Changes

==Low Countries==

==Low Countries==

Just a week into the invasion, the German troops had broken through the French northern defences. General Hans von Sponeck's 22nd Infantry Division quickly overwhelmed the Dutch units defending the Valkenburg, Ypenburg and Ockenburg airfields, and the bombing of Rotterdam and killing of almost 900 civilians persuaded General Wilkelman to surrender on 15 May. And although German forces in the attack on The Hague encountered strong resistance and lost 1,000 captured in counterattacks from the Dutch 1st Corps<ref>"By late evening, the Dutch had taken approximately 1,000 German prisoners, and Sponeck himself was among the wounded. For the time being the attack on The Hague was a failure." World War II in Europe: An Encyclopedia, David T. Zabecki, Routledge, 2015</ref>, the German thrust through the Netherlands met with eventual success. The 7th French Army having crossed the Dutch border, had no option but to fall back and take up positions outside Brussels.  

Just a week into the invasion, the German troops had broken through the French northern defences. General Hans von Sponeck's 22nd Infantry Division quickly overwhelmed the Dutch units defending the Valkenburg, Ypenburg and Ockenburg airfields, and the bombing of Rotterdam and killing of almost 900 civilians persuaded General Wilkelman to surrender on 15 May. And although German forces in the attack on The Hague encountered strong resistance and lost 1,000 captured in counterattacks from the Dutch 1st Corps,<ref>"By late evening, the Dutch had taken approximately 1,000 German prisoners, and Sponeck himself was among the wounded. For the time being the attack on The Hague was a failure." World War II in Europe: An Encyclopedia, David T. Zabecki, Routledge, 2015</ref> the German thrust through the Netherlands met with eventual success. The 7th French Army having crossed the Dutch border, had no option but to fall back and take up positions outside Brussels.  

==Meuse==

==Meuse==

On 12 May, the leading element of Gruppe von Bismarck reached the Meuse River at Dinant while the 31st Panzer Regiment reached Yvou but neither could cross the river. While the 5th Panzer Division experienced much traffic congestion in the advance to the Meuse, General Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division (advancing across country and tracks to avoid French mines) made good progress and reached a crossing point at Houx, establishng a small bridgehead. The next day, three German battalions crossed the river and secured the bridgehead.

On 12 May, the leading element of Gruppe von Bismarck reached the Meuse River at Dinant while the 31st Panzer Regiment reached Yvou but neither could cross the river. While the 5th Panzer Division experienced much traffic congestion in the advance to the Meuse, General Erwin Rommel's 7th Panzer Division (advancing across country and tracks to avoid French mines) made good progress and reached a crossing point at Houx, establishng a small bridgehead. The next day, three German battalions crossed the river and secured the bridgehead.

On 13 May, the 1st Panzer Brigade emerged from the Ardennes near Sedan, on the River Meuse.  In a two-day battle, the German panzer divisions crossed the river, despite fierce resistance from the French conscript divisions and near-suicidal attacks by Allied aircraft.  The ''Großdeutschland'' Regiment was unable to advance through  the woods of Bois de la Marfee due to fierce resistance. On the night of 13/14 May, the advance of the infantry of the 1st Panzer Division was also halted, with the German troops reported to be suffering from exhaustion.  However, a good part of the French defences collapsed on 14 May, when the 55th and 71st Infantry Division withdrew unauthorized. That day, two  French armoured cavalry battalions joined two regiments from the French-officered 71st North African Infantry Division to counterattack from Chémery and the Plateau of Bulson, causing great concern among the German commanders, for only one company from the 2nd Panzer Regiment had crossed the Meuse and reached La Boulette Pass at this point in the fighting . Eventually four panzer companies and supporting infantry from the ''Großdeutschland'' Regiment defeated the French attack, capturing the towns of Signy and Connage. During the battle, the Panzer Corps under General Heinz Guderian had suffered about 120 killed and 400 wounded.<ref>"During the Sedan breakthrough battle on 13 and 14 May, Panzer Corps Guderian suffered about 120 dead and 400 wounded." The Blitzkrieg Legend, Karl-Heinz Frieser, Naval Institute Press, 2013</ref>Guderian, without proper authorization, ordered the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions to cross the Meuse and race forward, while the ''Wietersheim'' Motorized Infantry Corps waited for their turn to move on the other side.  As General Guderian later explained, ''"the essence"'' of the success at Sedan was not to the ''"breakthrough action"'' but the immediate exploitation of the breakthough with an armoured advance deep behind enemy lines.  

