German invasion of Belgium (1940)

2777:, commander of the British II Corps sought to put the matter of cooperation right with King Leopold. The King discussed the matter with Brooke, who felt a compromise could be reached. Van Overstraeten, the King's military aide, stepped in and said that the 10th Belgian Infantry Division could not be moved. Instead, the British should move further south and remain completely clear of Brussels. Brooke told the King that the 10th Belgian Division was on the wrong side of the Gamelin line and was exposed. Leopold deferred to his advisor and chief of staff. Brooke found Overstaeten to be ignorant of the situation and the dispositions of the BEF. Given that the left flank of the BEF rested on its Belgian ally, the British were now unsure about Belgian military capabilities. The Allies had more serious grounds for complaint about the Belgian anti-tank defences along the Dyle line, that covered the Namur–Perwez gap which was not protected by any natural obstacles. Only a few days before the attack, General Headquarters had discovered the Belgians had sited their anti-tank defences ( 1527:

along the Albert Canal and the Meuse, without withdrawing, until the French Army arrived to support them. Gamelin was not keen on pushing his Dyle plan that far. He was concerned that the Belgians would be driven out of their defences and would retreat to Antwerp, as in 1914. In fact, the Belgian divisions protecting the border were to withdraw and retreat southward to link up with French forces. This information was not given to Gamelin. As far as the Belgians were concerned, the Dyle Plan had advantages. Instead of the limited Allied advance to the Scheldt, or meeting the Germans on the Franco-Belgian border, the move to the Dyle river would reduce the Allied front in central Belgium by 70 kilometres (43 mi), freeing more forces for use as a strategic reserve. Belgium felt this would save more Belgian territory, in particular the eastern industrial regions. It also had the advantage of absorbing Dutch and Belgian Army formations (including some 20 Belgian divisions). Gamelin justified the Dyle Plan after the defeat using these arguments.

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The army group was in a position to advance westward to Mons, outflank the BEF and Belgian Army protecting the Dyle–Brussels sector, or turn south to outflank the French 9th Army. German losses had been heavy at Hannut and Gembloux. The 4th Panzer Division was down to 137 tanks on 16 May, including just four Panzer IVs. The 3rd Panzer Division was down by 20–25 percent of its operational force; for the 4th Panzer Division 45–50 percent of its tanks were not combat ready. Damaged tanks were quickly repaired, but its strength was initially greatly weakened. The French 1st Army had also taken a battering and despite winning several tactical defensive victories it was forced to retreat on 15 May owing to developments elsewhere, leaving its tanks on the battlefield, while the Germans were free to recover theirs.

3445: 3151: 2557: 3624: 3725: 3256: 3128: 2993: 2553:. The cost was the loss of five aircraft and 30 dead. With the fort breached, the Belgian 4th and 7th infantry divisions were confronted by the prospect of fighting an enemy on relatively sound terrain (for armour operations). The 7th Division, with its 2nd and 18th grenadier regiments and 2nd Carabineers, struggled to hold their positions and contain the German infantry on the west bank. The Belgian tactical units engaged in several counterattacks. At one point, at Briedgen, they succeeded in retaking the bridge and blowing it up. At the other points, Vroenhoven and Veldwezelt, the Germans had had time to establish strong bridgeheads and repulsed the attacks. 3344:

free, there was only enough food for two weeks. Leopold did not expect the BEF to jeopardize its own position in order to keep contact with the Belgian Army, but he warned the British that if it persisted with the southern offensive the Belgians would be overstretched and their army would collapse. King Leopold suggested the best recourse was to establish a beach-head covering Dunkirk and the Belgian channel ports. The will of the CIGS won out. Gort committed just two infantry battalions and the only armoured battalion in the BEF to the attack, which despite some initial tactical success, failed to break the German defensive line at the

3049: 2649: 1813: 3332:. Ironside arrived at British General Headquarters at 06:00 am on 20 May, the same day that continental communications between France and Belgium was cut. When Ironside made his proposals known to Gort, Gort replied such an attack was impossible. Seven of his nine divisions were engaged on the Scheldt and even if it was possible to withdraw them, it would create a gap between the Belgians and British which the enemy could exploit and encircle the former. The BEF had been marching and fighting for nine days and was now running short of ammunition. The main effort had to be made by the French to the south. 329: 316: 3123:

frustration of the crews of these light Panzers in face of heavier armoured French machines that some resorted to desperate expedients. One account speaks of a German Panzer commander attempting to climb on a Hotchkiss H-35 with a hammer, presumably to smash the machine's periscopes, but falling off and being crushed by the tank's tracks. Certainly by day's end, Prioux had reason to claim that his tanks had come off best. The battlefield around Hannut was littered with knocked-out tanks–the bulk of which were German Panzers–with by far and away the bulk of them being Panzer Is and IIs.

216: 1256: 1352: 1660:, was to occupy the central position in the Brussels–Ghent gap supporting the Belgian Army, holding the main defensive positions, some 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Brussels. The main defensive position ringing Antwerp would be protected by the Belgians, barely 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the city. The French 7th Army was to reach the Zeeland or Breda, just inside the Dutch border. The French would then be in a position to protect the left flank of the Belgian Army forces protecting Antwerp and threaten the German northern flank. 1498:). By 1935, the Belgian defences were completed. Even so, it was felt that the defences were no longer adequate. A significant mobile reserve was needed to guard the rear areas, and as a result it was considered that the protection against a sudden assault by German forces was not sufficient. Significant manpower reserves would also be needed, but the public rejected a bill to require longer military service and training was rejected on the basis that it would increase Belgium's military commitments, perhaps in conflicts far from home. 3045:

Blenheims which had attacked enemy columns and communications in the Sedan area, 45 had been lost. On 15 May, daylight bombing was significantly reduced. Of 23 aircraft employed, four failed to return. Equally, owing to the Allied fighter presence, the German XIX Corps War Diary states, "Corps no longer has at its disposal its own long-range reconnaissance ... are no longer in a position to carry out vigorous, extensive reconnaissance, as, owing to casualties, more than half of their aircraft are not now available."

3416:(all Belgian) were drawn up side by side. Two further signal corps were guarding the coast. These formations were then largely holding the eastern front as the BEF and French forces withdrew to the west to protect Dunkirk, which was vulnerable to German assault on 22 May. The eastern front remained intact, but the Belgians now occupied their last fortified position at Leie. The Belgian I Corps, with only two incomplete divisions, had been heavily engaged in the fighting and their line was wearing thin. On that day, 258: 239: 1436: 9986: 150: 3381: 3336: 291: 177: 1415:, seemed to be the soundest defensive strategy. The weakness of the plan was that it abandoned most of eastern Belgium to the Germans. Militarily it would put the Allied rear at right angles to the French frontier defences; while for the British, with their communications located at the channel ports, would be parallel to their front. Despite the risk of committing forces to central Belgium and an advance to the Scheldt or Dyle lines, which would be vulnerable to an outflanking move, 189: 2645:. Devoid of any centre of resistance, the German assault engineers had cleared the obstacles unchallenged. The delay that the Belgian Ardennes Light Infantry, considered to be an elite formation, could have inflicted upon the advancing German armour was proved by the fight for Bodange, where the 1st Panzer Division was held up for a total of eight hours. This battle was a result of a breakdown in communications and ran contrary to the operational intentions of the Belgian Army. 303: 3212:. The Belgians were reluctant to abandon Brussels and Leuven, especially as the Dyle line had withstood German pressure well. The Belgian Army, the BEF and the French 1st Army, in a domino effect, was ordered/forced to retire on 16 May to avoid their southern flanks from being turned by the German armoured forces advancing through the French Ardennes and the German 6th Army advancing through Gembloux. The Belgian Army was holding the German Fourteenth Army on the 3005:

resistance would last long enough for a defensive line to be established. Nevertheless, a brief lull fell on the Dyle front on 11 May which enabled the Allied armies to get into position by the time the first major assault was launched the following day. Allied cavalry had moved into position and infantry and artillery were reaching the front more slowly, by rail. Although unaware of it, the First Allied Army Group and the Belgian Army outnumbered and outgunned

3663:). Water supplies were damaged and cut off, gas and electricity supplies were also cut. Canals were drained and used as supply dumps for whatever ammunition and food-stuffs were left. The total remaining area covered just 1,700 km, and compacted military and civilians alike, of which the latter numbered some 3 million people. Under these circumstances Leopold deemed further resistance useless. On the evening of 27 May, he requested an armistice. 2637:'s Panzer Corps. The regiment had blocked the roads and, against the odds, prevented French reinforcements reaching the Belgian–Franco-Luxembourg border, but it also destroyed Belgian telephone communications. This inadvertently prevented the Belgian field command recalling the units along the border. The 1st Belgian Light Infantry did not receive the signal to retreat and engaged in a severe fire-fight with the German armour, slowing down their advance. 201: 1598: 251: 3561:

withdrawn 28,000 British non-fighting troops. Boulogne had fallen and Calais was about to, leaving Dunkirk, Ostend and Zeebrugge as the only viable ports which could be used for evacuation. The advance of the 14th German Army would not leave Ostend available for much longer. To the west, the German Army Group A had reached Dunkirk and were 4 miles (6.4 km) from its centre on the morning of 27 May, bringing the port within artillery range.

3864: 3528:, which forced their defeat. The Belgians blamed the French and British for not providing air cover. The German bridgehead dangerously exposed the eastern flank of the southward stretched BEF's 4th Infantry Division. Montgomery dispatched several units of the 3rd Infantry Division (including the heavy infantry of the 1st and 7th Middlesex battalions and the 99th Battery, 20th Anti-tank Regiment), as an improvised defence. 3687:, stayed in Belgium to endure five years of self-imposed captivity. In response to the advice of his government to set up a government-in-exile Leopold said, "I have decided to stay. The cause of the Allies is lost." The Belgian surrender came into effect at 04:00 on 28 May. Recriminations abounded with the British and French claiming the Belgians had betrayed the alliance. In Paris, the French Premier 1976: 2964:(ZG 26), and bomber units LG 1, 2 and KG 27 were also involved. Over Belgium and France, the day was disastrous for the British: 27 Hurricanes were shot down. In light of the withdrawal to the main defensive line, which was now being supported by the British and French armies, King Leopold issued the following proclamation to improve morale after the defeats at the Albert Canal: 1712: 3548:

withdrawal to Yser. One battalion on march NE of Ypres was practically wiped out today in attack by sixty aircraft. Withdrawal over open roads without adequate fighter support very costly. Whole of their supplies are east of Yser. They strongly represent attempt should be made to restore the situation on Leie by British counter-attack for which opportunity may last another few hours only.

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into retreating French columns and inflicted heavy losses on them. The pursuit created severe problems for the French artillery. The combat was so closely fought that the danger of friendly fire incidents were very real. Nevertheless, the French, setting up new anti-tank screens and Hoepner, lacking infantry support, caused the Germans to attack positions head-on. During the following

3368:, the Belgians were then to extend their front to free further parts of the BEF for the attack. The French 1st Army would relieve two more divisions on the right flank. Leopold was reluctant to undertake such a move because it would abandon all but a small portion of Belgium. The Belgian Army was exhausted and it was an enormous technical task that would take too long to complete. 3118:

in the morning battle on 12 May, encircling several French battalions. The combat power of the French 2 DLM managed to defeat the German defences guarding the pockets and freeing the trapped units. Contrary to German reports, the French were victorious on that first day, preventing a Wehrmacht break-through to Gembloux or seizing Hannut. The result of the first day's battle was:

2738:(JG 26) under the command of Hans-Hugo Witt, which was responsible for 82 of the German claims in aerial combat between 11 and 13 May. Despite the apparent success of the German fighter units, the air battle was not one-sided. On the morning of 11 May ten Ju 87s of StG 2 were shot down attacking Belgian forces in the Namur–Dinant gap, despite the presence of two 3671:

arms, there are 200,000 Belgians of military age in France, and greater resources than Belgium had in 1914 which to fight back. By present decision the King is dividing the Nation and delivering it into Hitler's protection. Please convey these considerations to the King, and impress upon him the disastrous consequences to the Allies and to Belgium of his present choice.

