The Germans' violent surge and sweep completely destroyed the French's confidence in resistance, and the French government directly announced its surrender, which was regarded as saving the collapsing French army on the battlefield.
But those twenty-odd British divisions were unlucky. Not only were their positions and defenses overwhelmed by the collapsing French, and they fled backwards together, but after France surrendered, they were directly trapped in a tight siege.
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After all, the French were not completely indifferent and did not immediately let the French army attack the British army. In fact, they could not do it.
The French army's own organizational structure has all collapsed, and there is not even a single unit with online organization. And even if it does, there is no way to send troops to fight the British when the army is everywhere.
But this does not mean that the British will have an easier time or have a chance to escape.
The troops of more than 20 divisions were almost scattered throughout northern France. The situation of the three new mechanics was slightly better. They withdrew to the rear for repairs due to excessive casualties in the past. They did not face the French defeated army immediately. Overall, the situation was better.
It is said that the organization is still intact, and the equipment and supplies on hand are in pretty good condition.
After all, they were withdrawn for repairs, and they had a high priority in the British army's supply sequence, so the replenishment of various supplies and equipment was quite timely.
It's just that the new recruits originally scheduled to be supplied to them were currently with the twelve infantry divisions sent from home to support them, and were blocked in the rear and had not yet been transported to the front.
If they want to obtain additional troops, they may have to break through the French who are currently standing between them and the twelve infantry divisions, and merge with them so that the new troops that should be supplemented for them can be replenished into the army.
In fact, whether these three armored divisions wanted to replenish their troops or not, they had to pass through the obstacle composed of countless broken French troops in front of them.
Because only in this way can they escape to heaven and leave the territory of France, an ally that has surrendered.
But it's no easy feat.
Not to mention whether the British army could open fire on the French army who had been fighting side by side before, even if the British really issued such an order in accordance with the tradition of being indifferent, or the three armored divisions were so crazy that they directly used tanks to crush them.
It would be difficult for them to find a way out of the defeated French army.
Not to mention anything else, the French who had blocked the road could make all three British armored divisions lie down even if they just used corpses to stuff the tracks.
But it is impossible for them to stay where they are.
The French army had been defeated. There was not even a friendly force on either flank, and they could not even establish a decent line of defense.
Moreover, they were originally located at the rear of the battle line to repair, and there was no terrain around them that could be used for defense.
In addition, the Germans had already moved straight towards them, hoping to disintegrate the last resistance on French territory. If the British troops stayed in place, they would only surrender to the Germans and be wiped out.
Therefore, no matter how much Churchill did not want to negotiate peace with the Germans, he had to consider Chamberlain's proposal at this time. After all, he and his British government had no good way to save these three armored divisions and other British troops at this time.
At this time, the British army in France has been split into three parts. The three armored divisions are located behind the Weygand defense line. At this time, they are surrounded by the defeated French army. A German army composed of elite mechanized troops is heading towards where they are.
If you move forward to their location, you will soon reach their location.
The ten divisions of the British Expeditionary Force originally stationed in Belgium were basically reduced to a defeated army, and their condition was no different from the current defeated French army.
Having discarded all kinds of baggage and supplies, they were mixed among the defeated French army. Their organization level was basically zero, and there was no need to count on their combat effectiveness. Moreover, just like the pepper noodles sprinkled in the soup, there was basically no need to consider whether they could be taken back and reorganized.
Not to mention allowing them to reach the retreat location and form an organized or large-scale retreat.
As for the twelve infantry divisions that came to reinforce France, their situation was not that bad. Their organization was basically intact, but almost all of the twelve divisions were blocked in Calais.
Previously, it was because the French railways were already overloaded to support frontline operations, and there were not enough trains available to transport these British troops, causing them to be temporarily stranded in Calais.
Originally, they could only wait a little longer, until the transportation capacity on the railway was freed up, and then go to the front line. These British soldiers could survive for a few more days.
But now they had to face a very bad situation, that is, before the troops were deployed, they were blocked in the city and killed indiscriminately by the Germans.
Contrary to what most people imagine, an army must be deployed if it wants to fight, and the space required to deploy an army is much larger than the space required to station an army.
When a regiment is stationed, a military camp with a small area may be able to handle it, but when a regiment's troops are deployed, it can cover a county!
Not to mention that the British had twelve divisions in Calais at this time. If they expanded, they could use Calais as a support and establish a line of defense to resist the German attack.
However, this is just a beautiful fantasy. Not to mention that the twelve British infantry divisions were blocked in the city of Calais and could not get out. Even if they could leave Calais, there was no way to hastily establish a line that could resist the German attack.
line of defense.
Because they are only in transportation mode at this time, the soldiers and mid-level and high-level officers are separated. Only the grassroots officers are maintaining the organization of the soldiers. All their baggage, supplies and equipment are also blocked in the warehouse in Calais.
Packed and awaiting shipment.
And even if they were able to obtain the equipment and successfully establish a line of defense outside the city of Calais, at this time, the French army was defeated in Calais both in and outside the city, and they had no way to fight.
At this time, Churchill really felt physically and mentally exhausted and had a big head. Finally, after smoking a whole box of Havana cigars, the Prime Minister of the British Empire finally proposed the famous rescue plan just like in history.
Only this time it was not the Dunkirk evacuation, but the Calais rescue.
Churchill mobilized all the ships that the British could mobilize to Calais, and sent the Royal Navy to assist in the defense of Calais, so that the British troops in Calais and part of the defeated French army could retreat from there.
As for the British troops trapped in France, Churchill could no longer take care of them at this time.
The ten infantry divisions of the Expeditionary Force whose organization collapsed were directly abandoned. If they can reach Calais, they can be taken away together. If they can't make it, they can surrender directly to the Germans. Churchill has obtained the king's permission, and their surrender is not allowed.
They will be held accountable after the war is over, if the British Empire is still able to hold them accountable after the war is over.
Since those three armored divisions still maintained contact with the British mainland, Churchill issued the only order to them in the name of the newly succeeded King George VI.