On 13 May, the 1st Panzer Brigade emerged from the Ardennes near Sedan, on the River Meuse.  In a two-day battle, the German panzer divisions crossed the river, despite fierce resistance from the French conscript divisions and near-suicidal attacks by Allied aircraft.  The ''Großdeutschland'' Regiment was unable to advance through  the woods of Bois de la Marfee due to fierce resistance. On the night of 13/14 May, the advance of the infantry of the 1st Panzer Division was also halted, with the German troops reported to be suffering from exhaustion.  However, a good part of the French defences collapsed on 14 May, when the 55th and 71st Infantry Division withdrew unauthorized. That day, two  French armoured cavalry battalions joined two regiments from the French-officered 71st North African Infantry Division to counterattack from Chémery and the Plateau of Bulson, causing great concern among the German commanders, for only one company from the 2nd Panzer Regiment had crossed the Meuse and reached La Boulette Pass at this point in the fighting . Eventually four panzer companies and supporting infantry from the ''Großdeutschland'' Regiment defeated the French attack, capturing the towns of Signy and Connage. During the battle, the Panzer Corps under General Heinz Guderian had suffered about 120 killed and 400 wounded.<ref>"During the Sedan breakthrough battle on 13 and 14 May, Panzer Corps Guderian suffered about 120 dead and 400 wounded." The Blitzkrieg Legend, Karl-Heinz Frieser, Naval Institute Press, 2013</ref> Guderian, without proper authorization, ordered the 2nd and 10th Panzer Divisions to cross the Meuse and race forward, while the ''Wietersheim'' Motorized Infantry Corps waited for their turn to move on the other side.  As General Guderian later explained, ''"the essence"'' of the success at Sedan was not to the ''"breakthrough action"'' but the immediate exploitation of the breakthrough with an armoured advance deep behind enemy lines.  

The 1st and 2nd Panzer Division advance was so fast that there were hardly any major combat actions. Many French units along the chain of hills west of Chémery withdrew or surrendered. Lacking a centrally placed strategic reserve, the French commanders ordered their divisions out of Belgium to respond to the new threat emerging from the bridgehead.

The 1st and 2nd Panzer Division advance was so fast that there were hardly any major combat actions. Many French units along the chain of hills west of Chémery withdrew or surrendered. Lacking a centrally placed strategic reserve, the French commanders ordered their divisions out of Belgium to respond to the new threat emerging from the bridgehead.

With the French defences collapsing, a British evacuation plan known as Operation ''Dynamo'' was hastily prepared by Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay of the Royal Navy. His strategy included the French Navy that would help the British evacuate the British and French armies.   

With the French defences collapsing, a British evacuation plan known as Operation ''Dynamo'' was hastily prepared by Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay of the Royal Navy. His strategy included the French Navy that would help the British evacuate the British and French armies.   

On 23 May, the French destroyer ''Orage'' was sunk by the Luftwaffe. During the night of 23/24 May, the French destroyer ''Chacal'' was hit by German bombers and shells from German artillery and sunk. On May 29, the British destroyer ''Wakeful'' was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of 600 men. On 30 May, the French destroyers <em>Bourrasque </em>with 600 troops embarked, struck a mine and sunk. On 31 May, the French destroyer ''Sirocco'' was sunk by German motor torpedo boats. On 1 June, the French destroyer ''Foudroyant'' was sunk in a German air attack.    

