10 Facts About the Fall of France in World War II

Abdullah Cheema

22 Sep, 2024

After Germany invaded Poland, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. In 1940, Hitler turned his attention to France, aiming to conquer its southwestern neighbor. Despite a heavily fortified border, the German forces managed to occupy France in just six weeks. Here are ten key facts about this rapid and significant event:

A Large Yet Defensive Army

The French Army was one of the largest in the world, but the experience of World War I left it with a defensive mindset. This reliance on the Maginot Line hindered its effectiveness.

Ignoring the Maginot Line

Germany bypassed the Maginot Line, launching its main assault through the Ardennes in northern Luxembourg and southern Belgium as part of the Sichelschnitt plan.

Blitzkrieg Tactics

The Germans employed Blitzkrieg tactics, using tanks and aircraft for rapid territorial gains. This military strategy had roots in innovations developed in Britain during the 1920s.

Breakthrough at Sedan

From May 12 to 15, the Battle of Sedan marked a crucial breakthrough for the Germans, allowing them to pour into France.

Dunkirk Evacuation

The miraculous evacuation from Dunkirk rescued 193,000 British and 145,000 French troops. Despite leaving around 80,000 behind, Operation Dynamo surpassed expectations, using 200 Royal Navy ships and 600 volunteer vessels.

Mussolini's Declaration of War

On June 10, Mussolini declared war on the Allies. His first offensive through the Alps, unknown to the Germans, resulted in 6,000 casualties, primarily from frostbite, while French losses were only 200.

Further Evacuations in June

By mid-June, an additional 191,000 Allied troops were evacuated from France. However, the British faced devastating losses when the Lancastria was sunk by German bombers on June 17.

Germans Reach Paris

By June 14, German forces had entered Paris, and the French surrender was formalized in an armistice signed at Compiègne on June 22.

Mass Displacement

The German advance created approximately 8 million refugees from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as countless people fled their homes.

Axis Troop Numbers

During the Battle of France, Axis troops numbered around 3.35 million. Initially matched by Allied forces, by the armistice on June 22, the Allies suffered 360,000 casualties, with 1.9 million taken prisoner, compared to 160,000 losses for German and Italian forces.