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In September 1939, the German war machine invaded Poland and World War II began. The fall of France and its Britain declared against Germany in 1939. The French army 1940 was in theory as strong as the Germany's. It had a vast Empire sudden and a sophisticated arms industryshocking. It French leaders believed that they had also established prepared for a series of fortifications along the eastern border of the country along potential war with Germany, known as the Maginot Lineand were well prepared. The Line was designed to keep German forces out of France. InitiallyTragically, France and Great Britain appeared to be a match for Germanythey were not. However, in a period Within months of weeks in the late spring and early summer of 1940German invasion, it became clear that that France was woefully unprepared for the German onslaughtcollapsed. Why did France suffered a humiliating defeat and was surrender so quickly occupied by Germany. ? Its failure was a result of a hopelessly divided French political elite, a paucity of quality military leadership, rudimentary French military tactics. On the battlefield France faced a vastly more prepared German army that utilized both more advanced weapons and sophisticated tactics. It was a mismatch.

In September 1939, the German war machine invaded Poland, and World War II began. France and its Britain declared against Germany in 1939. The French army was in theory as strong as Germanys. It had a vast Empire and a sophisticated arms industry. It had also established a series of fortifications along the eastern border of the country along with Germany, known as the Maginot Line. The Line was designed to keep German forces out of France. Initially, France and Great Britain appeared to be a match for Germany.  However, in weeks in the late spring and early summer of 1940, it became clear that France was woefully unprepared for the German onslaught. France suffered a humiliating defeat and was quickly occupied by Germany. Its failure was a result of a hopelessly divided French political elite, a lack of quality military leadership, rudimentary French military tactics. On the battlefield, France faced a vastly more prepared German army that utilized both more advanced weapons and sophisticated tactics. It was a mismatch. ====BackgroundWhat happened to France after World War One?====

France had been fearful of Germany ever since the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. In this war, the Prussians had quickly defeated the French and occupied much of the country. In World War I, The Germans had come very close to defeating the French , and without allied assistance , the country would have lost to Germany. Despite being among the victors in World War One , the French still dreaded a conflict with Germany. During the Versailles treaty negotiations after the collapse of Germany during World War, French negotiators were adamant Germany's military had to be neutralized.  The French, led by Prime Minister Clemenceau, adopted a hard line towards the Germans in 1918-1919. There was a thaw in the Franco-German relationship in the mid-1920s, and there was hope of a genuine rapprochement between the two largest powers in continental Europe.

The French initially led by Prime Minister Clemenceau, adopted a hard line towards the Germans in 1918-1919. There was a thaw in the Franco-German relationship in the mid-1920s and there was hope of a genuine rapprochement between the two greatest powers in continental Europe. However, the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler meant that the French were suddenly faced with a potentially aggressive regime in Germany. The French adopted a diplomatic policy of appeasement and sought to placate Hitler by offering him concessions, such as allowing him to re-militarize the Rhineland. The French Still, France took no chances and began to prepare their defenses.

The French devoted a huge considerable amount of resources and capitial capital to the construction of the Maginot Line. This defensive line was named after a French Defence Minister. The French constructed a long line of fortifications along their eastern border with German. It stopped at the Belgian border. The French stationed all their forces behind the Maginot Line and adopted a defensive posture.  ====When Did Germany Invade France?====In September 1939, the French with the British declared war on Germany after Hitler invaded Poland. For several months, there was little or no activity on the Western Front. This period was known as the ‘Phoney War’. However, in the Spring of 1940, the Germans shifted their attention west and went on the offensive. offensive The Battle of France started on the invasion on May 10th, 1940 and only lasted only 46 days. Paris fell to the Germans on the 14th of June, after the virtual collapse of the French Army. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud resigned on the June 16th during the catastrophe. His successor, Marshal Philippe Pétain, began negotiations to end the war. By July 25th, France was forced to surrender.  The German army suffered 157,000 casualties during the invasion of France, but the Allies's lost were considerably worse. The Allies lost over twice as many men and overall had 360,000 casualties. A further two million men were captured. Some 300,000 British and French troops escaped the Germans after being evacuated by naval forces at Dunkirk. The Germans occupied the majority of France. In the south of France, the Vichy Regime established a semi-autonomous political entity. Vichy maintained control over the majority of the French Colonies. <ref>Bond, Brian, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0080377009/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0080377009&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8c2293a2e966ba28b14946a14239a02d Britain, France and Belgium, 1939–1940]''. (London, Brassey's, 1990), p.178</ref>{{Mediawiki:TabletAd1}} ====How did the German Army move so quickly through France?====[[File: Eric Von Manstein.jpg|thumbnail|300px|left|Eric Von Manstein 1940]]Between the world wars, the German army developed the [[How Did the German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?|Blitzkrieg tactics]]. This strategy was based on high-speed and mobile attacks on the enemy’s weak points, and it proved devastating in France.<ref> Bond, p. 111</ref> The German victory was founded on a plan developed by the great military strategies, General Erich von Manstein. He adopted the Schlieffen Plan that was almost successful in WW I.<ref> Bond, p. 117 </ref>  However, rather than advance on a broad front through Belgium, the Germans focused two-thirds of their forces, including most of their tanks, in the Ardennes region of Belgium. France and Belgium did reinforce the fortifications in this region because they assumed that the terrain was unsuitable for tanks. When the Germans attack came through the Ardennes, they caught the French and their British allies by surprise because the French believed it was impassable to tanks.  Having successfully made their way into France, German forces then employed a tactic known as the ‘sickle stroke’. Sweeping across the northern plains of France at great speed, they divided the French and British forces into two parts. The British army was left isolated in Belgium and the French were left to bear the brunt of the German forces. <ref>Blatt, Joel, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDY69LI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EDY69LI&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=98a5e102ae32052fa58ceb0d44dbe87b The French Defeat of 1940: Reassessments]</i> (Providence, RI, Berghahn, 1997), p. 111</ref>

