Chapter 574: Le Havre

Le Havre, at the mouth of the Seine. Since ancient times, it has been an important shipbuilding base and naval base in France. When France and Britain competed for maritime supremacy, the main force of the French navy gathered here.

It's a pity that with the failure of France and Spain in the decisive sea battle against Britain, France completely lost its ambition to compete with Britain for maritime supremacy. After entering the 20th century, the French navy can be regarded as one of the few world maritime powers. But compared with before, there is already a huge gap. Even the main force of the French navy had to withdraw from the Atlantic coast and go to the small pond in the Mediterranean Sea to dominate. They simply didn't have the courage to fight for maritime supremacy.

This also made the naval base of Le Havre deserted.

It's just that now Le Havre has become lively again. Because almost all the defeated soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force in France retreated here. The British Expeditionary Force has a total of 5 armies on the French battlefield. The 1st Army was severely damaged in Rouen, losing more than half. The Second Army suffered extremely heavy losses on the Marne River defense line, almost on the verge of collapse, and is currently withdrawing to southern France with the main force of the French army. The 3rd Army was surrounded and wiped out on the Rouen front, and the 4th Army surrendered in Paris. Only the 5th Army, which had just arrived in France, was still in full strength. It's just that the 5th Army is a newly formed army with limited combat effectiveness. Now it is only hiding in Le Havre with the remnants of the 1st Army.

Sir French, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, also rushed to Le Havre. However, the current situation is already very critical for the British and French coalition forces. The German army has already occupied an absolute advantage on the French battlefield. The British and French allied forces are being pressed step by step. It can be said that defeating them is only a matter of time.

"Your Excellency, the French's tentative attack just launched has failed. They once again lost a lot of troops. The Germans are continuing to attack them south. The French are not far from defeat. Therefore, I think We can no longer stay in France. This is tantamount to waiting to die here. If we can return to the UK, we can also participate in the defense of the homeland. The 300,000 troops will play a vital role in the defense of the homeland role." Admiral Haig, commander of the 1st Army of the British Expeditionary Force, suggested.

"General Haig, I know what you mean. However, neither the Cabinet nor the War Department gave us an order to retreat. Therefore, we cannot evacuate at all now." Sir French sighed.

If possible, he certainly hopes to lead his army back to the British mainland. However, the order to retreat was not issued, so he obviously couldn't order the troops to retreat without authorization, right? In that case, there is a problem.

"Your Excellency, the time is critical now, and we cannot delay any longer. Otherwise, the consequences will be very serious. The Germans are already mobilizing troops to come to Le Havre. Those who appeared outside Le Havre The German army is their 1st Army. The strength is almost the same as ours. The 8th Army, which appeared before, disappeared later. However, it has reappeared now. It can be predicted that the Germans have solved their internal problems and began to withdraw Troops are coming against us. It's going to be very bad for us," Admiral Haig said.

According to the German troops that appeared on the outskirts of Le Havre, Admiral Haig could feel that the German attack might be imminent. It is obviously impossible for the troops stationed in Le Havre by the British Expeditionary Force to resist the attack of the two elite German armies.

"General Haig, I will ask the country for instructions. However, you should also know that the possibility of the country allowing us to retreat is probably very small. Our navy will also join forces with the French navy to fight the German navy again. If we can If we win, the situation of the battle will be rewritten accordingly. If we fail, then we will really lose completely." Sir French said.

"In other words, we have to wait until the navy and the Germans decide the outcome again before we can determine whether we can withdraw to the country?" Admiral Haig said.

Sir French nodded. Although, this feeling of handing over his life and death to others made him very uncomfortable. But Sir French had no other choice. For the sake of the overall situation, this is impossible.

"General Haig, now all we have in Le Havre is under your command. I only have one request, and that is to persist as long as possible until our navy and the German navy decide the outcome!" Sir French said.

"Okay, sir, I will do my best!" Admiral Haig nodded.

When the British army was preparing to resist the German attack in Le Havre, the German 1st Army and 8th Army had already arrived in Le Havre. Originally, the 8th Army went north to monitor the 4th Army that had changed. This made the 1st Army not launch an attack immediately after arriving, but waited for the opportunity.

Now, the Kingdom of Württemberg has quelled the rebellion, and the Württemberg royal family has also been uprooted. The German offensive can naturally continue.

In Qin Tian's previous plan, he used two group armies to deal with the remaining troops of the British Expeditionary Force, eliminate them, and create favorable conditions for the subsequent landing in the British mainland.

On May 6, the day when Qin Tian became emperor in Berlin, the German 1st Army and 8th Army began to discuss the attack on Le Havre.

"Today is the day when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ascended the throne in Berlin. Since we have no chance to return to Berlin to attend the ceremony, then, let's use a victory to celebrate His Majesty's enthronement ceremony!" Admiral Crook said.

The death of William II was a big blow to veterans like them. Fortunately, the rebellion has subsided. His Majesty William III, who is more outstanding than William II, will also ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor. This means that Germany will have a brighter future. The generals on the front line are also more confident.

"Yes! If we can eat the 300,000 British Expeditionary Force, then the British Expeditionary Force is finished. The next French will surrender. We just need to prepare for the last battle. ’” Lieutenant General Ludendorff said. The last battle he talked about was naturally the battle to land on the British mainland. The various regiments of the German Army are eagerly looking forward to becoming troops landing in the British mainland. This will be a great honor for them.