Blitzkrieg in the West. How the Holland, Belgium and France fell

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Blitzkrieg in the West. How the Holland, Belgium and France fell

German soldiers at the gates of the captured Belgian fort Bonsel. May 1940

80 years ago, in May 1940, the Third Reich inflicted a crushing defeat on the Netherlands, Belgium, France and England. On May 10, 1940, German troops invaded Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Already on May 14 the Netherlands surrendered, on May 27 - Belgium, France was defeated and lost the will to resist, the British fled to their island.

The conquest of "living space"


Despite the rapid defeat of Poland, the capture of Denmark and Norway, the military and economic power of the Reich did not match the scale of Hitler's aggressive designs. However, the power of the German armed forces grew rapidly. In 1939, the ground forces already numbered 3,8 million people; by the spring of 1940, the active army had increased by another 540 thousand people. Twice as many tank connections (together 5 became 10). Increased reserve army. A large fleet was under construction. The Reich received a modern air force. War production rose sharply. However, the military and resource potential of the German Empire was much inferior to its opponents. The resources of the British Empire alone were significantly higher than those of the German. Thus, England and France had a good military material base for the victory over the Reich, but did not use it. The allies remained passive to the last, giving the enemy strategic initiative.



Germany, meanwhile, was actively preparing for the French campaign. To buy time for the preparation of a new offensive operation, Hitler pretended to be ready to agree. That Germany has no special claims against France, and the Germans are waiting from England for the return of the colonies selected after the First World War. At this time, new military units were deployed in the Reich, the production of weapons, equipment and ammunition was growing. Inside the country, the Nazis completed the rout of any opposition, suppressed anti-war sentiment. A powerful ideological treatment of the population in combination with repression was methodically carried out. The army and people became a single military machine, confident in its truth.

The Germans, using Hitler’s popularity in Europe, the ideas of Nazism and fascism, created a powerful intelligence network in France, Holland and Belgium. The German command knew almost everything about the enemy: the quantity and quality of troops, their deployment, the state of the military industry, mobilization readiness, tactical and technical data of weapons, etc.

Hitler in November 1939 at a military meeting again sets the task of conquering living space for Germany: "No cleverness will help here, a solution is possible only with the help of the sword." The Führer also speaks of a racial struggle, a struggle for resources (oil, etc.). Hitler notes that the Reich will be able to oppose Russia only victory in the West. It is necessary to defeat France and bring England to its knees.

As a result, Hitler and the military and political leadership of the Reich, despite the adventurism of their plans, quite reasonably believed that it was necessary to solve the problem of the possibility of a war on two fronts, which destroyed the Second Reich. On the path to supremacy in Europe and the world, it is first necessary to strengthen the military-economic potential of Germany by conquering a number of European countries and defeating France and England. Hitler wanted to take historical revenge for the lost war of 1914-1918 over France, which was to unite the nation even more, to give it the spirit of victory. To secure the rear, bring London to its knees (to avoid the complete defeat of England and agree with the British), establish unified power in Europe, prepare bridgeheads from the north and south to strike Russia (having agreed with Finland and Romania, occupying the Balkans). Therefore, the German supreme leadership came to the conclusion that it would be advisable to launch new attacks in the West, leaving Russia for later.


German soldiers under cover of anti-tank self-propelled gun Panzerjager I in Belgium. May 1940


French gunners fire from a 155-mm howitzer of the 1917 Schneider system in the Sedan area. May 1940


The calculation of the German 210-mm heavy mortar is preparing to open fire on French fortifications. In the background is another 210 mm heavy mortar


German soldiers at the taken pillbox line Maginot

Why Paris and London were passively waiting for an enemy strike


The military-political situation of France and England perfectly matched the plans of the Nazis. France, which since the victory in the First World War has maintained the position of one of the great world powers and the leader of Europe, has been in political decline. Politically, the French became junior partners of the British, who until the very last moment “appeased” the aggressor at the expense of their neighbors. London deliberately fomented a great war in Europe in the hope of leaving the new world war as the victor, the head of the new world order. The British Empire was in crisis, it needed a world war to bury its competitors. As a result, England consciously surrendered Hitler all of Europe (including France) step by step and, obviously, had secret agreements with the Fuhrer, including the mission of Rudolf Hess; arrangements are still classified in the British archives. Hitler received a quiet rear in Europe and then had to attack the Russians. After victory in Russia, Berlin and London could build a new world order.