The Battle of France lasted only 46 days, from the German invasion on the 10th of May to the surrender of France on the 25th of June 1940. Paris fell to the Germans on the 14th of June, after the virtual collapse of army was substantially better than the French Army. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud resigned on and the 16 June during the catasptropheBritish. His successor, Marshal Philippe Pétain, began negotiations to end Hitler had built up the war. The German Germany army approximately suffered 157,000 casualties and in particular the invasion of France. The Allies lost over twice as many men, with 360,000 casulaties. A further two million were captured. Some 300,000 British and French troops escaped the Germans after being evacuated by naval forces at Dunkirkair force (Luftwaffe). The Germans occupied the majority of Francehad developed superior weapons. In the south of Franceparticular, they had developed superior aircraft such as the Vichy Regime established a semi-autonomous political entity. Vichy maintained control over Stuka dive bomber and the majority of Messerschmitt ME fighter plane, that wreaked havoc on the French Colonies. allies <ref>BondBlatt, Brian, ''[https://wwwp.amazon.com/gp/product/0080377009117</ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0080377009&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8c2293a2e966ba28b14946a14239a02d Britain, France >. The Germans placed a great deal of emphasis on mobile and Belgium, 1939–1940]''armored warfare. (LondonThey had superior tanks, Brassey'ssuch as Panzer Mk iv, 1990), pwhich easily overcame the allies in almost every tank engagement in the Battle of France. Even though the German army was superior to the French in many ways the Fall of France was not inevitable.178</ref>

====Superior Was France prepared for the German Army and tacticsinvasion?====[[File: Eric Von MansteinBundesarchiv_Bild_121-0412,_Frankreich,_Panzer_Somua_S35,_Geschütz.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|left|Eric Von MansteinCaptured French Somua S35 tanks being used by Germany in 1940 after the Fall of France.jpg 1940]]The German army developed French military tactics were extremely outdated at the start of the [[How Did war. They had failed to recognize that warfare had fundamentally changed since the German Military Develop Blitzkrieg?|Blitzkrieg tactics]]First World War. This was a tactic based on highThey were over-speed and mobile attacks on reliant upon the enemy’s weak points Maginot Line, and it proved devastating they believed that this would stop any German invasion in Franceits track.<ref> BondSince they did not believe that could defeat Germany outright, p. 111</ref> The German victory was founded on a plan developed by they hoped that the great military strategies, General Erich von Manstein. He adopted Maginot would drive up casualties and Germany to the Schlieffen Plan that was used so nearly successful in WW I.<ref> Bond, pnegotiating table. 117 </ref> However, rather than advance They relied on a broad front through Belgium, defensive tactics and failed to grasp the Germans focused two-thirds of their forces, including most impact of their modern tanks, in the Ardennes region of Belgium. This area was weakly defended, as they believed that the terrain was unsuitable for tanks. When the Germans did attack through the Ardennes they caught the French and their British allies by surpriseaircraft.

French believed it was impassable The over-reliance on the Maginot Line meant that they were too defensive. The Maginot Line also failed to tanks. Having successfully made their way into France, German forces then employed a tactic known as protect the ‘sickle stroke’entire French border. Sweeping across the northern plains Instead of attacking France at great speeddirectly, they divided Germany avoided the Maginot line by invading Belgium. French and British forces into two partsmilitary planners have failed to plan for this contingency. The British army was defensive line only partially defended France and indeed left isolated in the country open to an invasion via Belgium and the . The French were left High Command also failed to bear the brunt of launch an offensive against Germany after the German forces <ref>Blatt, Joel, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDY69LI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00EDY69LI&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=98a5e102ae32052fa58ceb0d44dbe87b The French Defeat of 1940: Reassessments]</i> (Providence, RI, Berghahn, 1997), p. 111</ref>attacked Poland.

