Battle of France Map
The Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, was the successful German invasion of France beginning on 10 May 1940,
defeating primarily French forces. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium. When the French and British were pushed back to the sea by the fast moving and well organized German operation, the British government decided to evacuate their British Expeditionary Force (BEF) along with several French divisions at Dunkirk in Operation Dynamo.
When France was left to fend for itself after the British evacuation, Germany launched a second operation Fall Rot (Case Red), which was commenced on 5 June and left the French government indecisive on the best course of action. Only part of the French forces were mobilised and the government was divided on the best course of action since many politicians wanted peace with Germany. Under the cover of the political turmoil in Paris, German forces outflanked the Maginot Line and pushed deep into France with little resistance. German forces subsequently arrived in Paris on 14 June and met with French officials seeking an alliance with Germany. This alliance was led by Marshal Philippe Pétain who, against the wishes of many Frenchmen, publicly announced his desire for an armistice with Germany.
On 22 June, an armistice was signed between France and Germany, which resulted in the division of France whereby Germany would control the north and west, a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast, and an
unoccupied zone, the zone libre was to be run by Marshall Philippe Petain himself under the newly formed Vichy government. France remained under Axis control until after the Allied landings in 1944.
defeating primarily French forces. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium. When the French and British were pushed back to the sea by the fast moving and well organized German operation, the British government decided to evacuate their British Expeditionary Force (BEF) along with several French divisions at Dunkirk in Operation Dynamo.
When France was left to fend for itself after the British evacuation, Germany launched a second operation Fall Rot (Case Red), which was commenced on 5 June and left the French government indecisive on the best course of action. Only part of the French forces were mobilised and the government was divided on the best course of action since many politicians wanted peace with Germany. Under the cover of the political turmoil in Paris, German forces outflanked the Maginot Line and pushed deep into France with little resistance. German forces subsequently arrived in Paris on 14 June and met with French officials seeking an alliance with Germany. This alliance was led by Marshal Philippe Pétain who, against the wishes of many Frenchmen, publicly announced his desire for an armistice with Germany.
On 22 June, an armistice was signed between France and Germany, which resulted in the division of France whereby Germany would control the north and west, a small Italian occupation zone in the southeast, and an
unoccupied zone, the zone libre was to be run by Marshall Philippe Petain himself under the newly formed Vichy government. France remained under Axis control until after the Allied landings in 1944.
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Countries Involved:
Allies: France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Luxemburg Allies' Strengths: 144 divisions 13,974 guns 3,383 tanks 2,935 aircraft 3,300,000 troops Casualties and Losses: 360,000 dead or wounded, 1,900,000 captured 2,233 aircraft 2,260,000 casualties |
Countries Involved:
Axis: Germany and Italy Axis Strengths: 141 divisions 7,378 guns 2,445 tanks 5,638 aircraft 3,350,000 troops Casualties and Losses: 157,621 dead or wounded 1,236-1,345 aircraft destroyed 323-488 aircraft damaged 795 tanks destroyed 163,650 casualties |
