With Paris well within sight of German troops, the French government evacuates the city. Krupp and Škoda siege guns begin pummeling the city as martial law is declared. French troops and citizens frantically work, constructing entrenchments to withstand the expected German assault.
Desperately trying to drive the Germans out of Paris' vicinity. The French launch an assault against the German V. Armeekorps (Also including the Western Front's General HQ) in Auxerre.
The German XIII. Armeekorps under von Hügel makes best speed to Auxerre, certain that the French will break off the attack with the coming of reinforcements. But a mere 2 hours away, a French artillery shell hits the German General HQ and mortally wounds Kronprinz Rupprecht of Bavaria. The French break off the attack with the arrival of XIII. Armeekorps. The Kaiser promises that the Kronprinz will be given a state funeral,
in Paris.
Remembering the lessons of 1871, the Germans decide to encircle Paris and then crush it instead of attacking head on. A first attempt to cross the Seine in the north of Paris into Caen is broken off and another attack on Argentan is prepared.
The German V. Armeekorps and XIII. Armeekorps in Auxerre launch an attack into Orléans. Assault Troopers overwhelm the French troops, still weakened from their own attack on Auxerre, and overrun them within a week.
Poorly defended Argentan falls next as German troops cross the Seine in the north, linking up with the XIII. Armeekorps in Orléans and completing the encirclement of Paris.
With Paris encircled, the Germans order the final offensive into the city to start. 11 beleaguered French divisions dug in around the city watch as 73 German divisions, over 700,000 men, attack the city from all direction on October 1st.
French Field Marshall Foch orders the troops defending the city to hold out at all costs. A delaying action begins as the French do everything they can to keep the Germans out.
Frustrated with the lack of progress, the German General HQ orders a massive assault on October 4th in order to defeat the defenders. Artillery rains on Paris as troops overwhelm the French trench line.
Facing overwhelming numbers and superior firepower, the French morale is broken. Despite orders to hold the city at all costs, Foch surrenders on the morning of October 4th in order to prevent the city from falling into ruin.
Gerrman troops march into the city. Celebrations break out from Berlin to Vienna as news of the fall of Paris reaches. The French government vows to retake the city, but trust in them and their conduct of the war falls rapidly.
With the fall of Paris and the coming of Winter, the German High Command orders a general advance in order to trap or destroy as much of the French army before the onset of winter. Despite continued resistance, however, France seems doomed to lose the war.