On 23 May, the French destroyer ''Orage'' was sunk by the Luftwaffe. During the night of 23/24 May, the French destroyer ''Chacal'' was hit by German bombers and shells from German artillery and sunk. On May 29, the British destroyer ''Wakeful'' was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of 600 men. On 30 May, the French destroyers ''Bourrasque ''with 600 troops embarked, struck a mine and sunk. On 31 May, the French destroyer ''Sirocco'' was sunk by German motor torpedo boats. On 1 June, the French destroyer ''Foudroyant'' was sunk in a German air attack.    

Between 26 May and 4 June, a period during which the panzer battalions were withing 10 miles from Dunkirk, 338, 226 British, French, Belgian and Polish troops were evacuated to Britain, including 13,053<ref>"Of these, 211,532 were listed as physically fit British troops, 13,053 as British sick or wounded, and 112,546 as Allies, mostly French but including some Belgians." Britain, Volume 4, p. 4, British Information Services, 1944, 1945</ref>British sick and wounded. Six British destroyers, eight troopships and 243 smaller boats were lost during the evacuation.  

Between 26 May and 4 June, a period during which the panzer battalions were within 10 miles from Dunkirk, 338, 226 British, French, Belgian and Polish troops were evacuated to Britain, including 13,053<ref>"Of these, 211,532 were listed as physically fit British troops, 13,053 as British sick or wounded, and 112,546 as Allies, mostly French but including some Belgians." Britain, Volume 4, p. 4, British Information Services, 1944, 1945</ref> British sick and wounded. Six British destroyers, eight troopships and 243 smaller boats were lost during the evacuation.  

According to the book ''The British Army in France After Dunkirk'' (Pen & Sword, 2009), 40,000 British troops were killed, wounded or captured at Dunkirk. Around 3,500<ref>"Enemy action against ships at sea and the beaches resulted in the deaths of some 3,500 British troops out of the total of 68,111 killed, wounded and taken prisoner during the retreat to Dunkirk." Churchill's Channel War 1939-45, Robert Jackson, Osprey Publishing, 2013</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=20000603&id=7pJSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k28DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5586,988786&hl=en Dunkirk veterans commemorate 60th anniversary of epic rescue]</ref>British were killed in the retreat and evacuations with 1,500<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/578885/Dunkirk-evacuation-World-War-Two-Germany-Britain The miracle of Dunkirk: 40 facts about the famous evacuation]</ref>French civilians believed killed in and around Dunkirk.  

According to the book ''The British Army in France After Dunkirk'' (Pen & Sword, 2009), 40,000 British troops were killed, wounded or captured at Dunkirk. Around 3,500<ref>"Enemy action against ships at sea and the beaches resulted in the deaths of some 3,500 British troops out of the total of 68,111 killed, wounded and taken prisoner during the retreat to Dunkirk." Churchill's Channel War 1939-45, Robert Jackson, Osprey Publishing, 2013</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=20000603&id=7pJSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=k28DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5586,988786&hl=en Dunkirk veterans commemorate 60th anniversary of epic rescue]</ref> British were killed in the retreat and evacuations with 1,500<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/578885/Dunkirk-evacuation-World-War-Two-Germany-Britain The miracle of Dunkirk: 40 facts about the famous evacuation]</ref> French civilians believed killed in and around Dunkirk.  

There were many acts of bravery in the BEF. Sergeant Major Gus Jennings was killed neutralizing a German stick grenade in an effort to save fellow soldiers from the ''Royal Warwickshire'' Regiment. Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews was awarded the Victoria Cross for single-handedly contesting the advance of a German platoon, allowing eight of his men to escape to safety. .  

There were many acts of bravery in the BEF. Sergeant Major Gus Jennings was killed neutralizing a German stick grenade in an effort to save fellow soldiers from the ''Royal Warwickshire'' Regiment. Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews was awarded the Victoria Cross for single-handedly contesting the advance of a German platoon, allowing eight of his men to escape to safety. .  

