Jagged Germany: Chapter 803 War Situation Erosion ask for monthly ticket
From Eastbourne to Maidstone, the straight-line distance is only 30 kilometers. Even if you choose to take a detour to avoid climbing, the distance is only 60 kilometers. Fully armed troops, it takes two days. However, for an armored force advancing along the road at high speed, sixty kilometers is nothing at all.
The 8th Armored Division of the German 8th Army, as well as the two infantry divisions drawn out, concentrated a large number of trucks. Allowing soldiers to advance in trucks. In this way, the marching time can be greatly reduced.
That night, the German 8th Armored Division raided Crawley, and a British infantry brigade stationed here fled. After that, the 8th Armored Division and two infantry divisions approached Maidstone overnight. By daybreak, the 8th Armored Division had captured Aylesford, northwest of Maidstone. The British 3rd Army and 8th Army were surrounded by the German 3rd Army and 8th Army.
The performance of the German 8th Army immediately blinded the British. It only took one day and one night from the landing of the 8th Army to the lightning-fast entry into the battle. However, this made the British pay a heavy price for it. The two group armies, with more than 400,000 people, became the turtle in the urn.
Maidstone, the headquarters of the British Third Army. When General Goff, the commander of the army group, learned that Ayersford had fallen into the hands of the German army, he was dumbfounded, as if he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
"God! Didn't the Germans just land in Eastbourne yesterday? Why did they take down Ayersford this morning? Could it be that taking down the Germans won't make it fly?" Admiral Gough exclaimed.
"General, the Germans occupied Crawley last night. Obviously they did not rest and marched overnight, so they were able to occupy Ayersford this morning."
"How many German troops occupied Aylesford?" Admiral Gough asked quickly. If the Germans were not too numerous, it might be possible to recapture Aylesford and withdraw from there.
"General, there are only more than 50,000 people. However, more than 200 tanks are included!"
Admiral Goff's complexion suddenly turned black like the bottom of a pot. Familiar with the establishment of the German army, he knew that it must be the 8th Armored Division of the German army.
"Damn it, it's a dead end this time. The most elite armored troops of the Germans have already appeared. It is almost impossible to recapture Ayersford!" Admiral Goff looked desperate.
On the French battlefield, the 5th Army of the Expeditionary Force under his command was hit by the 8th Army of the German Army and suffered heavy losses. This left a very deep impression on him. Unexpectedly, on the British battlefield, I encountered the German 8th Army again. This made General Goff subconsciously fear the German 8th Army.
However, Admiral Goff then realized that if Ayersford was not recaptured, he would really be dead. Therefore, no matter how powerful the Eighth Army is, he still has to bite the bullet!
"Organize troops immediately and launch an attack on Aylesford. In any case, we must defeat the Germans and take it back. Otherwise, we are dead! Also, send a telegram to the theater command and the War Department. We need Reinforcement!" Admiral Goff ordered.
"Yes, General!"
After the British 3rd Army launched its offensive, they were greeted by the powerful firepower of the German 8th Army. Although marching overnight made the troops very tired, the soldiers were still gnashing their teeth. Coupled with the fact that the Army Air Force dispatched a large number of planes to provide fire support to them, almost every attack by the British army will be bombed indiscriminately.
The attack of the British 3rd Army had no effect at all except for the corpses left on the ground and heavy losses.
At the same time, the German 3rd Army also launched a fierce attack on Maidstone. After the rear of the British army was blocked, General Howson, the commander of the 3rd Army, naturally did not have to worry about the British fleeing.
Under the pincer attack of the two German armies, the fate of the British 3rd Army and 8th Army was undoubtedly doomed.
The British 3rd Army and 8th Army are in crisis, which makes the situation in the southeastern theater of the United Kingdom even more unfavorable to the British Army. The British 1st Army, 2nd Army, 6th Army, 7th Army and 9th Army have been completely suppressed by the German 1st Army and 2nd Army, and suffered heavy losses under the German attack. Now the 3rd Army and the 8th Army are about to be wiped out. Once the German 3rd Army and 8th Army went to Canterbury, they were even more dead.
"The Germans did not only invest three legions in the British mainland, but the 8th Army has already appeared. Perhaps, more legions will land in the British mainland soon! In this battle, it is very difficult for us to defeat the Germans. Great!" Admiral Hamilton was completely desperate.
"Yes, Your Excellency Commander. The seven armies in the southeast theater are about to be destroyed. Even if London still has a few armies, it is impossible to hold on to the German attack! Once London falls, our main force will It will also be completely wiped out. At that time, we will no longer be able to stop the German army. The whole of Britain will be occupied by the Germans." Admiral Haig appeared even more pessimistic.
"Damn! If London had sent troops to meet us earlier, maybe we would have been able to withdraw the main force to London. Now, it is too late to say anything." Admiral Hamilton said angrily.
The British 3rd Army and 8th Army are already overwhelmed. The troops assembled in Canterbury suffered heavy losses under the fierce German attack and had no fighting spirit. Under such circumstances, it is simply impossible to confront the German army.
"Your Excellency, Commander, give an order to break through! It is only one that can be withdrawn. It is better than losing everything here." Admiral Benson suggested.
General Hamilton nodded, although he knew that after the order to break out, many troops would probably surrender directly to the Germans. However, this is the only way to do it when there is no other way. As Admiral Benson said, being able to pull back one is one.
Immediately, General Hamilton issued an order for the entire army to break through. Hundreds of thousands of British troops began to break out in the direction of London. Although, they were intercepted by the German army. However, the disadvantage of too few German troops still had a great impact on this battle. Many British troops took advantage of the loopholes in the German defense line to escape the blockade and fled back to London.