The organization of the French armed forces, their strategy, operational and tactical art froze at the level of the First World War. The French did not pay much attention to the development of advanced military equipment, and the Germans gained an advantage in aviation, communications, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. The French generals basically remained in the military thought in the past, slept through new processes in the development of military art. The French proceeded from a defensive strategy, believed that the enemy, as in the previous war, would exhaust its forces in a positional struggle. France spent huge amounts of money and paid great attention to improving well-equipped fortified lines on the western border. The French thought that the Germans would get bogged down by storming the Maginot line, and then it would be possible to build up reserves, pull up troops from the colonies, and launch a counterattack, taking advantage of the material and military advantage over Germany.

As a result, they were in no hurry with total mobilization; they continued their generally peaceful life. The “strange war” on the Western Front continued until the German strike. Holland and Belgium were in no hurry to establish military cooperation with the French and British. They emphasized their neutrality. The allies reigned flawed defensive strategy, giving the initiative to the enemy. Divisions, tanks and aircraft were evenly stretched along the front. Strategic reserves in case of an unexpected breakthrough of the Germans were not formed. The rear defensive lines were not prepared. There wasn’t even such a thought! The generals looked at politicians, waiting for a speedy peace. The lull at the front was seen as evidence that the German leadership would soon seek peace with England and France in order to organize a common "crusade" against Russia. Officers and soldiers were also convinced that signing a peace with Germany was a matter of time. Even if the Germans try to attack, they will be stopped on the Maginot line, and then they will try to agree. Therefore, they killed time by playing football, cards, watched imported movies, listened to music, made romance with ladies. The fighting in Norway at first alerted the military, but it was still quiet on the French border. Thus, in general, society and the army believed that the Germans would not climb to storm the impregnable forts, and sooner or later they would seek a compromise.

At the same time, the Allies had plenty of time for complete mobilization, organization of stiff defense and preparation of strong counterattacks. Hitler several times postponed the start of the operation. First, from November 1939 to January 1940 - due to the unavailability of the army. Then, in the spring of 1940, due to the loss of secret documents (the so-called Mechelen incident), from March to May, due to the Danish-Norwegian operation. The military conspirators from the Abwehr (military intelligence and counterintelligence of Germany) informed allies about all Hitler's plans of the German army. The Anglo-French command knew about the preparations for the Reich operation in Norway, but missed the moment for the destruction of the German naval landing. The Anglo-French knew about the plans for an attack on France, about the time of the invasion, that the Germans would deliver a distracting blow through Belgium and the Netherlands, and that the main one would be in the Ardennes. But they fell into this trap.

The Western powers seemed to be asleep. A number of "oddities" led to a brilliant victory for Hitler and the Third Reich. Small countries believed in the inviolability of their "neutrality." For example, the Belgian authorities on May 9 (the day before the invasion) restored a 5-day dismissal from the army, showing their disbelief in the "ridiculous rumors" about the war. At this time, German tanks were already approaching the border of Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Western leaders were confident of an imminent alliance with the Third Reich against the Russians. France, which in the First World War showed real heroism and fiercely fought, gave herself to defeat and occupy. England escaped heavy losses, it was simply driven out to the islands. In Berlin, British colonialists and racists were respected, who showed the Germans how to rule the world with the help of colonial "elites", terror, genocide and concentration camps.