==Riviera==

==Riviera==

On 10 June, the Italian invaders attacked through the Little Saint Bernard Pass in the French Alps but encounter stiff resistance from the French mountain divisions under General René Olry and dispersed. The Italians eventually work their way<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19400614&id=kBtPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uB8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3472,149769&hl=en ITALIANS REPORT ADVANCE ON NICE ]</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19400614&id=NtdOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=if4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2349,2026371&hl=en Attack By French Repelled]</ref>round the French defenders and capture Menton, Briançon and part of Uodane, overrunning a French rearguard in their advance past Lablachère along the Riviera Road, having finally broken through the determined French defences at three places in the Isère Valley.<ref>"The group of two armies ... scored only some minor local successes in the Isere valley, near Uodane, and Briancon and Mentone on the Riviera was taken after heavy fighting." World War II German Military Studies: Introduction & Guide, Donald S. Detwiler, Charles Burton Burdick, Jürgen Rohwer, p. 19, Garland Publications, 1979</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19400625&id=cTQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZkwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4087,3576962&hl=en Italy To Take Over Nice And Savoy As War With France Ceases]</ref>

On 10 June, the Italian invaders attacked through the Little Saint Bernard Pass in the French Alps but encounter stiff resistance from the French mountain divisions under General René Olry and dispersed. The Italians eventually work their way<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19400614&id=kBtPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uB8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3472,149769&hl=en ITALIANS REPORT ADVANCE ON NICE ]</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19400614&id=NtdOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=if4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2349,2026371&hl=en Attack By French Repelled]</ref> round the French defenders and capture Menton, Briançon and part of Uodane, overrunning a French rearguard in their advance past Lablachère along the Riviera Road, having finally broken through the determined French defences at three places in the Isère Valley.<ref>"The group of two armies ... scored only some minor local successes in the Isere valley, near Uodane, and Briancon and Mentone on the Riviera was taken after heavy fighting." World War II German Military Studies: Introduction & Guide, Donald S. Detwiler, Charles Burton Burdick, Jürgen Rohwer, p. 19, Garland Publications, 1979</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19400625&id=cTQbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZkwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4087,3576962&hl=en Italy To Take Over Nice And Savoy As War With France Ceases]</ref>

==French Armistice==

==French Armistice==

On 5 June, the German panzer divisions renewed their attacks. That day, a panzer unit after an attack on the Somme was within striking distance of the French capital.  

On 5 June, the German panzer divisions renewed their attacks. That day, a panzer unit after an attack on the Somme was within striking distance of the French capital.  

On 10 June, Italy entered the war on Germany's side with the ''Regia Aeronautica'' bombing the cities of Orléans and Marseille. <ref>"The Luftwaffe also attacked the Citroën works on the Quai Javel in Paris and targets as far away as Cherbourg and the Loire valley, while the Italian Air Force hits Orleans and Marseille." Forgotten Blitzes: France and Italy under Allied Air Attack, 1940-1945, Claudia Baldoli, Andrew Knapp, p. 7, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012</ref>That day, the French government fled Paris for Bordeaux, declaring Paris an open city.

On 10 June, Italy entered the war on Germany's side with the ''Regia Aeronautica'' bombing the cities of Orléans and Marseille.<ref>"The Luftwaffe also attacked the Citroën works on the Quai Javel in Paris and targets as far away as Cherbourg and the Loire valley, while the Italian Air Force hits Orleans and Marseille." Forgotten Blitzes: France and Italy under Allied Air Attack, 1940-1945, Claudia Baldoli, Andrew Knapp, p. 7, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012</ref> That day, the French government fled Paris for Bordeaux, declaring Paris an open city.

<nowiki> </nowiki>On 11 June, Churchill visited Paris, attempting to stiffen whatever French resolve remained, but unable to offer any more significant military support.  

<nowiki> </nowiki>On 11 June, Churchill visited Paris, attempting to stiffen whatever French resolve remained, but unable to offer any more significant military support.  

==Second BEF==

==Second BEF==

The British 1st Armoured Division (under General Jonathan Forse), 51st Highland Division (under General Victor Fortune)<ref>[http://51hd.co.uk/history/valery_1940 51ST HIGHLAND DIVISION]</ref> and ''Beauman'' Division along with the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, continued to fight as part of the "Second BEF" <ref>"With France still fighting, the British government had reached the conclusion that the BEF should be reconstituted at Cherbourg and continue to fight alongside their French allies. To form the core of this new force the 52nd Lowland Division and the 1st Canadian Division were hastily shipped to Cherbourg." Dunkirk: The Men They Left Behind, Sean Longden, Hachette, 2009</ref>under General Sir Alan Brooke but were overrun at Forges-les-Eaux, St Valéry-en-Caux and elsewhere on 8, 12 and 17 June, losing many tanks.  

