Chapter 595: France's Obsession

"Surrender, we surrender!"

"God! We don't want to fight anymore, we want to go home!"

Countless officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force stepped out of the trenches one after another. They dropped their weapons, raised their hands, and surrendered to the Germans. Under the heavy shelling of the German naval fleet, their will to fight has collapsed. Coupled with the escape of several major commanders, they did not have the courage to continue fighting.

The desire to survive transcended the honor and disgrace of individuals and the country. Under such circumstances, surrender became their only choice for the officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who only wanted to survive.

Facing the surrender of the British Expeditionary Force, although the German army was a little surprised, they still accepted their surrender with a smile on their faces. Of course, it is very easy for them to eliminate these officers and soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force who have no fighting spirit. However, the so-called rabbit will bite people in a hurry. In a battle, no matter how smooth it is, the winning party will pay a certain price. It is simply impossible to fight a battle with zero casualties. Therefore, the surrender of the British is also of great benefit to the German army. This allowed them to take Le Havre with minimal effort. Moreover, the time-consuming is also the least, and the casualties are also the least.

Admiral Crook and Lieutenant General Ludendorff are also happy to see such a situation. Whether it is captured or annihilated, it is a victory. They don't care about the process, only the final result.

"General, the last resisting British expeditionary force has laid down its weapons. The Battle of Le Havre is over!" Lieutenant General Ludendorff showed a smile on his face. At the same time, he also breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the battle of Le Havre this time can be described as full of twists and turns. Originally thought it would be easy to win, but because of the sneak attack of the Royal Navy fleet, they suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, the carrier-based aircraft units and fleet of the Imperial Navy gave them support. Otherwise, they really couldn't win Le Havre.

"The fight is finally over. Fortunately, although there have been some accidents. But overall, this result is still satisfactory to us." Admiral Crook said.

"That's right! The entire French battlefield is almost over, and there won't be any big battles." Lieutenant General Ludendorff said.

Although, the French army is still resisting. The main armies of the German army are also continuing to move south. However, the French army kept retreating on the battlefield, and they simply didn't have the courage to continue fighting the German army. Predictably, once they had retreated to the south of France, they would have to make a choice. In other words, there is no other choice.

The surrender of the British Expeditionary Force in Le Havre was undoubtedly a heavy blow to the French government. It made them even less confident about the current war. In other words, I don't have the courage to fight anymore.

Among the French government and military, those main combat factions who insisted on continuing the war had less and less weight to speak with the development of the war situation. Even French President Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani have begun to think that the war has reached this point, and it seems that there is no need to persist.

However, even so, the main combatants of the French government and military have not completely given up. They still hope that France can end the war as a winner, not a loser.

"Gentlemen, the British Expeditionary Force failed in Le Havre. More than 200,000 people surrendered to the Germans. This allowed the Germans to deploy more troops to attack us. It is foreseeable that the future situation will be Even worse for us!" said President Poincaré.

"Yes! Everyone, I am very pessimistic about whether we can win the war. After all, the current situation is very unfavorable to us. And our enemy has too great an advantage on the battlefield !” Prime Minister René Viviani also said.

"Your Excellency the President, Your Excellency the Prime Minister. I do not deny that the current situation is very unfavorable to us. The Germans have indeed taken an absolute advantage. However, we still have a chance. If the combined fleet can defeat the German Navy. Then, the situation will develop in our favour. At that time, a large amount of resources from the colonies, as well as aid from the United States, will make us stronger again. On the other hand, the Germans, because of the defeat of the navy, will regain their strength. At the point of being blocked. At that time, they will become weaker and weaker. The balance of victory will gradually tilt towards us again, and in the end, we will win the war." Marshal Joffre said.

Although, Marshal Xiafei himself was a little uncertain. However, as the commander-in-chief of the French army. At the same time, he is also the leader of the main combat faction, so he naturally has to show great confidence. Otherwise, even he doesn't have the confidence to fight on, so how can this fight continue.

"However, half of our country has been occupied now. If we continue to fight, we will fall into more land, a large number of cities will be destroyed, and a large number of people will die in the war. This is for the French Republic It would be very unfavorable for the country," Prime Minister René Viviani said.

After all, if there are too many losses in the war. Then, the entire country and nation will be hit hard by this. Even if the war is over in the end, it will be quite difficult to recover.

"Your Excellency, your concern is correct. But it is precisely because of this that we need to continue the war. Now, we have paid a great loss in this war. If we end the war now , then our losses will never be recovered. Moreover, the Germans will definitely put forward very harsh demands for an armistice, for which we need to pay a greater price. And if we can finally win the war, Then we can turn around and slaughter the Germans. In this way, all the losses we paid in the war can be recovered from the Germans, or even doubled. By that time, the French Republic will It will quickly recover its strength and even become stronger." Marshal Xia Fei said.

President Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani were moved by Marshal Joffre's view. So, they decided to grit their teeth and continue the war.

However, the two also made it clear. If the United Fleet fails to defeat the German Navy in the decisive battle. Then, the war must be ended immediately. No matter how much you pay, you need to stop the loss immediately.