French artillerymen near a 220-mm cannon of special power of the Schneider model of 1917 are preparing to open fire on the fortifications of the Western Wall (Siegfried Line) on the German border


German soldiers visiting the French tank Char B1-bis "Mistral", lined in Le Catle


German soldiers posing on the French tank Renault FT-17

The forces of the parties


Hitler concentrated the main forces on the Western Front (only a few cover divisions were left in the East) - 136 divisions, including 10 tank and 6 motorized. A total of 3,3 million people, 2600 tanks, 24,5 thousand guns. Ground forces supported the 2nd and 3rd air fleets - over 3800 aircraft.

The allies had approximately the same allied forces: 94 French, 10 British, Polish, 8 Dutch and 22 Belgian divisions. A total of 135 divisions, 3,3 million people, about 14 thousand guns of caliber above 75 mm and 4,4 thousand aircraft. In terms of the number of tanks and aircraft, the Allies had an advantage. However, the Allies were inferior as armored forces: 3 armored and 3 light mechanized divisions, in total more than 3,1 thousand tanks. That is, the Germans were inferior in the number of tanks, as well as in the quality of equipment (French tanks were better). But German tanks were reduced to attack groups and divisions, and French tanks were dispersed along the front line, distributed between formations and units. As a result, at the beginning of the battle the forces were approximately equal; in some quantitative indicators, the allied armies had an advantage.

If the battle dragged on, then the Germans would have begun big problems. The Allies had the opportunity to relatively quickly increase the number of divisions with the help of total mobilization in France, the transfer of troops from England and the colonies. Also, the French and British colonial empires had an advantage in human, material resources. A protracted war was deadly for the Reich.



The landing of the German parachute landing from transport aircraft Junkers U-52 in the Netherlands


German motorcyclists on the street of a suburb of Luxembourg


German horse scouts cross the river in the Ardennes

"Yellow Plan"


The German offensive was unfolding in accordance with the revised Yellow Plan (Gelb plan). It provided for the invasion of troops in France not only through Central Europe, as was the first version (a repetition of the "Schlieffen Plan" in the basics of 1914), but a simultaneous attack on the entire front to Ardennes. Army Group B linked the enemy with battles in Holland and Belgium, where the allies were supposed to transfer their troops. The main blow of the army group "A" delivered through Luxembourg - the Belgian Ardennes. That is, German troops bypassed the powerful fortified zone on the Franco-German border - the Maginot line, and were supposed to break through to the coast of the English Channel. If successful, German divisions cut off the Belgian enemy group from forces in France, could block and destroy it, and avoided heavy fighting on the French border.

The main task of Army Group B (18th and 6th Army) under the command of von Bock was to forge enemy forces on the northern flank, capture Holland and Belgium, at the second stage of the operation, troops were transferred to France. The success of the entire operation depended on the speed of operations of the 18th and 6th armies of Küchler and Reichenau. They were supposed to prevent the Dutch and Belgian armies from recovering, to organize stubborn resistance at the convenient positions of the "Holland Fortress" (numerous rivers, canals, dams, bridges, etc.), forts of Belgium. To prevent the advance of the Anglo-French troops, who were to enter Belgium with the left wing. Therefore, the decisive role in the operation was played by the advanced units of paratroopers, the 16th Göpner motorized corps (as part of the 6th army).


The main strike was delivered by Army Group A under the command of von Rundstedt (4th, 12th, 16th armies, 2nd reserve army, Kleist’s Panzer Group — two armored and mechanized corps). German troops invading Belgium, moving slowly at first, waiting for the enemy troops to be drawn into the trap, then made a jerk through the Ardennes, breaking through to the sea, to Calais. Thus blocking the allied forces in Belgium and the northern coast of France. At the second stage of the operation, the Rundstedt group was supposed to strike the flank and rear of the French troops on the Maginot Line, to join army group “C” (“C”), which conducted an auxiliary operation on the Franco-German border.

