Battle of France
On the 10th of May 1940, the Wehrmacht armies invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and parts of France. This campaign marked the end of a period known as the Phoney War that had begun after Germany's invasion of Poland on the 1st of September 1939. During those early months, French forces advanced into the Saar region but withdrew by mid-October 1939. The Maginot Line ran from the Swiss border to Longwy, designed to deter German attacks across the Franco-German frontier. General Philippe Pétain declared the Ardennes region impenetrable for any large-scale invasion force. Maurice Gamelin, the French commander-in-chief, believed the area never favoured large operations. French war games held in 1938 left the army with the impression that the Ardennes remained largely impassable. The main section of the Maginot Line ended at Longwy while hills and woods covered the northern area. Hitler issued Directive N°6 on the 9th of October 1939 recognizing the need for military campaigns against Western European nations. The directive aimed to improve Germany's ability to survive a long war rather than conquer all of France immediately. Colonel-General Franz Halder presented the first plan for Case Yellow on the 19th of October 1939. That plan envisioned an advance through central Belgium costing half a million German soldiers to reach the River Somme. Halder argued fast-moving mechanised tactics would not work against a first-rate military like the French. Hitler proposed an invasion date of the 25th of October 1939 but accepted it was probably unrealistic. More postponements followed as commanders persuaded Hitler to delay the attack for weather or preparation reasons.
On the 24th of February 1940, the main German effort moved south to the Ardennes after twenty divisions transferred from Heeresgruppe B. General Erich von Manstein wrote his first memorandum outlining an alternative operational plan on the 31st of October 1939. Six more memoranda followed between that date and the 12th of January 1940, each becoming more radical. All were rejected by OKH until Hitler summoned Manstein on the 17th of February 1940. Hitler ordered Manstein's thinking be adopted because it offered the possibility of decisive victory. The breakthrough at Sedan became the means to encircle Allied armies in Belgium rather than just a tactical objective. Halder then went through an astonishing change of opinion accepting that the Schwerpunkt should be at Sedan. Much to Guderian's dismay, independent strategic penetration by seven Panzer divisions was absent from the new plan issued on the 24th of February. The bulk of the German officer corps called Halder the gravedigger of the Panzer force. They thought it utterly irresponsible to create a concentration of forces along routes easily cut by French counterattacks. If Allies did not react as expected, the offensive could end in catastrophe. Their objections were ignored while Halder argued Germany's strategic position seemed hopeless anyway. Even the slightest chance of decisive victory should be grasped. Shortly before invasion, Hitler confidently predicted the campaign would take only six weeks. He was most excited over planned military glider attacks on Fort Ében-Émael. Mechelen incident on the 10th of January 1940 saw a German aircraft carrying staff officers with Luftwaffe plans force-land near Maasmechelen in Belgium.
At 21:00 on the 9th of May, the code word was relayed to all German army divisions beginning Case Yellow. Security was so tight many officers were away from their units when the order was sent. German forces occupied Luxembourg virtually unopposed. Army Group B launched its feint offensive during the night into Netherlands and Belgium. On morning of the 10th of May, paratroopers from 7th Flieger Division executed surprise landings at The Hague. These troops landed against Belgian Fort Eben-Emael which helped advance of Army Group B. The French command reacted immediately sending 1st Army Group north in accordance with Plan D. This move committed best forces diminishing fighting power by partial disorganisation it caused. By time French Seventh Army crossed Dutch border they found Dutch already in full retreat. They withdrew into Belgium to protect Antwerp. Luftwaffe effort over Netherlands comprised 247 medium bombers and 147 fighters. Dutch Air Force had strength of 144 combat aircraft half destroyed first day. The remainder accounted for handful of Luftwaffe aircraft shot down. ML managed 332 sorties losing 110 aircraft. German 18th Army captured bridges during Battle of Rotterdam bypassing New Water Line from south. A separate operation organised by Luftwaffe called Battle for The Hague failed. Airfields around Ypenburg Ockenburg and Valkenburg captured in costly success with many transport aircraft lost. Ninety-six aircraft lost to Dutch artillery-fire. Luftwaffe operations resulted in 125 Ju 52s destroyed and 47 damaged representing 50 per cent loss.
On morning of the 13th of May, Panzergruppe Kleist forced three crossings near Sedan executed by 1st 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions. These groups reinforced by elite Infantry Regiment Großdeutschland. Instead slowly massing artillery as French expected Germans concentrated most air power on smashing hole narrow sector. Guderian promised extraordinarily heavy air support during continual eight-hour attack from 08:00 am until dusk. Two Sturzkampfgeschwader dive bomber wings attacked flying 300 sorties against French positions. Total of 3,940 sorties flown by nine Kampfgeschwader Bomber Groups. Some forward pillboxes undamaged while garrisons repulsed crossing attempts of 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions. Morale troops 55th Infantry Division broken by air attacks while French gunners fled. German infantry penetrated up to 6 kilometers into defensive zone by midnight at cost few hundred casualties. Even then most infantry had not crossed river. Much success due actions just six German platoons mainly assault engineers. Disorder begun at Sedan spread further. At 19:00 on the 13th of May troops 295th Regiment holding last prepared defensive line Bulson ridge panicked. They fled creating gap before any tanks crossed river. This Panic of Bulson also involved divisional artillery. Germans had not attacked position would not do so until 07:20 next day. Recognising gravity defeat General Gaston-Henri Billotte urged bridges across Meuse destroyed by air attack.
