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The Fall of France. The Maginot Line. a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defenses, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I.
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The Maginot Line a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defenses, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I Symbolic of France’s defensive mindset and inflexible thinking Sitzkrieg – Phoney War characterized the opening months of WW2
The SchlieffenPlan vs. The Manstein Plan • Schlieffen was obvious plan that was expected • Manstein’s plan was surprising • Tanks able to plow through the thick Ardennes Forest and hillside • Swift passing though the “low countries”
Battle Begins The Germans with an army of 3 million men attacked The Netherlands and Belgium who had declared neutrality on May 10th 1940 The Netherlands Surrender May 15 Belgium fights on until it surrenders May 28
France Surrenders German Forces arrive in Paris on June 14 1940 June 22, armistice signed which divided France into an Nazi occupied North a “free” Vichy South, and an Italian occupied south east