The 4th Army of Kluge was advancing on the right flank of Army Group “A”: it was to break through the defenses of the Belgian army, advance south of Liège, and quickly reach the r. Meuse in the Dinan area, Givier. The 15th Motorized Corps (Gotha Group) began a breakthrough to the sea from the turn of the Meuse. Liszt’s 12th Army and Klest’s Panzer Group (19th and 41st Panzer, 14th Mechanized Corps) were to easily pass through Luxembourg, then cross the inaccessible area of ​​Ardennes and reach Maas on the section of Givier - Sedan. Force the river and advance rapidly to the northwest. The 12th army provided the left flank, tank formations broke through to the sea, to Boulogne and Calais. The left flank of the shock group was covered by the 16th Bush Army. As the armored group broke through to the west and north-west, the 16th Army was to provide the southern flank, first from the Franco-German border, then beyond the Meuse. As a result, Bush’s army was supposed to go to Luxembourg, and then turn the front south.

Army Group C under the command of von Leeb (1st and 7th armies) played a supporting role, was to actively engage the enemy forces and prevent the French from transferring divisions to the north. The 2nd and 3rd air fleets of Sperley and Kesselring solved the task of destroying enemy aircraft at airfields and air, covering the advancing ground forces.

To be continued ...


German anti-aircraft gunners visiting the French light tank AMR 35 ZT 1 of the 2nd light mechanized division, lined in Belgium


German soldiers inspect the ruined fortifications of the Belgian fort Eben-Emael


German paratroopers who took part in the capture of the Belgian fort Eben-Emael. May 12, 1940


German tank Pz.Kpfw. III, standing near the mill on Reysord Street in Holland
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  1. +2
    22 May 2020 05: 12
    Blitzkrieg in the West. How the Holland, Belgium and France fell
    How they fell, how they fell ...... Low. On the other hand, they are ideologically close, there are no contradictions. Why die? Still all energetic Hitler preferred their rulers.
    And England doesn’t care about Europe. Of course, things didn’t go according to plan. From the beginning, Poland, then Benelux, and then we’ll figure it out, if only to send Hitler to the USSR .... feel
  2. +7
    22 May 2020 05: 28
    German paratroopers who took part in the capture of the Belgian fort Eben-Emael.
    On landing gliders, and on the roofs of Belgian fortifications, of course, boldly ...
    1. sen
      +7
      22 May 2020 06: 33
      On landing gliders, and on the roofs of Belgian fortifications, of course, boldly ...

      Thanks mainly to airborne operations, Germany captured the Netherlands and Belgium. A feature of the territories of the latter was the presence of a large number of rivers and canals. Therefore, the Wehrmacht used everything possible: disembarkation from ships, landing of aircraft with infantry, seaplanes, landing from gliders and throwing a parachute landing. In Belgium, during the assault on a strong fort Eben-Emael, not only the landing, but also the attack tactics were unexpected. Parachutists landing on roofs threw grenades and explosive charges into chimneys and ventilation pipes.
  3. -1
    22 May 2020 06: 54
    London deliberately fomented a big war in Europe in the hope of coming out of the new world war as a winner, the head of the new world order. The British Empire was in crisis, it needed a world war to bury competitors. As a result, England consciously surrendered Hitler all of Europe (including France) step by step and, obviously, had secret agreements with the Fuhrer, including the mission of Rudolf Hess; arrangements are still classified in the British archives. Hitler received a quiet rear in Europe and then had to attack the Russians. After victory in Russia, Berlin and London could build a new world order.

    HOW can you become "the head of the world order by making Germany .... STRONGER than yourself ?!" belay lol

    London, pacifying Hitler, in every possible way AVOIDED a world war that undermined his economy, trade, his world leadership (which already happened in the WWII and ended, after WWII).

    Another thing is that trying to make concessions (but France was not part of them) to remove the war, he only brought it closer.

