Chapter 0517: The Crisis of France

The retreat of the Anglo-French forces along the Marne River signifies their complete disadvantage in the battle against the German army. Marshal Joffre has ordered the remaining troops, with the exception of the French Third and Fifth Armies, to gather in Paris and prepare for a determined defense of the capital.

At this juncture, it is up to the French government to decide whether to continue the fight.

Receiving orders from President Poincaré, Marshal Joffre is to return to Paris ahead of schedule. He entrusts the retreat operations to General Foch. Upon arriving at the Élysée Palace, Joffre finds that Sir John French, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, is already present.

"Marshal, I fear we may no longer be able to defeat the Germans!" Sir John French expresses his grave concerns. The British Expeditionary Force has suffered tremendous losses. The First Army has been severely crippled, the Second Army has also taken heavy damage, and the Third Army has been annihilated, leaving only the Fourth Army and the newly formed Fifth Army in western France. Overall, the Expeditionary Force has lost nearly half of its strength, with combat effectiveness dwindling to about a third. In this dire situation, the British Expeditionary Force has undoubtedly lost the will to continue.

"No, Sir. While the current situation is indeed challenging, we must not surrender so easily. We still have troops, and we can keep fighting! I have already ordered the Eleventh and Twelfth Armies to advance northward. Furthermore, I will recommend to the President that we form additional armies in southern France," Marshal Joffre asserts.

In contrast to the losses faced by the British Expeditionary Force, the French have suffered even more. The armies stationed along the Marne line have been nearly decimated. Along with the losses of the First Army and the Third and Fifth Armies at Verdun, the total French casualties have exceeded eight hundred thousand.

Such a staggering loss is undoubtedly crippling for France, whose total population is just over thirty million. Even with extreme mobilization, it can barely field three million troops. Currently, France has mobilized twelve armies, totaling two hundred forty thousand men, drawing ever closer to that three million mark.

Marshal Joffre's words are intended to instill confidence in Sir John French, encouraging the British to continue the fight alongside them. It is evident that France cannot withstand the German assault alone. In this critical moment, the support of the British Expeditionary Force is paramount.

"Marshal, your courage is commendable. However, we too must consult our home government regarding the next steps for the Expeditionary Force," Sir John French replies, harboring doubts about the French resolve. After all, France has sustained tremendous losses throughout this war. Even with further mobilization, how many more troops can they muster? Sir John is skeptical, particularly regarding the newly formed units, which, as past battles have shown, cannot stand against the might of the German army. These hastily assembled forces would be marching to their doom.

As he contemplates this, Sir John also worries about the fate of the British Empire. The impending failure of France seems almost inevitable, and with it, Britain's turn may soon follow. The British navy has already faltered; should Britain not surrender, the Germans would likely launch an invasion of the British Isles. British troops would then have to confront the fierce German forces, and the likelihood of withstanding such an attack appears grim. Yet, to defend their homeland, they would have no choice but to fight, a predicament that weighs heavily on Sir John.

"Sir, regardless of the circumstances, we will continue to fight. The Germans will not easily defeat the French Republic. Our soldiers will fight to the bitter end," Marshal Joffre resolutely asserts once more.

Sir John nods in acknowledgment but refrains from further comment.

Together, Joffre and Sir John enter President Poincaré's office, where they find not only the President but also Prime Minister René Viviani, Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé, Minister of War Alexandre Millerand, Minister of the Navy Victor Gallois, and Minister of Finance Alexandre Ribot awaiting them.

These officials are undoubtedly the powerbrokers of the French government. Their urgency to meet with Joffre and Sir John suggests a desire to grasp the unfolding situation fully, enabling them to make informed decisions in the coming hours.

"Marshals, please take a seat," President Poincaré says, attempting to force a smile that only adds to the distress of his expression.

Joffre and Sir John understand the gravity of Poincaré's mood and do not dwell on the awkwardness of the moment. As the President of the French Republic, he faces an unprecedented military catastrophe; their army has suffered devastating defeats on the battlefield, and the very existence of their nation hangs in the balance. Such burdens are unbearable for anyone.

After settling into their seats, President Poincaré surveys the room before addressing them. "Gentlemen, the French Republic is now in its most perilous hour. Our troops have been defeated by the Germans at the front, suffering grievous losses. Now, their forces are advancing toward Paris. What shall we do next?"

The high-ranking officials of the French government display grave expressions, likely taken aback by the depths of despair into which the situation has fallen. At the onset of hostilities, even when the Germans were only kilometers from Paris, they did not anticipate such a catastrophic outcome. They had always believed victory would be theirs. Now, however, the consensus is stark: the French Republic may very well be on the brink of annihilation.