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"Part of what I loved - and love - about being around older people is the
tangible sense of history they embody. I'm interested in military history, for
instance, because both my grandfathers fought in World War II. I'm interested in
writing because one of those grandfathers wrote books."
Jon Meacham
tangible sense of history they embody. I'm interested in military history, for
instance, because both my grandfathers fought in World War II. I'm interested in
writing because one of those grandfathers wrote books."
Jon Meacham
The Invasion of France (Dunkirk)
- The Germans break through the Dyle Line of defenses and the Ardennes and rush to the coast
- surround approximately 0.5 million troops by May 27 (in 17 days)
- It took 17 days for France to fall after holding for 5 years in WWI
Dunkirk
- The only positive outcome for the allies - "The last stand"
- British ordered the navy to evacuate them and the civilians
- 340,000 troops are rescued in weeks
- The Germans hold up while this occurs?
- Seen as a small Allied victory
- Wars are not won on successful evacuations
The FALL OF PARIS
- The rest of France fell relatively quickly after this
- Italy declares war on France June 10
- Paris falls June 14
- Rest of France falls June 22
- Reasons:
- The Maginot line proved useless
- The Germans used their tanks much better
- The Luftwaffe was too strong
- Political dissention in France
Summary
Germans invaded France and it took them only 17 days to fall France. British ordered the navy to evacuate them after they were surrounded. They succeeded and this was seen as a small allied victory. After Paris fell, the rest of France fell quite easily. The reasons were that the Maginot line was useless, Germans used their tanks better, the Luftwaffe was too strong and there was political dissention in France.