3605:, deep in the Allied rear. The Belgians had practically exhausted all available means of resistance. The disintegration of the Belgian Army and its front caused many erroneous accusations by the British. In fact, on numerous occasions, the Belgians had held on after British withdrawals. One example was the taking over of the Scheldt line, where they relieved the British 3609:, allowing it to retire through their ranks. Despite this, Gort and to a greater extent Pownall, showed anger at the Belgian king's decision to surrender on 28 May, considering it to undercut the war effort. . When it was inquired if any Belgians were to be evacuated, Pownall was reported to have replied, "We don't care a bugger what happens to the Belgians". 3068:(12–14 May). While the German Army Group A advanced through the Belgian Ardennes, Army Group B's 6th Army launched an offensive operation toward the Gembloux gap. Gembloux occupied a position in the Belgian plain; it was an unfortified, untrenched space in the main Belgian defensive line. The gap stretched from the southern end of the Dyle line, from 2493:, German infantry overcame the defenders of the I Belgian Corps' 7th Infantry Division in 24 hours. The main Belgian defence line had been breached and German infantry of the 18th Army rapidly passed through it. Moreover, German soldiers established bridgeheads across the Albert Canal before the British were able to reach it some 48 hours later. The 3288:

the Government fled to Ostend. The city was occupied by the German Army on 17 May. The very next morning, Hoepner, the German XVI Corps commander, was ordered to release the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions to Army Group A. This left the 9th Panzer Division attached to the Eighteenth Army as the only armoured unit on the Belgian front.

3480:, who had taken over command from Gamelin, were still determined to break the German line and extricate their forces to the south. When they communicated their intentions to King Leopold and van Overstraten on 24 May, the latter was stunned. A dangerous gap was starting to open between the British and Belgians between Ypres and 1894:) was resurrected in 1939. Most of the Belgian merchant fleet, some 100 ships, evaded capture by the Germans. Under the terms of a Belgian–Royal Navy agreement, these ships and their 3,350 crewmen were placed under British control for the duration of hostilities. The general headquarters of the Belgian Admiralty was at 3147:

nearly three-quarters of their tanks; 49 were destroyed and 111 were repaired. They had 60 men killed and another 80 wounded. In terms of battlefield casualties, the Hannut battle had resulted in the French knocking-out 160 German tanks, losing 105 themselves. Prioux had achieved his tactical mission and withdrew.

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BEF in order to enable the latter to engage in the offensive. Such a collapse could have resulted in the loss of the Channel ports behind the Allied front, leading to a complete strategic encirclement. The BEF could have done more to counterattack Bock's left flank to relieve the Belgians as Bock attacked

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On 23 May, the French tried to conduct a series of offensives against the German defensive line on the Ardennes–Calais axis but failed to make any meaningful gains. Meanwhile, on the Belgian front, the Belgians, under pressure, retreated further, and the Germans captured Terneuzen and Ghent that day.

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Such an order ignored the fact that the Belgian Army could not withdraw to the Yser, and there was little chance of any Belgian Cavalry joining in the attack. The plan for the Belgian withdrawal was sound; the Yser river covered Dunkirk to the east and south, while the La Bassée Canal covered it from

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By 19 May, the Germans were hours away from reaching the French Channel coast. Gort had discovered the French had neither plan nor reserves and little hope for stopping the German thrust to the channel. He was concerned that the French 1st Army on its southern flank had been reduced to a disorganized

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armoured cars of the French Army. Its 25 mm main gun could penetrate the armour of the Panzer IV. In terms of tanks that were capable of engaging and surviving a tank-vs-tank action, the Germans possessed just 73 Panzer IIIs and 52 Panzer IVs. The French had 176 SOMUA and 239 Hotchkisses. German tank

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light bomber were being used as fighters. The AéMI possessed 250 combat aircraft. At least 90 were fighters, 12 were bombers and 12 were reconnaissance aircraft. Only 50 were of reasonably modern standard. When liaison and transport aircraft from all services are included, the total strength was 377;

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just over the French border and was now in danger of allowing a gap to develop between themselves and the Belgian southern flank on the Ypres–Lille axis. The danger in allowing a German advance to Dunkirk would mean the loss of the port which was now too great. The British withdrew to the port on 26

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and 10th cavalry divisions frustrated German attempts to exploit the gap in depth but the situation was still critical. On 26 May, Operation Dynamo officially commenced, in which large French and British contingents were to be evacuated to the United Kingdom. By that time, the Royal Navy had already

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to inform Gort of their decision and to order him to conduct an offensive to the south-west "through all opposition" to reach the "main French forces" in the south . The Belgian Army was asked to conform to the plan, or should they choose, the British Royal Navy would evacuate what units they could.

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and its infantry support defeated attacks by the Eighteenth Army's infantry and in a communiqué from London, the British recognized the "Belgian Army has contributed largely toward the success of the defensive battle now being fought. Nevertheless, the now-outnumbered Belgians abandoned Brussels and

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Hoepner now pursued the retreating French. Being impatient, he did not wait for his infantry divisions to catch up. Instead, he hoped to continue pushing the French back and not give them time to construct a coherent defence line. German formations pursued the enemy to Gembloux. The Panzer Corps ran

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The completion of the military bridge at Donchery had not yet been carried out owing to heavy flanking artillery fire and long bombing attacks on the bridging point ... Throughout the day all three divisions have had to endure constant air attack — especially at the crossing and bridging points. Our

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The Belgian Army, brutally assailed by an unparalleled surprise attack, grappling with forces that are better equipped and have the advantage of a formidable air force, has for three days carried out difficult operations, the success of which is of the utmost importance to the general conduct of the

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During the evening of 9 May, the Belgian military attaché in Berlin intimated that the Germans intended to attack the following day. Offensive movements of enemy forces were detected on the border. At 00:10 on 10 May 1940 at general headquarters, an unspecified squadron in Brussels gave the alarm. A

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were also operational. The 3rd Panzer Division's armoured regiments consisted of 117 Panzer Is, 128 Panzer IIs, 42 Panzer IIIs, 26 Panzer IVs and 27 command tanks. The 4th Panzer Division had 136 Panzer Is, 105 Panzer IIs, 40 Panzer IIIs, 24 Panzer IVs and 10 command tanks. The 9th Panzer, scheduled

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stronger than the Allies, and that engaging in overtures to the Allies would make Belgium a battleground without adequate allies. The Belgians and French remained confused about what was expected of whom if or when hostilities commenced. The Belgians were determined to hold the border fortifications

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Churchill's and the British response was officially restrained. This was due to the strong-willed defence of the Belgian defensive campaign presented to the cabinet by Sir Roger Keyes at 11:30 am 28 May. The French and Belgian ministers had referred to Leopold's actions as treasonous, but they

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A critical point of the "Weygand Plan" and the British government and French Army's argument for a thrust south, was the withdrawal of forces to see the offensive through which had left the Belgian Army over-extended and was instrumental in its collapse. It was forced to cover the areas held by the

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reached Prioux, he withdrew from Gembloux. With the Gembloux gap breached, the German Panzer Corps, the 3rd and 4th Panzer divisions, were no longer required by Army Group B and were handed over to Army Group A. Army Group B would continue its own offensive to force the collapse of the Meuse front.

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The effect on the German light tanks was catastrophic. Virtually every French weapon from 25mm upward penetrated the 7-13mm of the Panzer I. Although the Panzer II fared somewhat better, especially those that had been up-armoured since the Polish Campaign, their losses were high. Such was the sheer

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tactics, while the French tactical deployment was a rigid and linear leftover from the First World War. French tanks did not possess radios and often the commanders had to dismount to issue orders. Despite the disadvantages experienced by the Germans in armour, they were able to gain the upper hand

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operations includes a note of "vigorous enemy fighter activity through which our close reconnaissance in particular is severely impeded". Nevertheless, inadequate protection was given to cover RAF bombers against the strength of German opposition over the target area. In all, out of 109 Battles and

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Belgian soldiers fought rearguard actions while other Belgian units already on the Dyle line worked tirelessly to organise better defensive positions in the Leuven–Antwerp gap. The 2nd Regiment of Guides and the 2nd Carabineers Cyclists of the 2nd Belgian Cavalry Division covered the retreat of the

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with the 12th French Infantry Division, fought delaying actions and participated in a lot of demolition work while guarding the position. As far as the Belgians were concerned, they had accomplished the only independent mission assigned to it: to hold the Liège–Albert Canal line long enough for the

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This plan would still fail if sufficient ground could not be quickly taken in Belgium to squeeze the allies against two fronts. Preventing this from happening were the defences of Fort Eben-Emael and the Albert Canal. The three bridges over the canal were the key to allowing Army Group B to move at

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The Belgian position on any offensive move was made clear by Leopold III. As far as he was concerned, the Belgian Army could not conduct offensive operations as it lacked tanks and aircraft; it existed solely for defence. The King also made clear that in the rapidly shrinking area of Belgium still

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retreated from the Namur and Liège regions, the Liège fortress region put up stiff resistance to the German 6th Army. In the north, the 7th Army was diverted to Antwerp after the surrender of the Dutch on 15 May, but was then diverted to support the French 1st Army. In the centre, the Belgian Army

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and were now in a position to sweep south to Namur, which would threaten to envelop the entire Albert Canal and Liège positions. Under the circumstances, both divisions withdrew. On the evening of 11 May, the Belgian command withdrew its forces behind the Namur–Antwerp line. The following day, the

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Further successful German airborne offensive operations were carried out in Luxembourg, seizing five crossings and communication routes into central Belgium. The offensive, carried out by 125 volunteers of the 34th Infantry Division under the command of Wenner Hedderich, achieved their missions by

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was to support operations in Belgium. By May 1940 the BEF had grown to 394,165 men, of whom more than 150,000 were part of the logistical rear area organisations and had little military training. On 10 May 1940, the BEF comprised just 10 divisions (not all at full strength), 1,280 artillery pieces

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On 24 April 1937, the French and British publicly declared that Belgium's security was paramount to the Western Allies and that they would defend their borders against aggression of any sort, whether directed solely at Belgium, or to obtain bases to wage war against "other states". The British and

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The fighting of 26–27 May had brought the Belgian Army to the brink of collapse. The Belgians still held the Ypres–Roulers line to the west, and the Bruges–Thelt line to the east. However, on 27 May, the central front collapsed in the Izegem–Thelt sector. There was now nothing to prevent a German

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To the Allies, the Belgian failure to hold onto its eastern frontiers (they were thought to be capable of holding out for two weeks), was a disappointment. The Allied chiefs of staff had sought to avoid an encounter mobile battle without any strong fixed defences to fall back on and hoped Belgian

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After holding onto the Albert Canal's west bank for nearly 36 hours, the 4th and 7th Belgian infantry divisions withdrew. The capture of Eben-Emael allowed the Germans to force through the Panzers of the 6th Army. The situation for the Belgian divisions was either to withdraw or be encircled. The

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on operations over the Belgian front, but lost both to Bf 109s. By the end of 10 May, the official German figures indicate claims for 30 Belgian aircraft destroyed on the ground, and 14 (plus the two RAF bombers) in the air for 10 losses. The victory claims are likely an undercount. A total of 83

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German air units doubled up and flew missions over the Netherlands and Belgium. Case specific loss totals for Belgium only cannot be certain. Total German losses in the air numbered 469 in 12–25 May, and 126 for 26 May – 1 June, but at least 43 paratroopers were killed and a further 100 wounded.