The British 1st Armoured Division (under General Jonathan Forse), 51st Highland Division (under General Victor Fortune)<ref>[http://51hd.co.uk/history/valery_1940 51ST HIGHLAND DIVISION]</ref> and ''Beauman'' Division along with the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, continued to fight as part of the "Second BEF" <ref>"With France still fighting, the British government had reached the conclusion that the BEF should be reconstituted at Cherbourg and continue to fight alongside their French allies. To form the core of this new force the 52nd Lowland Division and the 1st Canadian Division were hastily shipped to Cherbourg." Dunkirk: The Men They Left Behind, Sean Longden, Hachette, 2009</ref> under General Sir Alan Brooke but were overrun at Forges-les-Eaux, St Valéry-en-Caux and elsewhere on 8, 12 and 17 June, losing many tanks.  

During Operation ''Ariel ''(the final evacuation of British troops from  [[St Nazaire]]), the troopship ''Lancastria'' was sunk on 17 June with the loss of 1,738<ref>[https://maritimecyprus.com/2016/06/18/flashback-in-history-rms-lancastria-worst-loss-of-life-on-a-british-ship-june-17th-1940-video-2/ RMS Lancastria: Worst Loss of Life on a British Ship]</ref>British troops, civilians and crew.  

During Operation ''Ariel ''(the final evacuation of British troops from  [[St Nazaire]]), the troopship ''Lancastria'' was sunk on 17 June with the loss of 1,738<ref>[https://maritimecyprus.com/2016/06/18/flashback-in-history-rms-lancastria-worst-loss-of-life-on-a-british-ship-june-17th-1940-video-2/ RMS Lancastria: Worst Loss of Life on a British Ship]</ref> British troops, civilians and crew.  

on 3 July, the French destroyer <em>Branlebas </em>that had taken part in Operations <em>Dynamo </em>and<em> Ariel  </em>foundered during a storm off Dartmouth.  

on 3 July, the French destroyer ''Branlebas ''that had taken part in Operations ''Dynamo ''and'' Ariel  ''foundered during a storm off Dartmouth.  

==English Channel Islands==

==English Channel Islands==

On 30 June, the English Channel Islands - comprising Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm - were occupied after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill concluded them impossible to defend after much loss of British equipment at Dunkirk, St Nazaire and other ports of evacuation.

On 30 June, the English Channel Islands - comprising Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm - were occupied after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill concluded them impossible to defend after much loss of British equipment at Dunkirk, St Nazaire and other ports of evacuation.

In the retreat to Dunkirk and other ports, the BEF was forced to leave behind 2,400 artillery guns, 445 tanks, 65,000 vehicles and 68,000 tonnes of ammunition.<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/578885/Dunkirk-evacuation-World-War-Two-Germany-Britain The miracle of Dunkirk: 40 facts about the famous evacuation]</ref>Winston Churchill,  who had become Prime Minster on 10 May, hailed Dunkirk as a ''miracle'' and described the British determination as the ''"Dunkirk spirit"'', but also warned that ''"wars are not won by evacuations"''.

In the retreat to Dunkirk and other ports, the BEF was forced to leave behind 2,400 artillery guns, 445 tanks, 65,000 vehicles and 68,000 tonnes of ammunition.<ref>[http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/578885/Dunkirk-evacuation-World-War-Two-Germany-Britain The miracle of Dunkirk: 40 facts about the famous evacuation]</ref> Winston Churchill,  who had become Prime Minister on 10 May, hailed Dunkirk as a ''miracle'' and described the British determination as the ''"Dunkirk spirit"'', but also warned that ''"wars are not won by evacuations"''.

==Mers-el-Kébir==

==Mers-el-Kébir==