Fall of France

May 10 – June 25, 1940 · Western Europe Theater

Phases

1. 1May 10 — The Matador’s CapeMay 10–12, 1940
2. 2May 13–15 — Sedan: The Sickle Cut BeginsMay 13–15, 1940
3. 3May 16–Jun 4 — Race to the Sea & DunkirkMay 16 – June 4, 1940
4. 4Jun 5–25 — Fall Rot & the ArmisticeJune 5–25, 1940

May 10–12, 1940

Germany invades the Low Countries at dawn: glider troops land on top of the “impregnable” fortress of Eben-Emael, paratroopers seize the Dutch bridges, and Rotterdam’s heart is bombed out. It is exactly what the Allies expect — the best French and British armies wheel north into Belgium to meet it. But Army Group B is the matador’s cape. The bull is walking into the sword.

• ➤Army Group B — The feint — into Holland and Belgium
• ➤6th Army — Across the Maastricht appendix
• ➤French 1st Army & BEF — The Dyle Plan — the best armies wheel north into the trap
• ●Eben-Emael — gliders land on the fortress roof
• ●Rotterdam — bombed; Holland capitulates May 15