Fall Gelb

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 02:22 AM

Here are some pictures of France in 1939-1940 and the invasion of France, Fall Gelb.

This first set is the Maginot Line and the French Army.

{You lot with dump computers are going to hate this page}

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 04:27 AM

Here's some from the Saar Offensive, the only 'offensive' the French made in the war. Not exactly an Offensive more than a prod at the German lines.
This 'offensive' never intended to reach beyond the Rhine and they actually pulled back before Poland had even surrendered. A withdrawal the Germans didn't intend on hampering.

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 05:05 AM

At 5:30am, May 10th, 1940 Germany's Wehrmacht attacked France and the Lowlands, Fall Gelb had been put into action. The first days were vital, the majority of German forces were amassed on the Ardennes forest but there was a loud, exciting and fercious distraction going on up north in Holland. France, Britain and Belgium only realised the truth when it was too late...

{these pictures are from Holland and Belgium}

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 05:26 AM

On the same day, May 10th, the Luftwaffe unleashed a massive attack against French airfields. French, British and Belgian aircraft were almost wiped out on the ground, over 2000 aircraft were destroyed in the first few days.

By the way, I'm not very good with French aircraft so a little identification would be nice.

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 05:36 AM

French High Command predicted that it would take the Wehrmacht 9 days to penertrate the Ardennes forest and reach the Meuse, on the third day they were on the River Meuse and attacking Sedan.

The French and British forces were still moving north in Belgium to counter the German threat up there. Playing straight into Germany's hands.

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 05:48 AM

By the 13th May, 1940, the French and British air forces had stopped covering their armies advance and turned attention to defending their airfields and destroying the advancing German army. This led to a massive air battle over France, the first air war that the Luftwaffe had against a modern foe.

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 05:50 AM

More from the Air War {Identify the French aircraft}

evangilder · 05-09-2005, 07:39 AM

Cool stuff pd!

mosquitoman · 05-09-2005, 07:42 AM

The sign means no photography because it's a military zone and the RAF aircraft is a Fairey Battle

mosquitoman · 05-09-2005, 07:42 AM

The sign means no photography because it's a military zone and the RAF aircraft is a Fairey Battle

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 08:10 AM

I guessed the sign would mean something like that. Got to love that gun camera footage...

For the other ones, I'll try and keep the amount of pictures down a bit...But wait...I haven't finished on France yet...

By 20th May, only 10 days after the initial invasion, it was obvious that all for those armies caught in Belgium, it was lost. The Battle for Sedan had quickly become the Battle for France, and it was quickly being lost by the Allies. Day by day coastal towns were being captured, the British plan to evacuate British and French troops caught in the coastal town of Dunkerque began on May 27th...this became the greatest evacuation in history lifting off over 300,000 troops of British, French and Belgian origin.

cheddar cheese · 05-09-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

RAFs tragic start.jpg - 27 Time(s)

Thats a Fairey Battle.

Quote:

French Bombers.jpg - 16 Time(s)

Im not sure but I think theyre Bloch MB.200's

Quote:

French Aircraft(1).jpg - 13 Time(s)

Looks like a Farman F.222

Quote:

French Aircraft.jpg - 13 Time(s)

Bloch MB.174 Maybe?

At least I think thats what they all are.

GREAT pictures by the way!

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 12:13 PM

By June 5th, 1940, the last of the British troops had left France for home. British High Command were pleased to have their boys home but were

ed in the loss of life and machine they had suffered aiding France.

It was time though for the Wehrmacht to regroup after snipping away the northern threat. The time had come for France to fall. The panzers regrouped, the infantry regrouped and Luftwaffe regrouped...

plan_D · 05-09-2005, 12:19 PM

The Wehrmacht came against stiff resistance for the first few days. The French fought tougher than in any of the past weeks but it wasn't enough. The French were out-numbered now two to one and the Wehrmacht enacted a breakthrough once again.
The Germans were on the heels every step of the way, they captured Paris on June 14th, 1940. It wasn't long before Marshal Petain requested an armistice. This was signed on June 22nd, 1940...France had fallen, Britain stood alone.