May 27, 1940 - Germany Invades Low Countries and France, part 2

But, on May 27, the command was given for the Allies to evacuate Dunkirk. Using a fleet which ranged from Royal Navy warships to fishing boats and pleasure steamers, the Allies evacuated 112, 546 Belgian and French soldiers, as well as 224, 585 Brittish troops. This took place amidst the Luftwaffe's bombings. Although this was one of the most amazing military evacuations, it came at a great cost. The Luftwaffe succeeded in sinking many ships and killing many soldiers. Also, most of the British forces' equipment remained in France.

Also remaining in France, were 50 Allied divisions, defending the country against 120 German divisions. The French received some reinforcement's from the British Royal Air Force, and managed to gather 1,000 aircraft, versus the Germans' 3,000 aircraft. These defenders were stretched across a 230 mile defensive line, from the English channel to the Maginot line.

The German Panzer divisions were separated into army groups A and B. Defending against army group B, which attacked on June 5, the French army resisted with valor. But by June 8, some of the German army had broken through, and was headed for Paris. Army group A attacked on the 9th. Though the Allies continued to fight bravely, they also continued to fall back. The French command was unable to organize defensive lines fast enough against the German Panzer divisions, protected by the Luftwaffe. On June 12th, German forces broke into Paris. However the French government had evacuated Paris two days earlier, and gone to Tours.

By June 17, Britain withdrew the last of its forces from France. By this time, an area which contained about 30% of France's industrial base had been overrun, and it was now nearly impossible to supply an army of 50-60 divisions. Supplies and equipment were being used faster than they were being supplied.

One June 22, Germany and Italy (which had invaded France from the South on the 20th) presented their terms of an armistice to the French government. An armistice was signed two days later, separating France into territories under German and Italian control.

The war in France was over

Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II