    Did he understand this? Think that theoretically-Yes. But at the same time he hoped - and suddenly Hitler, nevertheless, finally, get drunk and stop?

    and, obviously, had secret agreements with the Fuhrer

    The author does not give evidence, no documents, no evidence, nothing ...
    1. +2
      22 May 2020 07: 56
      There will be no documents here, it is not for nothing that the same flight of Hess is classified. A conspiracy - that's what a conspiracy is for. Look at the things that really happened. When over and over again "did not notice", "did not calculate", "did not expect", probably, this is no longer just a set of coincidences, but purposeful actions. In England, for example, pro-fascist sentiments were so strong that they even had to liquidate some members of the royal family. For example https://youtu.be/JXtbATyGZpU.
      1. 0
        22 May 2020 08: 21
        Quote: DimanC
        There will be no documents here, it is not in vain that the same flight of Hess is classified. A conspiracy - that's what the conspiracy is for. .

        Chatter is also not a document
        Quote: DimanC
        Look at the things that really happened. When time after time "did not notice", "did not calculate", "did not expect"

        What - "didn't notice", "didn't calculate", "didn't expect"?
        Quote: DimanC
        probably this is not just a set of coincidences, but targeted actions

        This is probably a war declared by England of Germany on September 3, 1939
    2. +7
      22 May 2020 08: 11
      Quote: Olgovich
      London, pacifying Hitler, in every possible way AVOIDED a world war that undermined his economy, trade, his world leadership (which already happened in the WWII and ended, after WWII).

      Another thing is that trying to make concessions (but France was not part of them) to remove the war, he only brought it closer.

      Did he understand this? I think, theoretically, yes. But at the same time he hoped - what if Hitler finally got drunk and stopped?

      You, as is customary in Russia, proceed from the postulate that you have been sitting in London since Comrade 24. Stalin with cunning plan.
      In reality, since the 33rd year in London, three governments have changed, which understood differently and differently.

      What can we say about France, where 20 governments have changed in 10 years.
      1. -5
        22 May 2020 08: 26
        Quote: Octopus
        Youas is customary in Russia, proceed from the postulatethat in London sit since the 24th year of comrade Stalin with a cunning plan.

        Are you translating me? lol
        Quote: Octopus
        In reality, since the 33rd year in London, three governments have changed, which understood differently and differently.

        And?
        What are you about?request
        Quote: Octopus
        What should I say about France, where 20 governments have changed in 10 years.

        Quote: Octopus
        What to say about France, where 20 governments have changed in 10 years

        Changed ... And?

        To say what they wanted?
        1. 0
          22 May 2020 08: 38
          What he wanted, he said.

          There was no London. There was MacDonald's office, Baldwin's office and Chamberlain's office. They (even inside the same office) were guided by a variety of considerations when making certain decisions, and among these considerations there were no geopolitical.
          1. -4
            22 May 2020 10: 07
            Quote: Octopus
            What he wanted, he said

            Those. You nothing did not want to say
            Quote: Octopus
            There was no London.

            Oh! belay lol
            Quote: Octopus
            guided by a variety of considerations making certain decisions, and among these considerations there were no geopolitical.
            Oh! belay
            Shaw, they had illnesses, and ..... there was no Foreign Ministry ?! request lol
            1. 0
              22 May 2020 10: 20
              Quote: Olgovich
              Shaw, they had illnesses, and ..... there was no Foreign Ministry ?!

              You will be very surprised, but geopolitics engaged in Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a person who has become addicted to drugs is engaged in boring applied things.

              However, of the British Foreign Ministers of that time, not everyone was involved in drugs, but even less with alcohol.

              Quote: Olgovich
              There was no foreign ministry ?!

              Four: Simon, Chorus, Eden, Gallifax.

              Mostly they tried not to create problems to myself. They did not give a damn about Britain.
              1. -3
                22 May 2020 11: 27
                Quote: Octopus
                You will be greatly surprised, but Maria Zakharova is engaged in geopolitics. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a person who has become addicted to drugs is engaged in boring applied things.

                However, of the British Foreign Ministers of that time, not everyone was involved in drugs, but even less with alcohol.

                You really surprised, WHY is this thread gossiping? What does he have to do with the topic? belay
                Quote: Octopus
                Basically, they tried not to create problems for themselves. They didn't care more or less about Britain.