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Belgian Embassy here assumes from King's decision to remain that he regards the war as lost and contemplates separate peace. It is in order to dissociate itself from this that the constitutional Belgian Government has reassembled on foreign soil. Even if present Belgian Army has to lay down its

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chance to mass against one of the French light divisions (the 3 DLM) and achieve a breakthrough in that sector. Moreover, with no reserves behind the front, the French denied themselves the chance of a counterattack. The victory saw the Panzer corps out-manoeuvre the 2 DLM on its left flank. The

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The Gembloux gap was defended by the French 1st Army, with six elite divisions including the 2nd (2e Division Légère Mécanique, or 2 DLM) and 3rd light mechanized divisions. The Prioux Cavalry Corps, under the command of Prioux, was to advance 30 kilometres (19 mi) beyond the line (east) to

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Meanwhile, in the central Belgian sector, having failed to restore their front by means of ground attack, the Belgians attempted to bomb the bridges and positions that the Germans had captured intact and were holding on 11 May. Belgian Fairey Battles of 5/III/3 escorted by six Gloster Gladiators

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transports were too slow and were likely to be vulnerable to Dutch and Belgian anti-aircraft guns. Other factors for its refusal were the weather conditions, which might blow the paratroopers away from the fort and disperse them too widely. A seven-second drop from a Ju 52 at minimum operational

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On 12 and 13 May, 2 DLM lost no AFVs, but the 3 DLM lost 30 SOMUAs and 75 Hotchkisses. The French had disabled 160 German tanks. But as the poor linear deployment had allowed the Germans the chance of breaking through in one spot, the entire battlefield had to be abandoned, the Germans repaired

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The following day, 13 May, the French were undone by their poor tactical deployment. They strung their armour out in a thin line between Hannut and Huy, leaving no defence in depth, which was the point of sending the French armour to the Gembloux gap in the first place. This left Hoepner with a

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On the official Belgian withdrawal from the Western Alliance, the Belgians refused to engage in any official staff meetings with French or British military staff for fear of compromising their neutrality. The Belgians did not regard a German invasion as inevitable and were determined that if an

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that was located in Paris (later moved to London following the fall of France) would continue the struggle. The chief complaint was that the Belgians had not given any prior warning that their situation was so serious as to capitulate. Such claims were largely unjust. The Allies had known, and

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Van Overstraten is desperately keen for strong British counterattack. Either north or south of Leie could help restore the situation. Belgians expect to be attacked on the Ghent front tomorrow. Germans already have a bridgehead over canal west of Eecloo. There can be no question of the Belgian

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in the Low Countries. Its first task was to eliminate the Belgian air contingent. Despite an overwhelming numerical superiority — 1,375 aircraft, 957 of which were serviceable — the air campaign in Belgium had limited success overall on the first day. At roughly 04:00, the first air raids were

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saw its strategic assumptions undermined; it could no longer expect cooperation from the Belgians in defending Belgium's eastern borders, which would allow it to stop a German attack well forward of the French border. The French were dependent on cooperation from the Belgians. Such a situation

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from the French 2nd Army, which had a significant tank strength. The Germans were forced to retreat. The French, however, failed to pursue the fleeing German units, stopping at a dummy barrier. By the next morning, the 2nd Panzer Division had reached the area, and the mission had largely been

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in a mobile battle. The French considered invading Belgium immediately in response to a German attack on the country. The Belgians, recognising the danger posed by the Germans, secretly made their own defence policies, troop movement information, communications, fixed defence dispositions,

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Hoepner's Panzer Corps and Prioux' cavalry clashed head-on near Hannut, Belgium, on 12 May. Contrary to popular belief, the Germans did not outnumber the French. Frequently, figures of 623 German and 415 French tanks are given. The German 3rd and 4th Panzer divisions numbered 280 and 343

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divisions which were advancing through the Belgian–Luxembourg Ardennes. The original plan called for the use of Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft, but the short landing capability of the Fi 156 (27 metres) saw 200 of these aircraft used in the assault. The operational mission was to:

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At this time, the Belgians and the British concluded that the French were beaten and the Allied armies in the pocket on the Belgian–Franco border would be destroyed if action was not taken. The British, having lost confidence in their allies, decided to look to the survival of the BEF.

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river and protect the Allied left flank and rear areas. The King's aide, General Overstraten, said that such a move could not be made and would lead to the Belgian Army disintegrating. Another plan for further offensives was suggested. The French requested the Belgians withdraw to the

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The British, with no army in the field and behind in rearmament, were in no position to challenge French strategy, which had assumed the prominent role of the Western Alliance. Having little ability to overrule the French, the British strategy for military action came in the form of

3248:. The Belgians successfully defended the northern part of the city, delaying the German infantry forces while starting to withdraw from Antwerp on 16 May. The city fell on 18/19 May after considerable Belgian resistance. On 18 May the Belgians received word that Namur's Fort 2975:

These operations require from all of us – officers and men – exceptional efforts, sustained day and night, despite a moral tension tested to its limits by the sight of the devastation wrought by a pitiless invader. However severe the trial may be, you will come through it

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On the morning of 15 May, German Army Group A broke the defences at Sedan and was now free to drive for the English Channel. The Allies considered a wholesale withdrawal from the Belgian trap. The withdrawal would reflect three stages: the night of 16/17 May to the River

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bombers were shot down. The RAF Advanced Air Striking Force, which included the largest Allied bomber force, was reduced to 72 aircraft out of 135 by 12 May. For the next 24 hours, missions were postponed as the German anti-aircraft and fighter defences were too strong.

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Further east, delaying positions were constructed in the immediate tactical zones along the Albert Canal, which joined with the defences of the Meuse west of Maastricht. The line deviated southward, and continued to Liège. The Maastricht–Liège gap was heavily protected.

1380:. Officially, the Belgian government retained a suspicious posture towards France, considering them as equal a danger to Belgian sovereignty as the Third Reich. French forces were not allowed to enter Belgium, even when the German plans to invade became imminent. 1785:, could land on them. Student replied that it could be done, but only by 12 aircraft and in daylight; this would deliver 80–90 paratroopers onto the target. Hitler then revealed the tactical weapon that would make this strategic operation work, introducing the 2640:

The failure of the Franco–Belgian forces to hold the Ardennes gap was fatal. The Belgians had withdrawn laterally upon the initial invasion and had demolished and blocked routes of advance, which held up the French 2nd Army units moving north toward Namur and

2442:

Belgian machines–mostly trainers and "squadron hacks", were destroyed. The AéMI flew only 146 sorties in the first six days. Between 16 May and 28 May, the AéMI flew just 77 operations. It spent most of its time retreating and fuel withdrawing in the face of

1221:

The German official history stated that in the 18 days of bitter fighting, the Belgian Army were tough opponents, and spoke of the "extraordinary bravery" of its soldiers. The Belgian collapse forced the Allied withdrawal from continental Europe. The British

1330:

bases to engage in strategic offensive operations against the United Kingdom in the coming conflict. However, the British government paid little attention to the concerns of the Belgians. The lack of this commitment ensured the Belgian withdrawal from the

3484:, which threatened what remained of the Belgian front. The Belgians could not cover it; such a move would have overstretched them. Without consulting the French or asking permission from his government, Gort immediately and decisively ordered the British 3085:

provide a screen for the move. The French 1st and 2nd armoured divisions were to be moved behind the French 1st Army to defend its main lines in depth. The Prioux Cavalry Corps was equal to a German Panzer corps and was to occupy a screening line on the

1882:

of cyclist Frontier Guards, one cavalry corps of two divisions, and one brigade of motorised cavalry. The Army contained two anti-aircraft artillery and four artillery regiments, and an unknown number of fortress, engineer, and signals force personnel.

1727:

conducted the surprise assault through the Ardennes. Belgium was to act as a secondary front. Army Group B was given only limited numbers of armoured and mobile units, while the vast majority of the army group comprised infantry divisions. After the

4016:, pp. 49, 52, 53. French and British losses are not certain, however the French Air Force lost 264 aircraft between 12–25 May and 50 for 26 May – 1 June while the British Royal Air Force lost 344 and 138 aircraft in these respective periods. 1501:

King Leopold III made a speech on 14 October 1936 before the Council of Ministers to persuade the people and their government that Belgium's defences needed strengthening. He outlined three main military points for Belgium's increased rearmament:

1802: 1580:

The Belgian high command warned the French and British of their concerns. They feared that the Dyle plan would put not just the Belgian strategic position in danger, but also the entire left wing of the Allied front. King Leopold and General

1294:

area using Belgium as a spring-board in October 1930 and again in January 1933. Belgium feared it would be drawn into a war regardless, and sought to avoid that eventuality. The Belgians also feared being drawn into a war as a result of the

3811:

RAF losses throughout the entire campaign (10 May – 22 June) amounted to 931 aircraft and 1,526 casualties. Casualties to 28 May are unknown. Total British losses in the air numbered 344 between 12 and 25 May, and 138 between 26 May and 1

2873:

During the night of 11/12 May, the Belgians were fully engaged in withdrawing to the Dyle line, covered by a network of demolitions and rearguards astride Tongeren. During the morning of 12 May, King Leopold III, General van Overstraeten,

1769:(7th Air Division) to discuss the assault. It was first suggested that a conventional parachute drop be made by airborne forces to seize and destroy the forts' guns before the land units approached. Such a suggestion was rejected as the 3420:

visited the front and pressed for the French and British armies to break out from the north-east. He assumed that the Belgian Cavalry Corps could support the offensives' right flank. Churchill dispatched the following message to Gort:

3219:

The situation called for the French and British to abandon the Antwerp–Namur line and strong positions in favour of improvised positions behind the Scheldt, without facing any real resistance. In the south, General Deffontaine of the

3018:

undertook several air attacks on the German-held Maastricht and Meuse bridges to prevent German forces flowing into Belgium. Seventy-four sorties had been flown by the Allies since 10 May. On 12 May, eleven out of eighteen French

2893:, 2nd Infantry and 3rd Infantry divisions had withdrawn from the Liège fortifications to avoid being encircled. One regiment, the Liège Fortress Regiment, stayed behind to disrupt German communications. Further to the south, the 3328:

The British cabinet decided that even if the "Somme offensive" was carried out successfully, some units may still need to be evacuated, and ordered Admiral Ramsay to assemble a large number of vessels. This was the beginning of

3536:

the fortified British position at Kortrijk. The Belgian High Command made at least five appeals for the British to attack the vulnerable left flank of the German divisions between the Scheldt and the Leie to avert disaster.

3427:

2. That the British Army and French 1st Army should attack south-west toward Bapaume and Cambrai at the earliest moment, certainly tomorrow, with about eight divisions, and with the Belgian Cavalry Corps on the right of the

2771:. The Belgians refused to yield but Montgomery claimed to have got his way by placing himself under the command of the Belgian forces, knowing that when the Germans came within artillery range the Belgians would withdraw. 1187:) reached the Channel after five days, encircling the Allied armies. The Germans gradually reduced the pocket of Allied forces, forcing them back to the sea. The Belgian Army surrendered on 28 May 1940, ending the battle. 3593:

May. In doing so, they left the French 1st Army's north-eastern flank near Lille exposed. As the British moved out, the Germans moved in, encircling the bulk of the French Army. Both Gort and his chief of staff, General

1491:

canal, joining the Meuse, the Scheldt and the Albert Canal. Protection of the eastern frontier, based mainly on destroying a number of roads, was entrusted to new formations (frontier cyclist units and the newly formed

1672:

of the Belgian forces occupying the city and the axis of advance into the west of the country. Further lines of defence ran south-west, covering the Liège–Namur axis. The Belgian Army also had the added benefit of the

3639:, and the Belgians reported attacks against all targets considered an objective, with resulting casualties. No natural obstacles remained between the Belgians and the German Army; retreat was not feasible. The 1519:

French released Belgium from her Locarno obligations to render mutual assistance in the event of German aggression toward Poland, while the British and French maintained their military obligations to Belgium.

