold on under the attack of the Germany people! Once London falls, our main force will inevitably be wiped out. By then, we will no longer be able to stop German military. The entire Britain will be occupied by the Germany people." General Haig looked even more pessimistic.
"Damn it! If London had sent troops to meet us earlier, maybe we could have withdrawn the main force to London. Now, it's too late to say anything." General Hamilton said angrily.
The British troops 3rd Army Corps and 8th Army Corps are already overwhelmed. The troops assembled by Canterbury suffered heavy losses under the fierce attack of German military and lost all fighting spirit. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to fight against German military.
"Your Excellency Commander, give the order to break out! If you can withdraw one by one, it is better than losing everything here." General Benson suggested.
General Hamilton nodded, even though he knew that after issuing the order to break out, many troops would probably surrender directly to German military. However, when there is no other way, this is the only option. As General Benson said, being able to withdraw one is one.
Immediately, General Hamilton issued an order for the entire army to break out. Hundreds of thousands of British troops began to break out in the direction of London. Although, they were blocked by German military. However, German military's disadvantage of having too few troops still had a great impact on this battle. Many British troops took advantage of the loopholes in German defensive line to escape the blockade and fled back to London.