                Ministry of Foreign Affairs world powers and .... not involved worldlyth politics?! .... belay request

                I have nothing to say... request lol
          2. 0
            22 May 2020 10: 18
            There was no London

            But in fact, the cabinets pursued a successive policy, at least with regard to Germany - under MacDonald Hitler officially denounced the Versailles Agreement, under Baldwin they remilitarized the Rhine region, signed a maritime agreement, it’s ridiculous to talk about Chamberlain - Anschluss, the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the discharge of Poland.
            1. -2
              22 May 2020 10: 23
              Quote: strannik1985
              It's funny to talk about Chamberlain - Anschluss, the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the discharge of Poland.

              Just Chamberlain refused fatal pacifism and took a clear course to the war with Germany from the first days of his premiership (and even before it). And I started it, I remind you.

              Chamberlain's reputation as a compromiser is the result of Churchill's activity, which was very convenient for blaming the deceased like a dashing 90s all their shoals.
              1. 0
                22 May 2020 10: 53
                And I started it, I remind you.

                Great example. Instead of organizing a coalition, supporting opponents of the Reich, strangling the conflict in the bud, Chamberlain did his best so that the local, in fact, conflict escalated into a world war.
                Chamberlain's reputation as a compromiser

                This is an attempt to prepare England a strong position in the coming world conflict.
                1. -3
                  22 May 2020 11: 24
                  Quote: strannik1985
                  Chamberlain did his best so that the local, in fact, conflict escalated into a world war.

                  In May of the 37th conflict is far from in the bud. But Britain in fact does not have an army, and even with the fleet, not everything is clear.
                  Quote: strannik1985
                  This is an attempt to prepare England a strong position in the coming world conflict.

                  Yes. And what is wrong?
                  1. +1
                    22 May 2020 12: 30
                    But Britain in fact has no army, and with the fleet, not everything is clear

                    There are armies of Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, and Poland. In total, much more than the German Armed Forces.
                    But the British were so kind that they returned the gold reserve of Czechoslovakia from their bank.
                    Yes. And what is wrong?

                    But he did not try to stop him; on the contrary, he did everything so that the maximum of countries and peoples was drawn into him.
                    1. -1
                      22 May 2020 12: 36
                      Quote: strannik1985
                      Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Poland.

                      Well, for example, France.

                      How many governments were there for more than 6 months, don’t you remember?
                      Quote: strannik1985
                      But he did not try to stop him; on the contrary, he did everything so that the maximum of countries and peoples was drawn into him.

                      Wow, what a cunning plan. Are you sure about Chamberlain? Was he supposed to land in Hamburg or where?
                      1. 0
                        22 May 2020 13: 50
                        Well, for example, France.

                        "For example, France" pursued exactly the same policy towards Germany - to raise a tame dragon, remaining behind the Maginot Line. Just like England, i.e. the continuity of politics is obvious.
                        Was he supposed to land in Hamburg or where?

                        Until September 1939, there is no need to land anywhere; before Anschluss, there is no need to fight. However....?
                      2. -1
                        22 May 2020 14: 02
                        Quote: strannik1985
                        "For example, France" pursued exactly the same policy towards Germany - to raise a tame dragon,

                        Are you serious about that? Was a country led by a policy in which 33, EMNIP, and governments changed in 40–17?
                        Quote: strannik1985
                        Until September 1939, there is no need to land anywhere; before Anschluss, there is no need to fight. However....?

                        I did not understand the idea. Who should have fought for the independence of Austria from Germany? France, which on March 12 absolutely not government? Premier Blum, who premiered on March 13 less than a month? Should Chamberlain himself come? Suggest, don't be shy.
                      3. 0
                        22 May 2020 14: 11
                        Are you serious about that?

                        Absolutely, at the time of the construction of the Maginot Line, the Weimar Republic could not threaten France in any way, the possibilities are not the same, while here and now the French are doing nothing to limit the military development of Germany.
                        Who should have fought for the independence of Austria from Germany?