2331:

full state of alert was instigated at 01:30. Belgian forces took up their deployment positions. The Allied armies had enacted their Dyle Plan on the morning of 10 May, and were approaching the Belgian rear.

3507:

and Kortrijk. The Germans, with superior numbers and in command of the air, had won the bridgehead. Nevertheless, the Belgians had inflicted many casualties and several tactical defeats on the Germans. The

3225:

and the BEF suffered little German pressure. On 15 May, the only sector to really be tested was around Leuven, which was held by the British 3rd Division. The BEF was not pursued vigorously to the Scheldt.

2797:–Ghent–Ostend axis and, covering the Channel ports, had advanced into Belgium and into the Netherlands with speed. It reached Breda in the Netherlands, on 11 May. But German parachute forces had seized the 2385:. He commented it "...was the result of the well-known tendency of the commanding general to conduct his own private war". Fisser's KG 77 destroyed the AéMI main bases, with help from KG 54. Fighters from 1616:(a) A delaying position along the Albert Canal from Antwerp to Liège and the Meuse from Liège to Namur, which was to be held long enough to allow French and British troops to occupy the line Antwerp–Namur– 3072:

in the north, to Namur in the south, 20 kilometres (12 mi) to 30 kilometres (19 mi). After attacking out of the Maastricht bulge and defeating the Belgian defences at Liege, which compelled the

2668:(JG 1) and I./JG 27 intercepted and JG 1 shot down four Gladiators and both units destroyed six Battles and heavily damaged the remaining three. Eight CR.42s were evacuated from Brustem to 10077: 10042: 2902:

Allied units to reach friendly forces occupying the Namur–Antwerp–Givet line. For the remainder of the campaign, the Belgians would execute their operations in accordance with the overall Allied plan.

2418:, three Hawker Hurricanes of Escadrille 2/I/2 were destroyed and another six damaged when a wave of He 111s caught them as they were about to take off. A further two were lost in destroyed hangars. At 2181:

initially for operations in the Netherlands, was the weakest division with only 30 Panzer Is, 54 Panzer IIs, 123, 66 Panzer IIIs and 49 Panzer IVs. The elements drawn from the 7th Air Division and the

1939:

Ca.312 light bombers, and Caproni Ca.335 fighter-reconnaissance aircraft, but only the Fiats, Hurricanes, and Battles had been delivered. The shortage of modern types meant single-seat versions of the

2878:, General Alphonse Georges (commander of the First Allied army Group, comprising the BEF, French 1st, 2nd, 7th and 9th armies), General Gaston Billotte (coordinator of the Allied armies) and General 2978:

Our position improves with every hour; our ranks are closing up. In the critical days that are ahead of us, you will summon up all your energies, you will make every sacrifice, to stem the invasion.

10057: 3461:

terms. Air support could only be called in by "wireless" and the RAF was operating from bases in southern England which made communication more difficult. The French denied the use of the Dunkirk,

1339:. The lack of opposition to the remilitarisation served to convince the Belgians that France and Britain were unwilling to fight for their own strategic interests, let alone Belgium's. The Belgian 1299:. The Franco-Belgian agreement stipulated Belgium was to mobilise if the Germans did, but what was not clear was whether Belgium would have to mobilise in the event of a German invasion of Poland. 1789:(hollow-charge) – a 50 kilograms (110 lb) explosive weapon which would destroy the Belgian gun emplacements. This tactical unit spearheaded the first strategic airborne operation in history. 3233: 3229: 3216:, along with the French 7th and British armies. Had it not been for the collapse of the French 2nd Army at Sedan, the Belgians were confident that they could have checked the German advance. 3089:–Hannut–Huy axis. The operational plan called for the corps to delay the German advance on Gembloux and Hannut until the main elements of the French 1st Army had reached Gembloux and dug in. 1506:

a) German rearmament and the complete re-militarisation of Italy and Russia had caused most other states, even pacifists like Switzerland and the Netherlands, to take exceptional precautions.

2029:

The third French army to see action on Belgian soil was the 9th. It was weaker than both the 7th and the 1st armies. The 9th Army was allocated infantry divisions, with the exception of the

2198:. The force was assembled in November 1939. It was primarily composed of parachutists from the 1st Parachute Regiment and engineers from the 7th Air Division, as well as a small group of 3704:

were unaware of the true events: Leopold had not signed an agreement with Hitler in order to form a collaborative government, but an unconditional surrender as Commander-in-Chief of the

3635:

south to Menen on the river Leie, and west, from Menin, to Bruges without any sort of reserves. With the exception of a few RAF sorties, the air was exclusively under the control of the

411: 3170:

Although suffering numerous tactical reverses, operationally the Germans diverted the Allied First Army Group from the lower Ardennes area. In the process his forces, along with the

10047: 1874:

After the completion of the Belgian Army's mobilisation, it could muster five regular corps and two reserve army corps consisting of 12 regular infantry divisions, two divisions of

3521: 3557: 3553: 3517: 3513: 3509: 1871:

and two motorised cavalry divisions, a force totaling some 600,000 men. Belgian reserves may have been able to field 900,000 men. The Army lacked armour and anti-aircraft guns.

1697:

was responsible for the last 100 kilometres (62 mi) of front, covering Sedan, the lower Meuse, the Belgian–Luxembourg border and the northern flank of the Maginot line.

1561:

correctly suggested the Germans would not commence the invasion with this plan. It suggested that the Germans would try an attack through the Belgian Ardennes and advance to

3584:. In the west, the Menen–Ypres line had broken at Kortrijk and the Belgians were now using railway trucks to help form anti-tank defences on a line from Ypres–Passchendaele– 3524:, acting as reinforcements, had counterattacked several times and managed to capture 200 German prisoners. Belgian artillery and infantry were then heavily attacked by the 1864:

and penetrated the armour of the Panzer IV behind it. These Belgian guns were better than the 25 mm and 37 mm guns of, respectively, the French and the Germans.

2913:

In support of Belgian forces in the area, the RAF and French flew air defence operations in the Tirlemont and Louvain area. The RAF Advanced Air Striking Force committed

8557: 2886:. It was agreed the Belgian Army would man the Antwerp–Leuven line, while its allies took up the responsibility of defending the extreme north and south of the country. 8302: 3228:

After the withdrawal of the French Army from the northern sector, the Belgians were left to guard the fortified city of Antwerp. Four infantry divisions (including the

2475:

The German planners had recognised the need to eliminate Fort Eben-Emael if their army was to break into the interior of Belgium. It decided to deploy airborne forces (

7903: 3695:

informed the people that Leopold had taken action against the unanimous advice of the government. As a result, the king was no longer in a position to govern and the

9908: 7919: 3716:

The casualty reports include total losses at this point in the campaign. The figures for the Battle of Belgium, 10–28 May 1940, cannot be known with any certainty.

1756:, the southernmost army of Group B, trapped in the Maastricht-Albert Canal enclave and subject to the fire of Eben-Emael. The fort had to be captured or destroyed. 1510:

b) Vast changes in military methods, particularly in aviation and mechanization, meant that initial operations could now be of alarming force, speed and magnitude.

8246: 2857:

bombed and sank two Dutch gunboats and three Dutch destroyers, as well as badly damaging two Royal Navy destroyers. But overall the bombing had a limited effect.

7842: 7814: 6958: 3991:

The Belgian Army sustained 6,093 men killed, 15,850 men wounded in action, more than 500 men missing and 200,000 men captured, of which 2,000 died in captivity.

3389: 3308:

or north west into the British flank. Their position in Belgium massively compromised, the BEF considered abandoning Belgium and retreating to Ostend, Bruges or

3113:

The German forces were able to communicate by radio during the battle and they could shift the point of the main effort unexpectedly. The Germans also practiced

2357: 1371:

deprived the French of any prepared defences in Belgium to forestall an attack, a situation which the French had wanted to avoid as it meant engaging the German

9887: 8566: 8253: 7380: 404: 8869: 8232: 7534: 7159: 2907: 1535: 3978:

The Belgian Air Force consisted of 250 aircraft, the French Air Force 1,368, the British Royal Air Force provided 456 aircraft and the Dutch Air Force 175.

7875: 7821: 7007: 3167:

the two Panzer divisions reported heavy losses during 14 May and were forced to slow their pursuit. The German attempts to capture Gembloux were repulsed.

2790:

French 1st Army arrived at Gembloux, between Wavre and Namur, to cover the "Gembloux gap". It was a flat area, devoid of prepared or entrenched positions.

2497:

further south, on the orders of their commander, withdrew behind the Meuse, destroying some bridges in their wake. German airborne forces were assisted by

1395:

river in response to a German invasion. The choice of an established Allied line lay in either reinforcing the Belgians in the east of the country, at the

1689:

sector. This covered the gap in the Belgian defences between the main Belgian positions on the Dyle line and Namur to the south. Further south still, the

8339: 7828: 7444: 3409: 3272: 3221: 3140: 6854: 3897: 3887: 3413: 3405: 3401: 2621: 2050: 4012:

The Belgian Air Force lost 83 planes on the ground on 10 May, 25 lost in aerial combat between 10–15 May, and four lost in the air between 16–28 May.

3926:

Contributed lightly armed infantry units retreating from Dutch territory. Also committed the Dutch Air Force on few, ineffective and costly missions.

3761:

Numbers for the Battle of Belgium are unknown, but the French suffered the following losses throughout the entire western campaign, 10 May – 22 June:

10052: 8225: 7665: 7541: 3902: 3892: 3397: 2375: 397: 2628:

Division. Unsupported, the Germans faced a counterattack later in the evening by elements of the French 5th Cavalry Division, dispatched by General

2011:

light tanks. Both of these types, in armour and firepower, were superior to most German types. The 3 DLM contained 90 S35s and some 140 H35s alone.

7518: 6898: 3783: 3618: 2573: 1867:

The Belgians began mobilisation on 25 August 1939 and by May 1940 mounted a field army of 18 infantry divisions, two divisions of partly motorised

1239: 1082: 121: 2706:

of GCIII/3 and GCII/6. The operation failed and one bomber was lost while four M.S.406s fell to I./JG 1. The French claimed five. Meanwhile,

2692:—the first squadron lost two, one to I./JG 27. 21 Squadron suffered damage to most of the bombers because of intense ground-fire. The French 2684:

by He 111s and I./JG 27 respectively. The RAF contributed to the effort to attack the bridges. The British dispatched Bristol Blenheims from

1546:. Reinberger was carrying the first plans for the German invasion of western Europe which, as Gamelin had expected, entailed a repeat of the 1914 10062: 7955: 7267: 3564:

The situation on 27 May had changed considerably from just 24 hours earlier. The Belgian Army had been forced from the Leie line on 26 May, and

3081:

and containing the 3rd and 4th Panzer divisions, launched an offensive in the area where the French mistakenly expected the main German thrust.

1514:

c) The lightning reoccupation of the Rhineland came with bases for the start of a possible German invasion moving close to the Belgian frontier.

7774: 7076: 3798:

Numbers for the Battle of Belgium are unknown, but the British suffered the following losses throughout the entire campaign, 10 May – 22 June:

3552:

No such attack came. The Germans brought fresh reserves to cover the gap (Menen–Ypres). This nearly cut the Belgians off from the British. The

1017: 9780: 6086: 3441:

and would have certainly meant the capture of Ostend while further reducing the amount of Belgian territory still free by a few square miles.

