Chapter 0782: Response Plan

"What are the British up to? Have they really started to withdraw their forces voluntarily? Does this not allow us to land without any concerns? Even if they continue to hold their ground and bombard our landing zones with artillery, they should still inflict significant losses on us!" General Crook furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Who knows what they're planning! Nevertheless, this actually works to our advantage. At the very least, our main corps have successfully landed. This is when we can truly say that we've established a foothold in Britain. From this point onward, should the British attempt to drive us back into the sea, they will find it impossible!" General Bilow remarked confidently.

"No matter what the British intend to do, we must simply proceed with the attack as planned. I do not believe that their army, now gathered together, can withstand the might of our forces!" General Housen's spirits were high as he spoke.

Among these German commanders, it was widely believed that while the British withdrawal and concentration of forces could pose some threat to the Germans, the overall danger was minimal. With the formidable strength of the German military, they were certain to overcome any obstacles posed by the British.

"General Ludendorff, what are your thoughts?" asked Marshal von Falkenhayn.

"Marshal, I believe the British are simply attempting to play to their strengths and avoid their weaknesses. When fighting along the coast, we not only have the support of our navy's firepower, but also the backing of our army's air force. Our infantry firepower is already far superior to theirs. Hence, in coastal combat, the British have no chance. However, if the battle shifts inland, their superiority in manpower could somewhat counterbalance our firepower. The navy's big guns, aside from the battleships' large-caliber main guns, will barely reach Canterbury. The air force may continue to bomb the British, but they too have their own air force. Though weaker than ours, it must still be considered a factor. In that case, the British could concentrate their manpower advantage, perhaps believing they can defeat us through sheer numbers!" General Ludendorff explained.

Marshal von Falkenhayn nodded thoughtfully. "I agree with your assessment. However, these factors alone will not be enough to defeat us. Even if the British have more troops, they are still no match for our military prowess."

Marshal von Falkenhayn exuded confidence, firmly believing in the superior fighting capabilities of the German forces.

"Indeed, Marshal. Even without the naval gunfire support, and with their air force potentially hindering ours, we still have more than enough strength to crush them! If the British believe they can defeat us with this, they are sorely mistaken." General Crook affirmed.

"Marshal, the most pressing issue now is the vast number of troops the British still have in London. If we do not defeat and annihilate the current forces swiftly, the arrival of British reinforcements could lead to a stalemate, which would be extremely detrimental for us!" General Ludendorff cautioned.

The faces of Marshal von Falkenhayn and the other officers grew serious. In their plan for the invasion of Britain, the Germans had committed only four corps and five naval infantry divisions, without plans to bring in additional forces for the time being. Of course, should the situation require it, one or two more corps could be redeployed. However, neither Marshal von Falkenhayn nor his commanders wished for the situation to escalate to that point, as it would undoubtedly tip the balance in favor of the British. They all hoped that with the four corps and five naval infantry divisions at their disposal, they could decisively defeat the British.

As of now, with only the 8th Corps' twenty thousand men remaining, the rest of the German forces had already made their landing. If the British were to send more reinforcements, the situation would become even more unfavorable for the Germans.

"Officers, do any of you have suggestions on how to proceed?" Marshal von Falkenhayn inquired.

"Marshal, even if the British can draw troops from London, what difference will it make? If we launch a swift attack and annihilate the main British forces at Canterbury, we will secure victory. The British forces at Canterbury are only five corps, less than a million men. The 1st and 2nd Corps, along with two naval infantry divisions, total nearly seven hundred thousand. Our forces are almost evenly matched, and we hold a decisive advantage in combat strength. Moreover, the navy's battleships can provide crucial artillery support. As we attack Canterbury, we can request that ten battleships bombard Canterbury and its surroundings day and night, inflicting significant casualties on the British and further demoralizing them. This will work in our favor as we advance. The army's air force can continue bombing British positions, weakening their fighting ability and creating more advantageous conditions for us. Our ground forces, with two armored divisions leading the charge, can rapidly infiltrate behind the British lines, encircling and destroying their troops before they can even react. This way, before the British can mount a counteroffensive, we will already have the upper hand!" General Ludendorff proposed.

"Indeed, we also have powerful armored forces that can tear through the British defenses. The 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions, with over five hundred advanced tanks, are more than enough to breach the British lines at Canterbury." General Housen nodded enthusiastically.

"General Ludendorff, will the 8th Corps need to be called into action as well?" asked Marshal von Falkenhayn.

"Yes, Marshal. Such a decisive battle cannot be fought without the 8th Corps. However, I suggest we change their landing site. Originally, we planned to land them at Bournemouth, but it is too far from the battlefield. I believe we can land at Eastbourne instead. After the 3rd Corps attracts the British attention with its assault on Maidstone, the 8th Corps can swiftly land at Eastbourne and then move to attack Maidstone, helping the 3rd Corps eliminate the British forces there. This would allow us to send reinforcements to Canterbury while also setting up forces to intercept any British reinforcements coming from London." General Ludendorff outlined his plan.

Upon hearing this, Marshal von Falkenhayn and the other officers nodded in agreement.