May 10, 1940 - Germany Invades Low Countries and France, part 1

On May 10, 1940, Germany attacked and invaded the Belgian fortress, Ebem Emael. This would be one of the first of many highly successful attacks on Belgium, the Netherlands, and France.

But, the invasions of Belgium and the Netherlands were mostly a diversion for the real attack, which would come through the Ardennes, a supposedly "impassible" forest in the North-East of France and the South of Belgium. Because the allies thought this forest to be impassible, they thought that the main German offensive would come through central Belgium. The Germans also predicted that the Allies would think this.

When Germany invaded Belgium and the Netherlands, this drew the Allied Forces to a defensive line in Northern Belgium. By May 12, 7 Panzer(tank or armored) divisions awaited the command to force a crossing of the river Meuse. On the 13th, they received this command. Covered by powerful aerial support, the German army crossed the river, and created a bridgehead 3 miles wide and 4 miles deep. The Germans received little counter attack, other than an attempt to destroy the pontoon on which they'd crossed the river, carried out by obsolete Fairey Battles biplanes. This attempt failed miserably.

The Germans then took full advantage of the Allied tardiness, and turned West towards the English Channel. The French were in disarray, not knowing whether the Germans were headed for Paris or the channel. Thus, no major counterattacks were made, other than one local offensive which was repulsed by the German's superior forces.

The Panzers arrived at the Channel on May 19, after traveling nearly 200 miles in 10 days. Now, the Allies' best forces were trapped in a pocket in Northern France and Belgium, with almost assured destruction on the horizon.

The Allies attempted a counterattack on May 24, but, after some initial success, they were beaten back by the end of the day. On the 25th, a German attack separated the British and Belgians, leading to the capitulation of Belgium on the 28th. The remaining Allied forces were trapped in a small area around the coastal city of Dunkirk.

Then came a surprising order to the Panzers, from Hitler himself. All armored advances were to stop, until the supply lines could catch up to them. Hitler wanted to save the Panzers for the rest of France, and let the Luftwaffe (German air force) destroy the Allied forces...

To be continued.

Sources: The Historical Atlas of World War II | Alexander Swanston and Malcolm Swanston