2133:. It was allocated 26 infantry and three Panzer divisions for the invasion of the Netherlands and Belgium. Of the three Panzer divisions, the 1841: 1173:

armies to Belgium between 10 and 12 May, the Germans enacted the second phase of their operation, a break-through, or sickle cut, through the

8573: 8536: 8513: 8027: 6949: 6919: 3503:. The Germans managed, against fierce resistance, to cross the river at night and force a one-mile penetration along a 13-mile front between 2082: 1740:

were removed from Army Group B and given to Army Group A, to strengthen the German lines of communication and to prevent an Allied breakout.

8288: 2343:

conducted against airfields and communication centres. It still had a tremendous impact on the AéMI, which had only 179 aircraft on 10 May.

8666: 8522: 8506: 8478: 7719: 6926: 3469:

bases to the Belgians, which had initially been placed at its disposal. The Belgians were forced to use the only harbours left to them, at

3101:

in the Cavalry Corps. The R35 was equal or superior to the Panzer I and Panzer IIs in armament terms. This applies all the more to the 90

9423: 8490: 8402: 8346: 8309: 7584: 3580:

had fallen on the western and central part of the Leie front. In the east, the Germans had reached the outskirts of Bruges, and captured

2616:

3. Facilitate the capture of pillboxes and the advance by exerting pressure against the line of pillboxes along the border from the rear.

1715:

Map of the area between Belgium and the Netherlands near Fort Eben-Emael: The fort protected the vital strategic bridgeheads into Belgium

979: 710: 3271:, as the volume of Allied forces in Belgium fell and moved toward the German armoured thrust from the Ardennes. The Belgian I Corps and 8395: 7120: 2865: 2681: 1653: 1231: 6450: 9901: 8529: 6912: 6870: 3187: 1296: 9750: 7562: 7336: 7099: 6965: 6776: 3737: 3569: 3388:

The Belgian battle-front on the morning of 22 May extended some 90 kilometres (56 mi) from north to south, beginning with the

1798: 372: 3495:

On the afternoon of 24 May, Bock had thrown four divisions, of Reichenau's 6th Army, against the Belgian IV Corps position at the

8645: 8442: 8094: 7472: 6972: 6884: 6820: 6051: 3489: 3433:

the west. The ring of the Yser also dramatically shorted the Belgian Army's area of operations. Such a move would have abandoned

1833: 2460: 51: 8848: 8360: 7203: 6741: 3606: 3485: 2832:

had given priority to attacking the French 7th Army's spearhead into the Netherlands as it threatened the Moerdijk bridgehead.

2756: 2055:

The British contributed the weakest force to Belgium. The BEF, under the command of Gort, consisted of just 152,000 men in two

1234:(BEF), along with many Belgian and French soldiers, to escape capture and continue military operations. France reached its own 9444: 9349: 8876: 8622: 8497: 7576: 7550: 7407: 7113: 7030: 6709: 6690: 6664: 6638: 6619: 6596: 6570: 6543: 6522: 6504: 6483: 6423: 6402: 6381: 6363: 6325: 6307: 6261: 6243: 6225: 6203: 6185: 6167: 6149: 6131: 6113: 3444: 2182: 2075: 1055: 974: 561: 450: 2556: 9677: 9084: 8970: 8135: 7595: 7591: 7569: 7173: 3684: 3623: 3150: 2086: 1275:, the Belgians were unwilling to stake everything on a linear defence of the Belgian–German border, in an extension of the 1459:'s rise to power in January 1933. The Belgian government had watched with increasing alarm the German withdrawal from the 9592: 9056: 8388: 8374: 7580: 6351: 3939:

The Belgian Army consisted of 22 divisions, the French provided 104, the British provided 10, and the Dutch 8 divisions.

3324: 3320: 3245: 3241: 3237: 2098: 2068: 2033:(5 DIM). Its mission was to protect the southern flank of the Allied armies, south of the Sambre river and just north of 2601: 2063:

each. The British had hoped to field two armies of two Corps each, but this scale of mobilisation never took place. The

1144:. It took place over 18 days in May 1940 and ended with the German occupation of Belgium following the surrender of the 765: 9801: 9670: 9548: 9126: 8841: 8792: 8550: 8105: 7350: 7189: 7037: 6891: 3724: 3255: 2433:

and Hurricanes. In return, eight Belgian Gladiators, five Fairey Foxes and one CR42 were shot down by JG 1, 21 and 27.

1944:

however only 118 of these were serviceable on 10 May 1940. Of this number around 78 were fighters and 40 were bombers.

1271:

The Belgian strategy for a defence against German aggression faced political as well as military problems. In terms of

1010: 828: 478: 9917: 8771: 8588: 8170: 7882: 7849: 3597:, accepted that their withdrawal would mean the destruction of the French 1st Army, and they would be blamed for it. 3127: 1902:

Henry Decarpentrie. The First Naval Division was based at Ostend, while the Second and Third divisions were based at

1777:

Hitler had noticed one potential flaw in the defences. The roofs were flat and unprotected; he demanded to know if a

1336: 1072: 20: 7065: 1557:

The Belgians suspected a ruse, but the plans were taken seriously. Belgian intelligence and the military attaché in

9954: 9112: 9049: 8184: 8013: 7136: 6270:

Gunsburg, Jeffrey A. (April 1992), "The Battle of the Belgian Plain, 12–14 May 1940: The First Great Tank Battle",

2984:, so now the French and British troops are counting on you: the safety and honour of the country are in your hands. 2764: 2019: 7690: 3700:

admitted it privately on 25 May through contact with the Belgians, that the latter were on the verge of collapse.

3655:–Nieupoort and Bruges–Ostend–Nieuwpoort. Using such axes of retreat was impossible without losses owing to German 2992: 2820:

The French 7th Army turned east and met the 9th Panzer Division about 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of Breda at

2468: 2195: 9478: 9319: 9308: 9144: 8903: 8862: 8755: 8693: 8073: 7343: 7212: 7180: 2662: 2592: 2588: 2134: 2110: 2030: 2023: 1657: 295: 7860: 7428: 3829:

Zusammenfassender Bericht des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht über die Operationen im Westen vom 10. Mai bis 4. Juni

1620:. It was anticipated that the forces of the guarantor Powers would be in action on the third day of an invasion. 9864: 9836: 9714: 9507: 8744: 8195: 8121: 7910: 7281: 7000: 6905: 6790: 4544: 4542: 2422:

airfield, 13 CR42s were destroyed. The only other success was KG 27s destruction of eight aircraft at Belsele.

1853: 1448: 10072: 10067: 9924: 9857: 9808: 9739: 9564: 9070: 9021: 8785: 8778: 8381: 8142: 7926: 6979: 3877: 3312:, the latter lying some 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) inside the French border. 2015: 1996: 1992: 1849: 1283:. Such a strategy would also rely on the French to move quickly into Belgium and support the garrison there. 1077: 1003: 464: 4539: 3252:

had fallen; Suarlee fell on 19 May; St. Heribert and Malonne on 21 May; Dave, Maizeret and Andoy on 23 May.

2037:. Further south, in France, was the French 2nd Army, protecting the Franco-Belgian border between Sedan and 2000: 1748:

in Belgium, and Maastricht on the Dutch border were the targets. Failure to capture the bridges would leave

1565:

to encircle the Allied armies in Belgium. The Belgians correctly predicted that the Germans would attempt a

9998: 9894: 9269: 9230: 8149: 7977: 7962: 7889: 7868: 7686: 7364: 7150: 7143: 7127: 6838: 6797: 6769: 3540: 3425:

1. That the Belgian Army should withdraw to the line of the Yser and stand there, the sluices being opened.

2177: 1589:, warned Gamelin and the French Army command of their concerns on 8 March and 14 April. They were ignored. 1203: 421: 1947:

The AéMI was commanded by Paul Hiernaux, who had received his pilot's license just before the outbreak of

1279:. Such a move would leave the Belgians vulnerable to a German assault in their rear, through an attack on 932: 9961: 9285: 9237: 8855: 8827: 8680: 8295: 8274: 7788: 7451: 7357: 6847: 6213: 3696: 3143:, retreating from Liege, offered to support the French front held by the 3 DLM. This offer was rejected. 2894: 2752:. Nevertheless, the Germans reported a weakening in Allied air resistance in northern Belgium by 13 May. 1951:, and had risen to the position of commander-in-chief in 1938. Hiernaux organised the service into three 1915:(Belgian Air Force - AéMI) had barely begun to modernise their aircraft technology. The AéMI had ordered 520: 101: 6433: 3106:

units also contained 486 Panzer I and IIs, which were of dubious combat value given their losses in the

2014:

The French 7th Army was assigned to protect the northernmost part of the Allied front. It contained the

1987:

The Belgians were afforded substantial support by the French Army. The French 1st Army included General

1861: 777: 10032: 10027: 9759: 9255: 9174: 9119: 9007: 8963: 8613: 8239: 8163: 8058: 7935: 7807: 7800: 7760: 7733: 7465: 7398: 6993: 6804: 6734: 6471: 3823: 2142: 2094: 1765: 947: 942: 912: 804: 636: 2266: 1419:, the French commander, approved the plan and it remained the Allied strategy at the outbreak of war. 1198:. It was the largest tank battle in history at the time but was later surpassed by the battles of the 9661: 9578: 9363: 9223: 9195: 9028: 8933: 8723: 8156: 7223: 6877: 3164: 3012:

On the morning of 12 May, in response to Belgian pressure and necessity, the Royal Air Force and the

2584: 2576:, was also conducted on 10 May in southern Belgium. The objectives of this operation was to land two 2490: 2154: 2090: 1455:. The Belgians had taken measures to reconstruct their defences along their border with Germany upon 1235: 1207: 1156: 1050: 1040: 811: 551: 534: 515: 440: 57: 7421: 2958: 2648: 2587:

by Fi 156 aircraft at Nives and Witry in the south of the country, in order to clear a path for the

2206:

allocated 1,815 combat, 487 transport aircraft and 50 gliders for the assault on the Low Countries.

1812: 10082: 10037: 9400: 9377: 8629: 8430: 8423: 8080: 7740: 7712: 7705: 7092: 3500: 3048: 2624:

armoured cars. Several Belgian counterattacks were repulsed, among them an attack by the 1st Light

2362: 2064: 1060: 875: 556: 510: 7437: 7414: 1169:, believing it to be the main German thrust. After the French had fully committed the best of the 9822: 9766: 9636: 9496: 9181: 8834: 8730: 8636: 8204: 8065: 8035: 7999: 7984: 7856: 7748: 7726: 7672: 7658: 7640: 7304: 7085: 6813: 6762: 2703: 2577: 2519: 2256: 2211: 1887: 1183: 937: 770: 760: 585: 2294:

and its III. Gruppe were based at Marx. Support for Döring and Richthofen came from present-day

9514: 9407: 9209: 9160: 9063: 8956: 8926: 8709: 8597: 8323: 8114: 7698: 7679: 7649: 7196: 7166: 5833: 5831: 3666:

Churchill sent a message to Keyes the same day, and made clear what he thought of the request:

3345: 3175: 2506: 2295: 2251: 1582: 1439: 1363: 1355: 1199: 1170: 1152: 1145: 984: 600: 590: 575: 244: 6220:, History of the Second World War United Kingdom Military Series, Naval & Military Press, 4405: 4403: 4401: 2271: 10005: 9728: 9571: 9467: 9437: 9393: 9133: 9098: 9091: 9014: 8912: 8353: 8330: 8177: 7781: 7318: 7058: 7044: 6727: 6492: 6080: 5161: 4575: 3006: 2150: 1911: 1848:. They were officially described as armoured cars but were actually fully tracked tanks with 1376:

intelligence and air reconnaissance arrangements available to the French military attaché in

856: 794: 672: 624: 279: 268: 169: 7616: 5828: 5767: 5765: 5763: 5717: 5715: 5713: 5521: 5519: 5517: 5504: 5502: 5500: 3774:

Total French losses in aircraft numbered 264 from 12 to 25 May, and 50 for 26 May to 1 June.