                        Do not fight, at least not declare a lack of support and do not give consent to the seizure wink . In November 1937, the British Minister Halifax, during negotiations with Hitler, on behalf of his government agreed to the "acquisition" of Austria by Germany. On February 22, Chamberlain announced that Austria could not count on the support of the League of Nations.
                      4. -1
                        22 May 2020 14: 21
                        Quote: strannik1985
                        at least not declare lack of support and consent to capture

                        Or what?
                        Quote: strannik1985
                        English Minister Halifax

                        When I wrote that not everyone in Britain was involved in drugs, I had in mind primarily Halifax.
                      5. +1
                        22 May 2020 17: 19
                        Or what?

                        Anything, starting with the seizure of accounts and property.
                        Halifax

                        He did not voice his personal position.
                      6. 0
                        22 May 2020 17: 34
                        Quote: strannik1985
                        He did not voice his personal position.

                        )))
                        Halifax, and especially his wording quite specific. Not everyone was delighted with him, including in his office.
                    2. 0
                      22 May 2020 15: 19
                      Quote: strannik1985
                      There are armies of Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, and Poland. In total, much more than the German Armed Forces.

                      France does not want and will not fight outside its borders. The remilitarization of the Rhine region is an example.
                      Poland is trying to play independence and equidistance, plus for her the USSR seems more dangerous than Germany.
                      Quote: strannik1985
                      But he did not try to stop him; on the contrary, he did everything so that the maximum of countries and peoples was drawn into him.

                      But Britain has nothing to stop: the king is naked... Thanks to Mr. Churchill with his "ten years without war", the armed forces of the Empire in 1936 eke out a miserable existence. The fleet only somehow saves the situation, but in the army and air force everything is just awful.
                      There was nothing to reinforce the words of politicians.
                      Maybe war is a failure of diplomacy, but even the best diplomats act on credit. Sooner or later, someone less intelligent than you will demand your contribution back, and if your army cannot cover your debt obligations, you lose.
                      © David Webber
                      Chamberlain even before his premiership began to prepare the country for war. The marvelous picture was then in Britain: the budget watchdog — the Chancellor of the Treasury — increased military spending with his own hands. smile
                      But the problem was that money was directly converted into goods only in the minds of some economists. In fact, this required a small gasket in the form of design bureaus and industry. And with her, too, everything was bad - it took time to deploy production. Even a six-fold increase in the military budget of Britain by 1938 (a good peacekeeper Chamberlain, a) did not allow to restore its aircraft to level. allowing to fight in Europe without catastrophic losses like the PMV. Therefore, in order to gain time, Chamberlain decided to sacrifice Czechoslovakia.
                      1. +1
                        22 May 2020 17: 34
                        Remilitarization of the Rhine region

                        A purely political decision, the military strength of the 3 (three) infantry battalions crossing the Rhine is negligible.
                        Poland

                        For the final resolution of the issue with Danzig, he will turn the bayonets where necessary.
                        But Britain has nothing to stop

                        And it is not necessary, until 1938 inclusive. The forces of France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria are more than enough against Germany.
                        I understand that if at least some measures had been taken (seizure of accounts, property, an embargo on the supply of strategic materials, etc.), they didn’t do anything.
    3. 0
      17 August 2020 15: 37
      What proof is needed. You don't like that Hess hanged himself before his release from prison, for no reason, when the British were on duty. When the investigation began, the soldiers said at the entrance that a car had arrived from which two people in civilian clothes had come out. They left in an hour.
  4. +1
    22 May 2020 08: 02
    The French lost the war before it began.
    They did not want to fight and were not ready to die for their country.
    German propaganda succeeded in convincing many French people that surrender is not a shame for the country, but a road to the "bright future" of a renewed Europe.
    An interesting point - the English soldier received a salary 5 ... 6 times more than his French "neighbor" on the Maginot Line.
    1. -1
      22 May 2020 11: 05
      The French lost the war before it began.

