INVASION OF FRANCE 1940

The conquest of France and the Netherlands during the summer of 1940
was a conspicuous triumph for Germany's Army and Air Force
leading  to the defeat of the French , Dutch and Belgian armies.
After the successful Polish campaign  the previous September, Hitler relished the
triumph of his original Blitzkrieg (Lightning War) code named Fall Gelb
with its emphasis on mobility and fluidiry.

As dawn broke on 10 May, a special force and a swarm of gliders swooped down to destroy the heavily armoured fort of Eben Emael, a key Belgian defence, which was considered impregnable. TheBelgians shared the belief in the Maginor Line, the elaborate system of fortifications running along France eastern frontier. fast moving German armies had no trouble in outflanking it. seven panzer divisions totalling through and into the wooded hills and densely forested. the area was only lightly screened by franch cavalry, in the belief that the narrow roads of the region could not accommodate a large armoured force.

the spearhead commander had spelt out to his men the prime objective- the channel. his superior General had command of the principal panzer forces in the plan scything through the Allied front's centre to the English Channel, trapping the British Expeditionary Force and the first and seventh French Armies agaist the sea.

PANZER THRUST- French forces many on leave were hastily recalled following an order from General. took up position on the Meuse between Namur and Givet crossing the water to clash with approaching through the Ardennes.
Western part of the Belgian province of Luxembourg, crossing the French frontier just where the Belgians had left many road blocks undefended. Keen to press his advantage.

ROAD TO PARIS

next day received a despairing telephone call from the french premier.

The road to Paris is open. With forces hastily assembled near the town of Montcornet, north of Paris, colonel charles de Gaulle launched three offensive actions, all but reaching Guderian's advanced headquarters, only to be repulsed. a shaky defensive perimeter, to where the British and French could retreat, was assembled around Dunkirk. the situation in Europe deteriorated still further. the concern was how British and French forces could escape annihilation at Dunkirk. Nevertheless battalions clashed with panzer, Division near Arras costing the Germans casualties and the loss of divisions had penetrated to the coast. the BEF was cut off communications severed and ammunition short. to make matters worse the Belgian arms capitulated.

AFTERMATH
Many reasons have been cited for Hitler's order to Guderian to halt his forces at Dunkirk. It might have been advice that the boggy terrain near the coast was unsuitable for tanks, or maybe it was the setback at Arras - or perhaps von Rundstedt's wish to regroup forces for the assault on Paris. Churchill was determined to keep France in the war and sent what reinforcements he could, landing at Cherbourg and Brest, but progress in all areas was hopeless in the face of the panzers and Stukas. the unstoppable Juggernaut of the Wehrmacht entered the undefended French capital. Within months, Hitler's interest was turning to the east.