2157:, would support the push into Belgium alongside the 18th Army and cover its northern flank. 9829: 9684: 9335: 9292: 9262: 9188: 8998: 8977: 7896: 7373: 7051: 6456: 5151: 5149: 5136: 5134: 5119: 5070: 5068: 4957: 4955: 4953: 4951: 4812: 4810: 4808: 4398: 3705: 3077:

to retreat, the German 6th Army's XVI Panzer-Motorized Corps, under the command of General

2954: 2946: 2942: 2918: 2726: 2707: 2685: 2677: 2565: 2426: 1753: 1749: 1539: 1464: 1315: 1255: 969: 864: 698: 580: 495: 485: 4280: 4278: 4265: 4263: 4261: 4248: 4246: 3952:

The Belgian Army had 1,338 guns, the French 10,700, the British 1,280, and the Dutch 656.

3453:

The Belgians also had trouble moving the oil, food and ammunition that they had left. The

3014: 1573:), to destroy its enemies. The Belgians had predicted the exact German plan as offered by 8: 9947: 9721: 9599: 9555: 9077: 8211: 7970: 7497: 7327: 7311: 7260: 5760: 5710: 5514: 5497: 4302: 3601:

thrust to the east to take Ostend and Bruges, or west to take the ports at Nieuwpoort or

3470: 3434: 3132: 2938: 2934: 2930: 2926: 2922: 2879: 2689: 2434: 2187: 2146: 2138: 2060: 2041:. The two weakest French armies were thus protecting the area of the main German thrust. 1837: 1637: 1494: 1488: 927: 889: 842: 835: 799: 734: 619: 500: 105: 6335: 5146: 5131: 5065: 4948: 4900: 4805: 4290: 2875: 1860:

B-tractor. One report states that a round from a 47 mm gun went straight through a

9940: 9773: 9698: 9652: 9622: 9530: 9370: 9035: 8919: 8813: 8764: 8702: 8458: 8409: 8218: 7835: 7490: 7288: 6653: 6608: 6287: 4275: 4258: 4243: 3965:

The Belgian Army had 10 tanks, the French 3,063, the British 310 and the Dutch 1 tank.

3643:

had destroyed most of the rail networks to Dunkirk, just three roads were left: Bruges–

3458: 2981: 2914: 2840: 2833: 2760: 2380: 2347: 2241: 2235: 1737: 1694: 1574: 1227: 1133: 952: 746: 739: 677: 610: 595: 456: 5876: 5659: 5485: 3315:

The proposal of a British strategic withdrawal from the continent was rejected by the

2477: 2403:, and during the afternoon, I./St.G 2 destroyed nine of the 15 Fiat CR.42 fighters at 2303: 1287: 9931: 9815: 9705: 9645: 9606: 9539: 9521: 9487: 9430: 9384: 9328: 9153: 8891: 8883: 8820: 8673: 8267: 7792: 7253: 7232: 6942: 6705: 6686: 6679: 6660: 6648: 6634: 6615: 6592: 6566: 6539: 6531: 6518: 6500: 6479: 6419: 6398: 6390: 6377: 6359: 6321: 6303: 6257: 6239: 6221: 6199: 6181: 6163: 6145: 6127: 6109: 6068: 3882: 3792: 3417: 3155: 3074: 2748: 2734: 2715: 2633:

accomplished. From the German perspective, the operation hindered rather than helped

2629: 2430: 2415: 2386: 1690: 1674: 1531: 1460: 1424: 1388: 1351: 1272: 903: 896: 870: 849: 753: 650: 605: 505: 3301: 2869:

Belgian civilians fleeing westwards away from the advancing German army, 12 May 1940

2481:) to land inside the fortress perimeter using gliders. Using special explosives and 2425:

In aerial combat the battles were also one-sided. Two He 111s, two Do 17s and three

9850: 9843: 9787: 9451: 9216: 9202: 9105: 9042: 8993: 8806: 8659: 8606: 8416: 8367: 8281: 7504: 7481: 7014: 6279: 4070: 3329: 3293: 3275:

also retreated to what the Belgians called the Ghent bridgehead, behind the rivers

3268: 3065: 3057: 2950: 2849:

helped drive them back. Fears of Allied reinforcements reaching Antwerp forced the

2805:

river, south of Rotterdam, making it impossible for the French to link up with the

2694: 2532: 2438: 2291: 2229: 2117: 2114: 1928: 1924: 1916: 1468: 1407:, thus linking the French defences in the south with the Belgian forces protecting 1195: 1129: 1045: 882: 821: 782: 568: 539: 7023: 6476:

Die Wehrmachtberichte, 1939–1945 – Band 1, 1. September 1939 bis 31. Dezember 1941

307: 250: 9873: 9585: 9500: 9458: 9356: 9299: 9167: 8949: 8940: 8469: 8044: 8020: 7274: 6674: 3660: 3284: 3107: 2547: 2528: 2455: 2346:

Much of the success achieved was down to Richthofen's subordinates, particularly

2106: 2102: 2034: 1845: 1778: 1733: 1729: 1669: 1665: 1601: 1547: 1435: 1416: 1404: 1372: 1307: 1280: 1211: 1178: 1113: 922: 787: 715: 667: 629: 544: 273: 9985: 3380: 3335: 2672:

near Brussels but seven Gladiators and the last remaining Hurricanes from 2/I/2

9880: 9416: 9342: 7387: 7246: 3869: 3692: 3581: 3477: 2634: 2539: 2339: 2130: 1983:

tank was considered one of the most modern types in French service at the time.

1723:

would advance and draw the Allied First Army Group into central Belgium, while

1332: 1310:

in response to the German violation of Belgian neutrality. The Belgian Channel

1303: 1121: 705: 490: 445: 389: 333: 290: 284: 262: 182: 3351:

In the aftermath of this failure, the Belgians were asked to fall back to the

2828:

air assaults, to Antwerp. It would later help in the defence of the city. The

2793:

The French 7th Army, on the northern flank of the Belgian line, protected the

1988: 10021: 9691: 7609: 7458: 7297: 6584: 6580: 6030: 6028: 6026: 6024: 6022: 6020: 4685:

Foot 2005, p. 322. (map of French dispositions is available in Keegan's book)

3656: 3594: 3297: 3249: 3192: 3114: 3078: 3053: 2883: 2802: 2768: 2763:, reached its position on the Dyle river at Leuven. As it did so the Belgian 2711: 2561: 2498: 2398: 2224: 2220: 2079: 2008: 1932: 1770: 1706: 1472: 1340: 1161: 816: 641: 471: 128: 39: 6072: 3097:

and 239 Hotchkiss H35s. Added to this force were the considerable number of

3027:

The results of the bombing are difficult to determine. The German XIX Corps

2283: 2191:(Assault Detachment Koch); named after the commanding officer of the group, 1604:: the Belgians hoped to severely delay the Germans using such fortifications 9990: 9794: 8087: 7992: 7623: 6986: 6750: 3999:, p. 255. French and British losses on Belgian territory are unknown. 3688: 3680: 2482: 2299: 2247: 2160:

Armoured strength in Army Group B amounted to 808 tanks, of which 282 were

1899: 1821: 1760: 1724: 1720: 1641: 1570: 1543: 1476: 1456: 1400: 1320: 1276: 1141: 1137: 995: 691: 328: 321: 315: 221: 43: 6633:. Washington: Center of Military History Publication – Dept. of the Army. 6062: 6056:

The Belgian Campaign and the Surrender of the Belgian Army, 10–28 May 1940

6017: 5837: 5771: 5721: 5525: 5508: 5155: 5140: 5125: 5074: 4961: 4906: 4816: 4548: 4409: 4308: 4296: 4284: 4269: 4252: 3064:

The most serious combat to evolve on 12 May 1940 was the beginning of the

2620:

The German infantry were engaged by several Belgian patrols equipped with

9629: 9615: 9277: 7946: 7767: 7752: 7106: 6411: 3676: 3316: 3102: 3098: 3020: 2906:

4th and 7th Belgian divisions and were particularly distinguished at the

2774: 2245:(III.). On 10 May Keller had 363 aircraft (224 serviceable) augmented by 1948: 1367: 1260: 1215: 917: 720: 194: 3174:

depleted Prioux' Cavalry Corps. When news of the German breakthrough at

2038: 8984: 8737: 8716: 7602: 6935: 6863: 6291: 6101: 6050: 5882: 5665: 5491: 4076: 3466: 3094: 2806: 2669: 2409: 2393: 2209:

The initial air strikes over Belgian air space were to be conducted by

2169: 1940: 1920: 1484: 1452: 1242:

until the autumn of 1944, when it was liberated by the Western Allies.

1223: 657: 434: 302: 206: 4988: 4986: 4984: 4982: 3728:

German soldiers pile up Belgian weapons in Bruges after the surrender.

2185:, that were to take part in the attack on Fort Eben-Emael, were named 1632:, but including Antwerp–as part of the main Allied defensive position. 1597: 9247: 8652: 8449: 8260: 8051: 8006: 3648: 3462: 3393: 3182: 3086: 3028: 2997: 2814: 2810: 2581: 2192: 2173: 2165: 2071: 2004: 1980: 1903: 1825: 1442:, Belgium's monarch from 1934, reviewing Belgian troops in early 1940 1384: 1326: 1166: 964: 7527: 6283: 5415: 3827:

regarding the operations in the west from 10 May to 4 June (German:

3492:

to plug the gap and abandon any offensive operations further south.

2260:

with 550 (420 serviceable) aircraft. They in turn were supported by

10078:

Battles and operations of World War II involving the United Kingdom

10043:

World War II operations and battles of the Western European Theatre

7511: 7239: 5434: 5432: 5430: 5381: 5379: 5330: 5328: 5326: 4998: 4979: 4629: 3602: 3496: 3305: 3296:", fearing that German armour might appear on their right flank at 2798: 2786: 2767:, occupying the position, mistook them for German parachutists and 2653: 2605: 2419: 2307: 2161: 1678: 1377: 1343:

was determined to fight for its own interests, alone if necessary.

1264: 1174: 1067: 662: 5543: 5313: 5311: 5309: 5307: 5305: 5303: 5301: 5264: 5262: 5260: 5258: 3448:

German troops watch Belgian civilian refugees fleeing the fighting

3267:

Between 16 and 17 May, the British and French withdrew behind the

2860: 1480: 4822: 4617: 3788: 3644: 3632: 3585: 3365: 3309: 3280: 3213: 3209: 2821: 2699: 2404: 1936: 1879: 1782: 1668:

guarded the city's northern flank, the tank country lying in the

1645: 1558: 1412: 1286:

Belgium was wary of continuing its alliance with France. Marshal

1105: 257: 238: 155: 10058:

Battles and operations of World War II involving the Netherlands

5915: 5427: 5376: 5323: 3683:, east of Bruges, during the night. Leopold III, and his mother 1447:

invasion did take place it would be effectively resisted by new

1358:, Belgian head of state, an advocate of the policy of neutrality 8128: 6719: 6536:

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany

5444: 5298: 5274: 5255: 4967: 3652: 3577: 3565: 3504: 3361: 3276: 3260: 3205: 2949:

to battle. A series of air battles were fought with JG 1,

2794: 2781:

defences) several miles east of the Dyle between Namur–Perwez.

2262: 2141:

were to operate in Belgium under the command of the 6th Army's

2026:(9 DIM). This force would advance to Breda in the Netherlands. 1895: 1829: 1803:

Order of battle of armour units of the Belgian Army in May 1940

1686: 1682: 1629: 1562: 1550:

and a German thrust through Belgium (which was expanded by the

6065:

Belgium : The Official Account of What Happened 1939–1940

4527: 3036:

fighter cover is inadequate. Requests are still unsuccessful.