      Politicians didn’t want to fight, and not at all from peacefulness, the French and British outwitted themselves, trying to pit Germany and the USSR.
      The French narot and the army fought quite well, it simply did not have enough personal courage, just like the soldiers and commanders of the Red Army in 1941.
    2. -1
      22 May 2020 23: 23
      This is logical after the victims of the 1st World War 2 times the French did not want to get into it
  5. +1
    22 May 2020 08: 05
    Nemchura, excursions were carried out on the captured objects, unexpectedly. Paratroopers, freeloaders, their mother’s leg, give me a smoke, let me have one, my, I, I forgot this on the plane, I'll give it to you later. Tank V-1, lateral projection, you and I drew such in kindergartens, even more beautiful.
  6. 0
    22 May 2020 08: 25
    actually especially did not want to fight
    1. 0
      22 May 2020 13: 43
      Frankreich!
  7. 0
    22 May 2020 09: 54
    By the way, at one of the airfields, in the Hague region, the Dutch, fearing an airborne landing by landing method, arranged a surprise for the Germans by laying logs across the runway. As a result, a pair of Yu - 52 at dusk sat right on them with all the consequences that follow for themselves)))
    This is not to say that it was quite simple for the Nazis. And when landing and in air battles over Holland there were losses. Plus territory, where the area of ​​the country is comparable to the area of ​​most of our regions, or even less.
  8. +2
    22 May 2020 10: 26
    What happened to Samsonov? Where are the masters of the West, the invisible hand of the United States and other conspiracy theories?
  9. +1
    22 May 2020 10: 52
    The feature of the 1940 military campaign was that, by its beginning, Germany had been at war with France and Britain for as long as 8 months (since the attack on Poland). Nevertheless, the Franco-British allies did everything possible to lose the war (refusal to conduct hostilities and full-scale mobilization, planning aggression against the USSR, surrender to Norway, Denmark, Holland and Belgium).

    The "sudden" tank raid of the Wehrmacht through the inaccessible mountainous and wooded area in the Ardennes is especially delivered - this is with the constant informing of the Allied leadership from the head of German military intelligence Canaris. The lack of preventive measures for the defense of the Ardennes clearly demonstrates the desire of the allies (as earlier the Norwegians, Danes, Dutch and Belgians) to get an excuse to withdraw from the war with Germany and to join the Third Reich in its war against the USSR.

    A clear plan of action for Britain, France and the United States (which had the beginning of the abolition of the Versailles Peace Treaty, external financing of the Nazi regime, surrender of Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland) was realized in 1940 at a small cost in the form of surrender of France, but the fate of the frogs did not interest anyone - not even the frogs .
  10. 0
    22 May 2020 12: 10
    "... However, the Allies were inferior in the quality of armored forces: 3 armored and 3 light mechanized divisions, more than 3,1 thousand tanks. That is, the Germans were inferior in the number of tanks, as well as in the quality of equipment (French tanks were better). .. "
    The French did not have tanks capable of waging a modern maneuver war. Several models of light tanks with good armor were produced by small pilot production series. The basis of the park is cardboard Renault FT-17 from the previous war.
  11. +1
    22 May 2020 16: 21
    Quote: Octopus
    Chamberlain's reputation as a compromiser is the result of Churchill's activities

    Well, yes, Churchill gave Hitler Czechoslovakia, thereby unleashing the Second World War
  12. 0
    22 May 2020 16: 26
    Quote: strannik1985
    The French narot and the army fought quite well, just personal courage was not enough

    they fought for two whole weeks, or rather, were at war. and do you compare them with the Soviet people? you are from france, not otherwise
  13. +1
    22 May 2020 16: 30
    Quote: geologist
    The basis of the park is cardboard Renault FT-17 from the previous war.

    and the basis of the Panzervaff is cardboard T1 with machine guns
    1. +1
      22 May 2020 19: 37
      There were even more motorcycles with wheelchairs and a machine gun.
  14. 0
    24 May 2020 16: 06
    Shaw, he grinds? Until the 40th year, Germany had no plans to fight the USSR. The pact ensured the rear of Germany and the Hitler rode quietly with his back turned to Stalin, hosted Europe.

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