The German French army was much superior to simply hid behind the French Maginot Line and waited for the BritishGermans to attack. Hitler had built up When the Germans finally did attack through the Germany Ardennes, the French army was trapped in bunkers, and in particular its fortifications were immediately outflanked. Even when the air force (Luftwaffe). The Germans had developed superior weapons. In particularinvaded Belgium, they had developed superior aircraft such as the Stuka dive bomber French General Staff continued with their cautious policy and were slow to respond to the Messerschmitt ME fighter plane, that wreaked havoc on the allies German threat.<ref> BlattCooper, pM. ''[https://www.amazon. 117<com/gp/product/0517436108/ref>. =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0517436108&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=089457e8c42c04ed8e9d351e9727ad63 The Germans placed a great deal of emphasis on mobile German Army 1933–1945, Its Political and armoured warfareMilitary Failure]''. They had superior tanks(Briarcliff Manor, such as Panzer Mk ivNY: Stein and Day, which easily overcame the allies in almost every tank engagement in the Battle of France. It must be remembered that although the German army was superior to the French in many ways1978), that this did not mean that the Fall of France was inevitablep.201 </ref>

====French Tactics and Equipment were Poor====[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_121-0412,_Frankreich,_Panzer_Somua_S35,_Geschütz.jpg|left|thumbnail|300px|Captured French Somua S35 tanks being used by Germany in 1940.]]French military tactics were extremely outdated at the start of the war. They had failed to recognize that warfare had fundamentally changed since the First World War. They were over-reliant upon the Maginot Line and they believed that this would stop any German invasion in its track. Since they did not believe that could defeat Germany outright, they hoped that the Maginot would drive up casualties and Germany to the negotiating table. They relied on defensive tactics and failed to grasp the impact of modern tanks and aircraft. This over-reliance on the Maginot Line meant that they were too defensive. The Maginot Line also failed to protect the entire French border. Instead of attacking France directly, Germany avoided the Maginot line by invading Belgium. French military planners has failed to plan for this contingency. The defensive line only partially defended France and indeed left the country open to an invasion via Belgium. The French High Command also failed to launch an offensive against Germany after the German attacked Poland. The French army simply hid behind the Maginot Line and waited for the Germans to attack. When the Germans finally did attack through the Ardennes the French army was trapped in bunkers and its fortifications were immediately outflanked. Even when the Germans invaded Belgium, the French General Staff continued with their cautious policy and were slow to respond to the German threat.<ref> Cooper, M. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0517436108/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0517436108&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0cdh-20&linkId=089457e8c42c04ed8e9d351e9727ad63 The German Army 1933–1945, Its Political and Military Failure]''. (Briarcliff Manor, NY: Stein and Day, 1978), p. 201 <ad/ref>

While the French army was large and had been well resourced, it had not been modernized. It was still based on the idea that the next war would resemble the Great War. As a result, the French did not believe that any war with Germany, would be a mobile one, but rather a war of attrition. This meant that they failed to develop tank tactics that took advantage of their tanks offensive capabilities.<ref> Copper, p, 137</ref> Even when the French did effective field effective equipment, such as the SOMUA S35 tanks, they were mismanaged by French calvary cavalry commanders. The Somua S35 tanks did not realize their true potential until they were commandeered by German commanders commandeered them and utilized on the Eastern Front. During the invasion, German Panzer tanks quickly overcame the French defenses on the plains of Northern France. The French air forces were also not a match for the Germans in aerial combat. The French army was unable to cope with the German Blitzkrieg tactics and was quickly defeated after only six weeks of fighting.<ref>Copper, p, 134</ref>

====Poor Military and Political Leadership====In 1940 During the French general staff was led by General Maurice Gamelaninvasion, an officer widely respected. A veteran and war hero of the First World War, he was credited developing German Panzer tanks quickly overcame the strategy that led to the decisive French victory at defenses on the Marne in 1914. He had also tried unsuccessfully, to modernize the army. But Gamelin was suffering from a serious illness, whose symptoms included poor concentration levels, memory loss and other cognitive difficulties Gamelin’s own memoirs, published after the war showed symptoms of paranoia and delusions of grandeur.<ref>Jackson, Julian T. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0192805509/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192805509&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aa6895f6029c163adf1d3e187d64e538 The Fall plains of Northern France: The German Invasion of 1940]</i>. (Oxford UP, 2003), p. 234</ref> The military leadership below Gamelin was generally poor. They French air forces were slow to respond to also no match for the Germans and there was a marked reluctance to take any initiative and go on the attackin aerial combat. The political leadership of France French army was also very poor. According unable to one French commentator during cope with the war, they could not inspire the French people, they were more interested in German Blitzkrieg tactics and was quickly defeated after only six weeks of fighting among themselves that the Germans.<ref>JacksonCopper, p. 235, 134</ref>

