Invasion of France (Dunkirk)
The Germans break through the Dyle Line of defenses and the Ardennes and rush to the coast.
They surround approximately 500,000 troops by May 27th (17 days)
End up at the small French port- Dunkirk.
Battle of France
The British were surrounded and ordered the navy to put together an evacuation.
They appealed to the civilians of great Britain to help out. They were asked to help evacuate. Almost 340,000 troops are rescued in a weeks time.
British troops were priority, and then the French.
Why did the Germans not attack with more force? They basically allowed this evacuation to occur instead of a counter attack and destroying them or capturing them.
Seen as a small Allied victory. "Wars are not won in evacuations. "
Germans had the ability to attack but chose not to.
The fall of Paris
The rest of France fell relatively quickly after the Dyle line fell and the British evacuated.
Italy declares war on France, June 19th.
Paris falls June 14th.
Rest of France falls June 22'nd.
Reasons:
The Maginot line proved useless
The Germans used their tanks much better
The Luftwaffe was too strong
They surround approximately 500,000 troops by May 27th (17 days)
End up at the small French port- Dunkirk.
Battle of France
The British were surrounded and ordered the navy to put together an evacuation.
They appealed to the civilians of great Britain to help out. They were asked to help evacuate. Almost 340,000 troops are rescued in a weeks time.
British troops were priority, and then the French.
Why did the Germans not attack with more force? They basically allowed this evacuation to occur instead of a counter attack and destroying them or capturing them.
Seen as a small Allied victory. "Wars are not won in evacuations. "
Germans had the ability to attack but chose not to.
The fall of Paris
The rest of France fell relatively quickly after the Dyle line fell and the British evacuated.
Italy declares war on France, June 19th.
Paris falls June 14th.
Rest of France falls June 22'nd.
Reasons:
The Maginot line proved useless
The Germans used their tanks much better
The Luftwaffe was too strong
Subjunctive Question: What would have happened to the allies if the Evacuation at Dunkirk had failed?