Guderian continued advance despite halt order from Hitler confirmed by Rundstedt at 11:45 on the 14th of May. Guderian turned 1st and 2nd Panzer Divisions westwards advancing swiftly down Somme valley toward English Channel. On the 15th of May motorised infantry fought way through reinforcements new French Sixth Army assembly area west of Sedan. Ninth Army collapsed surrendering en masse. 102nd Fortress Division surrounded destroyed Monthermé bridgehead by 6th and 8th Panzer Divisions without air support. Second Army seriously damaged while Ninth Army giving way because no time dig in. Erwin Rommel broke through French lines within 24 hours battle beginning. 7th Panzer Division raced ahead refusing allow division rest advancing day and night. Division advanced 40 kilometers in single day. Rommel lost contact Hermann Hoth having disobeyed orders waiting for French establish new line. 7th Panzer Division continued north-west to Avesnes-sur-Helpe just ahead 1st and 2nd Panzer divisions. French 5th Motorised Infantry Division bivouacked path German division vehicles neatly lined roadsides. 7th Panzer Division dashed through them destroying French armour close range. Remaining elements 1st DCR retired three operational tanks defeating only 10 per cent 500 German tanks. By the 17th of May Rommel claimed taken 10,000 prisoners suffering only 36 losses. Guderian delighted fast advance encouraged XIX Korps head channel continuing until fuel exhausted.
British Expeditionary Force BEF pushed back sea where British and French navies evacuated encircled elements from Dunkirk Operation Dynamo. Sixty French and two British divisions made determined stand Somme and Aisne rivers defeated by German combination air superiority armoured mobility. Italy entered war the 10th of June 1940 beginning Italian invasion France. German armies outflanked Maginot Line pushing deep into France occupying Paris unopposed the 14th of June. After flight French government collapse French Army German commanders met French officials the 18th of June negotiate end hostilities. On the 22nd of June 1940 Second Armistice Compiègne signed France Germany. Fascist collaborationist Vichy government led Marshal Philippe Pétain replaced Third Republic. German military occupation began along French North Sea Atlantic coasts hinterlands. After armistice Italy occupied small area south-east France. Vichy regime retained free zone south. Following Operation Torch Allied invasion French North Africa November 1942 Germans Italians took control zone until France liberated Allies 1944. Churchill flew to Paris the 16th of May immediately recognised gravity situation when observed French government burning archives preparing evacuation capital.
On the 22nd of June 1940 the Second Armistice at Compiègne was signed by France and Germany. The fascist and collaborationist Vichy government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain replaced the Third Republic. German military occupation began along the French North Sea and Atlantic coasts and their hinterlands. After the armistice, Italy occupied a small area in the south-east of France. The Vichy regime retained the free zone in the south. Following Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa, in November 1942, in Case Anton, the Germans and Italians took control of the zone until France was liberated by the Allies in 1944. On the 15th of May, Paul Reynaud telephoned Winston Churchill saying We have been defeated. We are beaten; we have lost the battle. Churchill asked Gamelin Where is the strategic reserve? Gamelin replied There is no longer any. Churchill later described hearing this as most shocking moment his life. Gamelin simply replied inferiority numbers equipment methods regarding counter-attack proposals. Hitler worried German advance moving too fast while Halder recorded diary on the 17th of May through deception different interpretations orders stop from Hitler Kleist front line commanders ignored attempts stop westward advance Abbeville.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did the German invasion of France begin in 1940?
The Wehrmacht armies invaded Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and parts of France on the 10th of May 1940. This campaign marked the end of a period known as the Phoney War that had begun after Germany's invasion of Poland on the 1st of September 1939.
Who was the French commander-in-chief during the Battle of France?
Maurice Gamelin served as the French commander-in-chief during the Battle of France. He believed the Ardennes region never favoured large operations despite General Philippe Pétain declaring it impenetrable for any large-scale invasion force.
What date was the Second Armistice at Compiègne signed between France and Germany?
On the 22nd of June 1940 the Second Armistice at Compiègne was signed by France and Germany. The fascist and collaborationist Vichy government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain replaced the Third Republic following this agreement.
Which German division advanced 40 kilometers in a single day during the Battle of France?
The 7th Panzer Division raced ahead refusing to allow rest while advancing day and night. This division advanced 40 kilometers in a single day under the command of Erwin Rommel who broke through French lines within 24 hours.
When did Italy enter the war to begin its invasion of France?
Italy entered the war on the 10th of June 1940 beginning the Italian invasion of France. After the armistice Italy occupied a small area south-east of France while the Vichy regime retained the free zone in the south.