Toulouse, southern France. It has become the temporary residence of the French government. Previously, the French government moved to Bordeaux, but when the warships of the German Navy appeared in the nearby waters, the senior officials of the French government flew up from the woods like frightened birds, and ran directly to Toulouse.

Toulouse is also the last major city in the south of France, and if it is threatened, the French government will have to cross the Pyrenees and take refuge in Spain. However, in that case, will the French government still be the French government? It's pretty much the same to call it a government-in-exile. Besides, the Spanish government probably did not dare to accept the exile of the French.

Seeing that Germany is about to win the world war, isn't it self-defeating to help the French at this time?

The town hall of Toulouse became the temporary office of the French government. As more and more land fell, more and more armies were scattered by the Germans. Now France is completely struggling to survive. How long it will last, no one knows.

The reason why the French government gritted its teeth and insisted was precisely waiting for a decisive battle between the Combined Fleet and the German Navy. If the combined fleet wins, then they still have a chance to live. If the Combined Fleet fails, then there is no need for them to hold on.

The high-ranking officials of the office of French President Poincaré gathered here, waiting for the news of the naval battle. Although, after a day of waiting, everyone was very tired. But everyone is still insisting, at most smoking an extra cigar and drinking an extra cup of strong coffee.

"Your Excellency the Secretary of the Navy, is there any news?" President Poinkale asked. Perhaps even he couldn't remember the first time he had asked this question.

"Your Excellency, there is no news yet. However, it was almost evening. The battle should be over soon. "Victor? Minister Gagnur said.

President Poincaré nodded: "So, do we have a chance of winning?" ”

"Your Excellency, I'm afraid the odds are not good. Although, together with our three countries, we organized a powerful fleet with a capital ship that was not inferior to the Germans. However, not enough capital ships were able to defeat the Germans. There is a gap between the performance of our warships and the quality of the officers and men of the navy compared with the German navy. The most elite group of British naval officers and sailors had almost died in the previous naval battles. Those officers and soldiers now are much worse! "Victor? Gagnur said.

"Alas! May God bless the French Republic! "President Poincaré was a little helpless.

The current French government is indeed very helpless. Their performance in this war was already very bad. On the battlefield, they could no longer resist the German attack, and could only blindly retreat, exchanging space for time. The only thing that can be done is to wait for the outcome of the naval battle. They pinned all their hopes on naval battles. If the naval battle can be won, then they still have a chance. If the naval battle is lost, then defeat and surrender have become inevitable.

It can be said that the outcome of the naval battle is related to the life and death of France, and it is also an important basis for these high-ranking officials of the French government to decide what to do next. Everyone has some expectations for the outcome of this naval battle, but more is still nervous. They were expecting a miracle from the Combined Fleet to defeat the German Navy. But at the same time, they are also worried that the end result will still be failure.

Of course, failure is more normal. Comparing the strength of the two sides, the disparity is too great. Pinning your hopes on a miracle is simply unrealistic.

Half an hour later, an admiral walked into the office with a serious face.

"Is there a result?" President Poincaré asked immediately.

The eyes of the others were also focused on this general.

"Report to Your Excellency the President, the Combined Fleet is defeated. All the capital ships were sunk or captured by the Germans. And the damage we inflicted on the Germans was very minor. The general said.

"Defeated? Sure enough, it was still defeated? President Poincaré sat back in his chair. This result completely shattered the hope in his heart.

At the same time, however, President Poincaré breathed a sigh of relief. After learning the results of this month, at least there is no need to continue to be delusional.

Other senior French cabinet officials also whispered. However, everyone's faces were full of frustration. Although, the defeat of the combined fleet, this is not surprising. However, such an outcome is still too difficult for people to accept. After all, after the defeat of the Combined Fleet, there was only one way out of the way for the French government.

"Your Excellency, it seems that we have not been able to turn the tide of the war. The Combined Fleet has failed, and our only hope has been shattered. "Prime Minister René? Viviani said.

President Poincaré nodded: "Originally, we also pinned our hopes on the Combined Fleet, hoping that the fleet would be able to work a miracle and defeat the German navy. However, it now seems that all this is simply delusional. ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, the most difficult time for the French Republic has arrived. What's next? President Poincaré looked at the senior Cabinet.

However, these high-ranking officials all bowed their heads one by one and did not say a word. Isn't it obvious what to do now? Talking about the rest has long been useless.

"Your Excellency, the Navy has failed, and the Army cannot withstand the attack of the Germans. The Germans were continuing their advance to the south. There's nothing we can do about it. This war has been going on for a long time. We've already paid a big enough price for that. Since it is impossible to win, it is better to end the war as soon as possible! In this way, you can also reduce some losses. "Foreign Minister Theophel? Delcasse suggested.

"Yes, Your Excellency. We have no choice. The Army had already been defeated by the Germans several times. Now, many units of the army did not even have the courage to fight the Germans. Often as soon as the Germans opened fire, our troops were routed. If this continues, I am afraid that it will not be long before the Germans will reach Toulouse. The whole of France will be occupied by the Germans. "Minister of War Alexander? Millerand said.

The elite units of the French Army have long since died. The current troops are all recruits. They did not have much combat power at all, and they were already frightened by the Germans.

Tearful fish YJ said

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