As early as May 13, the 30th Infantry Division, which had fought in the Norwegian Campaign, had completed its refit, and then served as the reserve force of Army Group A and entered Dusseldorf via Braunschweig.
Now, in the early morning of May 15, the 30th Division, under the leadership of its division commander Hans, was heading to take over the defense line left by the 14th Armored Corps in the Abbeville area.
The 14th Armored Corps joined the armored group dividing the British and French forces and launched an assault in the direction of England.
On the same day, Gamelin, the commander-in-chief of the three-nation coalition forces who discovered the crisis, reported to French Prime Minister Paul Reno that the coalition's retreat was cut off. He bluntly stated that he alone was unable to save the situation and asked Leilot to immediately request the British to dispatch more Royal Air Force.
To regain control of the Allied forces in the encirclement from the Luftwaffe.
In the early morning of May 16, Churchill, who had just taken over the post of Prime Minister from Chamberlain, flew to Paris early to go to the government office where Gamelin and Prime Minister Leilot were located for talks.
It's ironic to say the least. A few months ago, Churchill, who was then the British Lord of the Admiralty, made a special trip to see Gamelin and asked him to provide an army for the invasion of Norway.
At that time, because of an insignificant small meeting, Gamelin put on airs and left Churchill aside for several hours.
But now, Gamelin, who expected Britain to send more Royal Air Force, actually postponed the imminent discussion meeting on counterattack against Germany in order to welcome Churchill who came from afar, and waited for Churchill's arrival in advance.
Now that the German army has broken through the important fortress city of Sedan in France and has advanced 60 miles to the west, a meeting to counterattack can be said to be a top priority. The military meeting at this time was far more complicated than before.
The peacetime military conference that Churchill was left waiting for was far more important.
However, this more important meeting was turned down by Gan Molin.
Five months apart, he also met Churchill, and Gamelin, who had always been proud, experienced such a huge change. I have to say, this is a naked irony!
"General Gamelin," Churchill said proudly as soon as he stepped into Gamelin's office: "I still remember the last time I came here, I waited for you for several hours before I had the honor to meet you. I didn't expect that this time, I
You have to wait before we arrive."
Churchill was not a selfless gentleman who held no grudges. He was just a fat man who looked fleshy. Who said that a fat man must be honest and honest? Sometimes when a fat man remembers a grudge, he may remember it for the rest of his life.
Coincidentally, Churchill was such a stingy fat man.
"Dear Mr. Churchill," Prime Minister Reno, who noticed something was wrong, hurriedly said to Xi Ni: "Admiral Gamelin has postponed an important counterattack plan discussion meeting in order to talk to you in time. I believe that from this point, it is enough
I can see General Gan Molin’s sincerity.”
"Sincerity?" Churchill mocked like a villain: "The last time I came here, why didn't I see that General Gamelin was such a sincere person? Why, could it be that the discussion meeting a few months ago
It's more important than today's counterattack meeting, so I had to be left aside to wait."
Seeing the tit-for-tat Churchill in front of him, Reno couldn't believe that this fat man could sneak into the position of Prime Minister of the British Empire. This kind of magnanimity was really different from that of his predecessor Chamberlain.
At such a critical juncture, to rub salt into the wound with all kinds of cynicism towards the allied generals and the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces is not what a mature country leader should be like at all.
Originally, when a narrow-minded person like Gamelin became the commander-in-chief of the Three Kingdoms Allied Forces, Reno's three views on the upper class had been refreshed. As a result, Churchill, who was in a higher position, unexpectedly became even more fussy. Is it possible that who has the magnanimity these days?
If you are younger, whoever does better will have a higher position?
Fortunately, Renault didn't understand Reinhardt, the head of state of Germany. Otherwise, he would understand how far a national leader can go if he is really shameless and stingy!
"The coalition forces are at a critical moment of life and death. It would be a bit inappropriate for the British Prime Minister to just complain all the time." As the target of Churchill's satire, Gamelin crossed his arms on his chest and said coldly.
Having been among the top brass of the British Empire for many years, Churchill also gained a profound insight into observing words and emotions.
At this moment, he deduced from Gamelin's actions that the other party had been completely irritated by him and had a vague tendency to have an attack.
Gamelin crossed his hands on his chest, which is a typical defensive action. Based on Churchill’s observation and summary of many years of experience in politics, when people make such an action, it is like putting up a fight between themselves and others.
A barrier.
Although the specific meaning of crossed arms will vary depending on the specific incident, the common characteristics they express are clear, that is, psychological rejection, denial and defense.
Through specific observation, Churchill also noticed that while Gamelin crossed his arms, he also made fists on his hands. From this, it can be judged that Gamelin has become hostile. If Churchill continues to use verbal attacks and sarcasm to attack Gamelin
Lin is very likely to encounter an excited counterattack by Gan Molin next.
Thinking of this, Churchill sighed silently in his heart.
In fact, he didn't really want to ridicule Gan Molin here to avenge his original revenge just to vent his anger. Although doing so did make him happy, it was not the reason for his behavior.
The reason why Churchill really stimulated Gamelin was to test whether the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces could keep his composure and stabilize his position under special circumstances. If he couldn't bear even a few words of verbal stimulation from Churchill, then in the current crisis,
How can people rest assured that he can calmly command the army out of desperate situations?
Unfortunately, Gamelin's reaction greatly disappointed Churchill. Although this was a general from an allied country, he could not say anything more. But from the bottom of his heart, Churchill looked down on the commander-in-chief of the allied forces.
But Churchill was different from Gamelin. He could hide his inner emotions and choose appropriate emotions to express.
Putting on a smiling face, Churchill smiled and backed down and said: "Sorry, I am too narrow-minded. I apologize to Commander Gamelin for my provocative behavior just now."
When he heard Churchill retreating to the steps, Gamelin's expression softened a lot, and his clenched fists loosened.
"It's okay, let's talk about important things as soon as possible." Gan Molin said relieved.
Churchill saw every move of the opponent. At this moment, he no longer had any expectations for the ability of the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces.