====Why did France was bitterly divided between the left have Poor Military and Political Leadership?====In 1940 the rightFrench general staff was led by General Maurice Gamelan, an officer widely respected. This lack A veteran and war hero of unity in France the First World War, he was crippling credited with developing the strategy that led to the decisive French victory at a crucial juncture the Marne in the war1914. The division He had also extended tried unsuccessfully, to modernize the relationships between army. But Gamelin was suffering from a serious illness, whose symptoms included poor concentration levels, memory loss and other cognitive difficulties Gamelin’s memoirs, published after the military war showed symptoms of paranoia and political leadership delusions of Francegrandeur.<ref>Jackson, Julian T. <i>[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/0192805509/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0192805509&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=aa6895f6029c163adf1d3e187d64e538 The French Generals were rights wing and distrusted the left wing politicians who ran Fall of France: The German Invasion of 1940]</i>. French ministers also did not trust the judgement of their generals(Oxford UP, 2003), p. 234</ref> The French officer corps military leadership below Gamelin was more worried about a Communist revolution than a German invasiongenerally poor. For exampleThey were slow to respond to the Germans, General Weygand and there was more concerned with maintaining social stability in a marked reluctance to take any initiative and go on the wake attack. The political leadership of the German invasion than actually fighting the GermansFrance was also very poor. Many later accused some According to one French Generals of being traitors. Perhaps commentator during the greatest weakness in war, they could not inspire the French leadership was that people, they did not have a true war leader; as one Frenchman stated were more interested in 1942 they ‘had no Churchill’. If France had a leader of fighting among themselves that the calibre of Clemenceau in 1940, perhaps the outcome of the Battle of France could have been differentGermans. <ref> Why Did the French Army Collapse So Quickly? – <i>Omnibooks Magazine</i>, (London July, 1942)Jackson, p. 6235</ref>

====Defeatism in France====France was a powerful country with a large army and a vast Empire that stretched around bitterly divided between the globe, but it was not cohesive. It had stark political conflicts left and many politicians were more loyal to their political party than their country. People on both the extreme Left such as the Communists or the extreme right hated the French government so virulently, their support of the French government be best described as half-hearted after the German invasion. Many ordinary people were disgusted with the leaders This lack of the Third Republic, who were widely seen as professional politicians who were both venal and corrupt.<ref>Jackson, p.117</ref> Furthermore, defeatism unity in France was rampant crippling at the start of WW II. France had a low birth rate and many were convinced that crucial juncture in the country was degenerating, based on ideas current at the time. <ref> Bloch, Marc, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393319113/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393319113&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b9916b35c01e23b2ac59f9ebb5e33d42 Strange Defeat: A Statement of Evidence Written in 1940]'' (New York, NY: Norton, 1946), pwar. 117</ref> The cultural pessimism in France meant that many, in division also extended to the relationships between the political and military elite believed that France could not defeat Germany and that any efforts to resist the Germans were pointless. Many people believed that political leadership of France was a nation in decline and that her greatest days had passed. This led to a spirit of defeatism in France in the Spring The French Generals were rights wing and Summer of 1940, that played an important role in distrusted the Fall of left wing politicians who ran France. Despite French ministers also did not trust the valiant efforts judgment of many their generals. The French men against the officer corps was more worried about a Communist revolution than a German invasion, the French government and military were ill-equipped both politically and militarily to meaningfully contest Germany. <ref>Copper, p, 144</ref>

===Conclusion===While France For example, General Weygand was protected by more concerned with maintaining social stability in the Maginot Line and wake of the German invasion than actually fighting the Germans. Many later accused some French Generals of being traitors. Perhaps the greatest weakness in the French leadership was that they did not have a fairly large army it put up little resistance to Germanytrue war leader; as one Frenchman stated in 1942 they ‘had no Churchill’. It only took If France had a few weeks for leader of the enitre country to fall. The reasons for the sudden defeat caliber of France Clemenceau in 1940 were numerous and varied. They included a failure of leadership, both at perhaps the military and outcome of the political level. The army Battle of France was not only poorly led but had could have been equipped with inferior arms and equipmentdifferent. Moreover<ref> Why Did the French Army Collapse So Quickly? – <i>Omnibooks Magazine</i>, (London July, the Maginot Line not only failed to protect France1942), but it encouraged a defensive mentality that allowed the Germans to take the initiative at crucial points during the invasionp. The French public were also bitterly divided. These political divisions and incompetent leadership convinced many French citizens that their country could not defeat Germany. All these combined factors combined ensured a swift between May and June 1940.6<div class="portal" style="width:85%;"/ref>

*[[How did Adolf Hitler become the Fuehrer Fuhrer of Germany?]]