1975: 8316: 6448: 6431: 5167: 4581: 3589: 3588:. Further to the west the BEF had been forced back, north of 3573: 3481: 3438: 3201: 3069: 2824:. The battle resulted in the French retiring, in the face of 2722: 2612:

2. Prevent the approach of reserves from the Neufchâteau area

2311: 2056: 1745: 1711: 1649: 1617: 1408: 1396: 1392: 5340: 2882:, Gort's chief of staff, met for a military conference near 6334:

Holleman, Leendert; Rosseels, Alain; Welting, Henk (2008),

3357: 3352: 2471:

pose for a photograph after the capture of Fort Eben-Emael.

1840:. These had excellent 47 mm antitank guns and coaxial 1311: 1291: 6470: 6034: 4780: 4778: 4595: 4593: 1693:

advanced to the Givet–Dinant axis on the Meuse river. The

1318:

valuable bases, and such an attack would offer the German

6007: 6005: 6003: 6001: 5973: 5971: 5969: 5777: 5245: 5243: 5241: 5239: 4605: 2642: 2003:. The armoured forces consisted of 176 of the formidable 1856:, towed either by a truck or by a fully tracked armoured 1644:

was to advance into Belgium, past the Scheldt Estuary in

1592: 10048:

Battles and operations of World War II involving Belgium

5988: 5986: 5956: 5954: 5613: 5611: 5391: 5364: 4742: 4476: 4454: 4452: 4450: 4448: 4446: 4444: 4442: 4180: 4091: 4089: 4087: 4085: 3457:

had air superiority and made everyday life hazardous in

3384:

The Germans advance to the English Channel after 21 May.

3263:, knocked out during the Battle for Antwerp, 19 May 1940 2897:, manned by VI Corps' 5th Infantry Division and the 2nd 2022:(25 Division d'Infanterie Motorisée, or 25 DIM) and the 1844:

machine guns in turrets. The Belgians also possessed 42

1636:

In an agreement with the British and French armies, the

6333: 5352: 5176: 5109: 5107: 5043: 5041: 5039: 5037: 4890: 4888: 4886: 4849: 4847: 4845: 4843: 4841: 4839: 4837: 4795: 4793: 4775: 4635: 4590: 4565: 4563: 4561: 4505: 4503: 4427: 4113: 4060: 4058: 4056: 4054: 3691:

denounced Leopold's surrender, and the Belgian Premier

2538:(LG 2) which assisted in the capture of the bridges at 1774:

height led to a dispersion over 300 metres alone.

1366:'s open declaration of neutrality in October 1936. The 7381:

Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany

5998: 5966: 5893: 5891: 5866: 5864: 5862: 5860: 5858: 5794: 5792: 5738: 5736: 5734: 5732: 5730: 5688: 5686: 5623: 5598: 5596: 5594: 5592: 5579: 5577: 5575: 5562: 5560: 5558: 5463: 5461: 5459: 5286: 5236: 5092: 4732: 4730: 4728: 4726: 4724: 4648: 4646: 4644: 2732:

The German counter-air operations were spearheaded by

2600:

1. Cut signal communications and message links on the

1744:

high speed. The bridges at Veldwezelt, Vroenhoven and

1628:(c) The Belgian Army was to hold the sector–excluding 5983: 5951: 5748: 5608: 5200: 5080: 5022: 4871: 4711: 4709: 4669: 4667: 4665: 4663: 4661: 4488: 4464: 4439: 4415: 4386: 4362: 4314: 4219: 4209: 4207: 4082: 6478:(in German), München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, 6254:

The Blitzkrieg Legend: The 1940 Campaign in the West

5473: 5403: 5224: 5104: 5034: 4936: 4883: 4834: 4790: 4763: 4558: 4515: 4500: 4192: 4134: 4132: 4130: 4128: 4051: 3859: 3375: 6374:

Luftwaffe at War; Blitzkrieg in the West 1939 -1940

6063:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères (1941), 5939: 5927: 5903: 5888: 5855: 5843: 5816: 5804: 5789: 5727: 5698: 5683: 5671: 5647: 5635: 5589: 5572: 5555: 5531: 5456: 5188: 5053: 4721: 4641: 4101: 3339:

Strategic situation in Belgium and France on 21 May

2661:

attacked the Albert Canal bridges. Bf 109s from I./

2564:, a German border region annexed by Belgium in the 1387:; the cream of the Allied forces, including French 1346: 6678: 6652: 6607: 5212: 5010: 4924: 4912: 4859: 4706: 4658: 4374: 4350: 4338: 4326: 4231: 4204: 4168: 4144: 3898:List of British military equipment of World War II 3888:List of Belgian military equipment of World War II 3183:15–21 May: Counterattacks and retreat to the coast 2652:British troops cross the Franco-Belgian border at 2051:British Expeditionary Force order of battle (1940) 56:Belgian soldiers under German guard following the 4156: 4125: 3903:List of German military equipment of World War II 3893:List of French military equipment of World War II 3675:The Royal Navy evacuated General Headquarters at 2392:(JG 27) eliminated two Belgian squadrons at 1824:could muster 22 divisions, which contained 1,338 1483:, and established new lines of defence along the 1302:The Belgians much preferred an alliance with the 10019: 6491: 6252:Frieser, Karl-Heinz; Greenwood, John T. (2005), 6251: 5921: 5549: 5450: 5438: 5421: 5385: 5334: 5317: 5280: 5268: 5004: 4992: 4973: 4828: 4623: 4533: 4023: 3619:German occupation of Belgium during World War II 3131:German soldiers inspecting an abandoned Belgian 1995:(2 Division Légère Mécanique, or 2 DLM) and the 1685:, on the southern flank of the BEF covering the 419: 5838:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5772:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5722:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5526:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5509:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5156:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5141:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5126:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 5075:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4962:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4907:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4817:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4410:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4309:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4297:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4285:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4270:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 4253:Belgium, Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 1941 3360:and the British to the French frontier between 3093:respectively. The 2 DLM and 3 DLM numbered 176 3031:'s situation summary at 20:00 on 14 May noted: 2861:12–14 May: Battles of the central Belgian plain 2322: 1530:On 10 January 1940, in an episode known as the 1250: 1194:included the first tank battle of the war, the 40:German invasion of France and the Low Countries 6631:Historical Perspectives of the Operational Art 3835:Killed in action: 10,232 officers and soldiers 3304:, striking for the channel ports at Calais or 6735: 3802:68,111 killed in action, wounded or captured. 1852:. The standard Belgian anti-tank gun was the 1624:(b) Withdrawal to the Antwerp–Namur position. 1554:to include the Netherlands) and into France. 1011: 405: 6337:Traces of World War 2: The Belgian Air Force 5883:Belgian American Educational Foundation 1941 5666:Belgian American Educational Foundation 1941 5492:Belgian American Educational Foundation 1941 4077:Belgian American Educational Foundation 1941 4006: 3195:anti-tank gun in western Belgium in May 1940 2449: 1999:(3 DLM), which were allocated to defend the 1430: 1226:subsequently evacuated Belgian ports during 1167:attempted to halt the German Army in Belgium 1025: 6673: 6655:Lightning War: Blitzkrieg in the West, 1940 6318:Panzerwaffe: The Campaigns in the West 1940 1700: 1290:had suggested a French strike at Germany's 1104:(10–28 May 1940), often referred to within 6742: 6728: 6628: 6297: 6139: 4748: 4482: 4186: 3920: 3543:transmitted the following message to GHQ: 1991:'s Cavalry Corps. The corps was given the 1018: 1004: 412: 398: 6316:Healy, Mark (2008), Prigent, John (ed.), 6126:, London: Brassey's (UK) Riverside, N.J, 2572:A little known third airborne operation, 1759:Adolf Hitler summoned Lieutenant-General 1652:, in the Netherlands. The British Army's 1159:, and Belgium under the operational plan 212: 10053:Battles of World War II involving France 6579: 6563:The French Defeat of 1940: Reassessments 6512: 6356:The Oxford Companion to Military History 6300:Wings Of War: Airborne Warfare 1918-1945 6269: 6218:The War in France and Flanders 1939–1940 6058:(Third ed.), University of Michigan 5397: 5370: 5346: 5098: 3933: 3927: 3782: 3723: 3622: 3443: 3379: 3334: 3254: 3208:and the night of 18/19 May to the river 3186: 3149: 3126: 3047: 2991: 2864: 2755:During the night of 11 May, the British 2647: 2555: 2459: 1974: 1816:Belgian soldiers resting on the roadside 1811: 1799:Battle of Belgium (1940) order of battle 1719:The German plan of attack required that 1710: 1596: 1522:Militarily, the Belgians considered the 1434: 1362:The French government was infuriated at 1350: 1254: 160: 6702:Junkers Ju 87 Stukageschwader 1937–1941 6647: 6389: 6175: 6162:, London: Grub Street Publishing (UK), 6124:Britain, France, and Belgium, 1939–1940 6052:Belgian American Educational Foundation 5086: 4470: 4458: 4035: 3985: 3972: 3236:) engaged the German Eighteenth Army's 2702:from GBI/12 and GBII/12 escorted by 18 2275:, with 462 fighters (313 serviceable). 1383:The Allied plan to aid Belgium was the 10020: 8596: 8574:Romanian prisoners in the Soviet Union 6605: 6530: 6410: 6371: 6350: 6320:, vol. 1, Shepperton: Ian Allan, 6233: 6142:The Battle of France and Flanders 1940 6078: 6011: 5992: 5977: 5537: 5230: 5113: 5047: 4942: 4894: 4853: 4799: 4784: 4769: 4611: 4599: 4569: 4521: 4509: 4494: 4421: 4119: 4095: 4064: 4031: 4017: 4013: 4000: 3992: 3979: 3966: 3953: 3940: 3805:64,000 vehicles destroyed or abandoned 3204:, the night of 17/18 May to the river 2542:and Veldwezelt in the immediate area. 1878:, six reserve infantry divisions, one 1593:Belgian plans for defensive operations 1569:(literally "cauldron battle", meaning 9445:Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign 8877:Japanese invasion of French Indochina 8523:Italian prisoners in the Soviet Union 8479:Finnish prisoners in the Soviet Union 7577:Rape during the occupation of Germany 6723: 6560: 6315: 6211: 6193: 6140:Bond, Brian; Taylor, Michael (2001), 5960: 5783: 5754: 5617: 5479: 5409: 5358: 5292: 5249: 5059: 4754: 4736: 4652: 4636:Holleman, Rosseels & Welting 2008 4150: 4107: 3996: 3841:Wounded: 42,523 officers and soldiers 999: 393: 8567:Polish prisoners in the Soviet Union 7592:Rape during the liberation of France 6699: 6589:The Oxford Companion to World War II 6256:, Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 6157: 6121: 6100: 5945: 5933: 5909: 5897: 5870: 5849: 5822: 5810: 5798: 5742: 5704: 5692: 5677: 5653: 5641: 5629: 5602: 5583: 5566: 5467: 5218: 5206: 5194: 5182: 5028: 5016: 4930: 4918: 4877: 4865: 4715: 4673: 4433: 4392: 4380: 4368: 4356: 4344: 4332: 4320: 4237: 4225: 4213: 4198: 4174: 4162: 4138: 3959: 3838:Missing: 8,463 officers and soldiers 3631:The Belgian Army was stretched from 3627:Negotiating the Belgian capitulation 3612: 6591:. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 6515:France 1940: Blitzkrieg in the West 6397:, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 6358:, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 3946: 3848:from 10 May to 3 June: 432 aircraft 3321:Chief of the Imperial General Staff 2889:The Belgian III Corps, and its 1st 2809:. The Dutch Army withdrew north to 2608:and Neufchâteau–Martelange roads. 1245: 1240:Belgium was occupied by the Germans 13: 10063:Belgium–Germany military relations 8793:German invasion of the Netherlands 7066:Weather events during World War II 6629:Krause, Michael; Cody, P. (2006). 6553: 6180:, Oxford: Osprey Publishing (UK), 6089:from the original on 27 March 2013 3736:Killed in action: 6,093 and 2,000 3000:tanks in western Belgium, May 1940 2710:lost six Blenheims destroyed when 2585:Grossdeutschland Infantry Regiment 2560:German soldiers are welcomed into 2527:77) helped suppress the defences. 1792: 361:5,446 aircraft (4,020 operational) 19:For the World War I invasion, see 14: 10094: 9424:Northern Burma and Western Yunnan 6376:, Leicester: Midland Publishing, 6236:France, Holland, and Belgium 1940 4551:Ministère des Affaires Étrangères 3808:2,472 guns destroyed or abandoned 3376:22–28 May: Last defensive battles 2546:flying to their objectives using 2044: 1807: 1610:in the event of German aggression 1337:remilitarisation of the Rhineland 1165:(Case Yellow). The Allied armies 21:German invasion of Belgium (1914) 9984: 6749: 6614:. London: Hodder and Stoughton. 6082:Belgian Fortifications, May 1940 3862: 3851:Losses of the Kriegsmarine: none 3056:commanded XVI Army Corps at the 2973:battle and to the result of war. 2282:headquarters would operate from 2124: 2020:25th Motorised Infantry Division 1970: 1850:13.2 mm turret machine guns 1347:Belgian place in Allied strategy 327: 314: 301: 289: 278: 267: 256: 249: 237: 214: 199: 187: 175: 162: 148: 50: 6272:The Journal of Military History 6043: 6035:Oberkommando der Wehrmacht 1985 4697: 4688: 4679: 3821:The consolidated report of the 3392:, which checked its advance at 3234:17th reserve infantry divisions 2111:RAF Advanced Air Striking Force 2031:5th Motorised Infantry Division 2024:9th Motorised Infantry Division 1206:. The battle also included the 9671:Vietnamese famine of 1944–1945 7374:Territorial changes of Germany 7282:Indonesian National Revolution 6565:. Providence: Berghahn Books. 6497:Dunkirk: Fight to the Last Man 3060:and the Gembloux gap offensive 2853:to cover the Scheldt estuary. 2227:. Keller's force consisted of 2129:Army Group B was commanded by 2078:, who was in turn replaced by 1306:. The British had entered the 1297:French–Soviet pact of May 1935 74:(2 weeks and 4 days) 16:World War II military campaign 1: 9071:Japanese invasion of Thailand 9022:Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran 8786:German invasion of Luxembourg 7160:Mediterranean and Middle East 6677:; Mayer, S. L., eds. (1974). 6517:, Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 6452:Belgian Order of Battle: Navy 6435:Belgian Order of Battle: Army 6106:France and Belgium, 1939–1940 3908: 3878:German invasion of Luxembourg 3732:Belgian casualties stood at: 3711: 2759:under the command of General 2485:to disable the defences, the 2016:1st Light Mechanized Division 1997:3rd Light Mechanized Division 1993:2nd Light Mechanized Division 1656:or BEF, commanded by General 1128:), formed part of the larger 371:222,443+ casualties (200,000 8978:Invasion of the Soviet Union 8667:Occupation of Czechoslovakia 7978:Independent State of Croatia 5439:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5422:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5386:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5335:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5318:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5281:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5269:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 5005:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 4993:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 4974:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 4624:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 4534:Frieser & Greenwood 2005 4045: 3771:Prisoners of War: 1,900,000. 3499:area of the Leie during the 2785:Germans had advanced beyond 2233:(Stab. I., II., III., IV.), 1912:Aéronautique Militaire Belge 1471:. The government modernised 1251:Belgium's strained alliances 1083:German occupation of Belgium 122:German occupation of Belgium 7: 9962:End of World War II in Asia 9802:Western invasion of Germany 9309:Chinese famine of 1942–1943 9286:Second Battle of El Alamein 8856:Hundred Regiments Offensive 8828:Battle of the Mediterranean 8681:Italian invasion of Albania 6848:Air warfare of World War II 6418:, New York: Penguin Books, 6212:Ellis, Major L.F. (2004) , 3855: 3697:Belgian government in exile 1654:British Expeditionary Force 1232:British Expeditionary Force 381: 10: 10099: 9888:Naval bombardment of Japan 9256:First Battle of El Alamein 9175:Battle of Christmas Island 9120:Japanese invasion of Burma 8884:Italian invasion of Greece 8800:German invasion of Belgium 8772:German invasion of Denmark 8745:1939–1940 Winter Offensive 8614:Second Italo-Ethiopian War 6871:Comparative military ranks 6681:A History of World War Two 6472:Oberkommando der Wehrmacht 6372:Hooton, Edward R. (2007), 6298:Harclerode, Peter (2006), 6196:The World War II Data Book 3824:Oberkommando der Wehrmacht 3778: 3719: 3616: 3154:Destroyed French tanks in 2729:was lost in another raid. 2453: 2239:(Stab. I., II., III.) and 2048: 1963:with 53 aircraft, and the 1796: 1704: 1177:, and advanced toward the 980:Raids on the Atlantic Wall 975:Strategic Bombing Campaign 18: 9977: 9809:Bratislava–Brno offensive 9749: 9740:Dutch famine of 1944–1945 9477: 9364:Allied invasion of Sicily 9318: 9224:Aleutian Islands campaign 9196:Zhejiang-Jiangxi campaign 9143: 9134:Greek famine of 1941–1944 9029:Second Battle of Changsha 8934:German invasion of Greece 8902: 8779:Battle of Zaoyang–Yichang 8754: 8692: 8587: 8468: 8194: 8104: 7945: 7648: 7639: 7397: 7222: 7114:North and Central Pacific 7075: 6837: 6830: 6757: 6685:. London: Octopus Books. 6606:Harman, Nicholas (1980). 6108:, London: Davis-Poynter, 3816: 3787:A destroyed French heavy 3756: 2910:and the Battle of Halen. 2845:supported by Ju 87s from 2721:bombed their airfield at 2489:entered the fortress. In 2450:10–11 May: Border battles 2317: 2155:Battle of the Netherlands 2101:was added to the British 1467:and its violation of the 1463:, its repudiation of the 1431:Belgian military strategy 1208:Battle of Fort Eben-Emael 1037: 431: 365: 340: 229: 140: 64: 49: 37: 32: 9401:Allied invasion of Italy 9378:Solomon Islands campaign 9127:Third Battle of Changsha 8724:First Battle of Changsha 8630:Second Sino-Japanese War 7563:German military brothels 7429:United States war crimes 6079:Bloock, Bernard (2003), 3913: 3765:Killed in action: 90,000 3501:Battle of the Lys (1940) 3323:(CIGS). They dispatched 3246:526th infantry divisions 2183:22nd Airlanding Division 1953:Régiments d'Aéronautique 1701:German operational plans 1151:On 10 May 1940, Germany 1126:Achttiendaagse Veldtocht 1029:Battle of Belgium (1940) 9823:Second Guangxi campaign 9678:Philippines (1944–1945) 9182:Battle of the Coral Sea 9085:Fall of the Philippines 8731:Battle of South Guangxi 8637:Battles of Khalkhin Gol 8036:Italian Social Republic 6513:Shepperd, Alan (1990), 6176:Dunstan, Simon (2005), 3752:Aircraft: 112 destroyed 3541:Admiral Sir Roger Keyes 3522:10th infantry divisions 3490:50th infantry divisions 3191:German infantry with a 2704:Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 2520:Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 2267:Kurt-Bertram von Döring 2109:(RAF) personnel of the 1834:Belgian combat vehicles 1658:John Vereker, Lord Gort 1391:, would advance to the 58:fall of Fort Eben-Emael 9408:Armistice of Cassibile 9210:Battle of Dutch Harbor 9161:Battle of the Java Sea 9064:Attack on Pearl Harbor 8964:Syria–Lebanon campaign 8957:Battle of South Shanxi 8927:Invasion of Yugoslavia 8710:Battle of the Atlantic 8324:Korean Liberation Army 8030:(until September 1943) 7987:(until September 1944) 7965:(until September 1944) 6538:, Simon and Schuster, 6493:Sebag-Montefiore, Hugh 6238:, Hersham: Ian Allan, 6144:, London: Leo Cooper, 4483:Bond & Taylor 2001 4187:Bond & Taylor 2001 3795: 3743:Missing: more than 500 3729: 3685:Queen Mother Elisabeth 3673: 3628: 3607:44th Infantry Division 3550: 3449: 3430: 3385: 3340: 3264: 3196: 3159: 3135: 3125: 3061: 3038: 3001: 2990: 2870: 2765:10th Infantry Division 2761:Bernard Law Montgomery 2657: 2618: 2569: 2472: 2367:, whose attachment to 2296:North Rhine-Westphalia 2290:30 which was based at 2252:Wolfram von Richthofen 1984: 1959:with 60 aircraft, the 1817: 1716: 1634: 1605: 1583:Raoul Van Overstraeten 1516: 1443: 1427:of the Ruhr industry. 1403:line, and holding the 1359: 1268: 1236:armistice with Germany 1210:, the first strategic 1200:North African Campaign 1125: 1117: 1078:Invasion of Luxembourg 230:Commanders and leaders 83:Belgium and Luxembourg 9572:Second Battle of Guam 9468:Bengal famine of 1943 9438:Second Battle of Kiev 9394:Battle of the Dnieper 9099:Battle of Wake Island 8971:East African campaign 8913:Battle of South Henan 8558:atrocities by Germans 8331:Korean Volunteer Army 7305:Occupation of Germany 7059:Music in World War II 6234:Fowler, Will (2002), 5922:Sebag-Montefiore 2006 5550:Sebag-Montefiore 2006 5451:Sebag-Montefiore 2006 5170:Order of Battle, Army 4829:Sebag-Montefiore 2006 4584:Order of Battle: Navy 3786: 3727: 3668: 3626: 3545: 3447: 3423: 3383: 3338: 3258: 3190: 3153: 3130: 3120: 3051: 3033: 3007:Walther von Reichenau 2995: 2966: 2955:Messerschmitt Bf 110s 2868: 2757:3rd Infantry Division 2651: 2598: 2559: 2463: 2427:Messerschmitt Bf 109s 2358:Johann-Volkmar Fisser 2338:was to spearhead the 2113:under the command of 1978: 1955:(air regiments): the 1898:under the command of 1815: 1714: 1640:under the command of 1614: 1600: 1534:, German Army major, 1504: 1438: 1354: 1335:, the day before the 1258: 1118:Campagne des 18 jours 673:Battle of Britain Day 366:Casualties and losses 127:German annexation of 10073:Invasions by Germany 10068:Invasions of Belgium 9858:Surrender of Germany 9336:Battle of West Hubei 9293:Guadalcanal campaign 9263:Battle of Stalingrad 9189:Battle of Madagascar 7956:Albania protectorate 7743:(formerly Swaziland) 7452:Wehrmacht war crimes 7268:Expulsion of Germans 7052:Art and World War II 6950:British contribution 6899:Governments in exile 6561:Blatt, Joel (1998). 6499:, New York: Viking, 6416:The Second World War 6302:, Arizona: Phoenix, 6194:Ellis, John (1993), 6158:Cull, Brian (1999), 6122:Bond, Brian (1990), 4760:Tugwell 2006, p. 52. 3706:Belgian Armed Forces 3009:'s German 6th Army. 2727:No. 150 Squadron RAF 2725:. Another Battle of 2678:Beauvechain Air Base 2566:Treaty of Versailles 2508:Sturzkampfgeschwader 2149:was attached to the 1838:T-13 tank destroyers 1832:tanks. However, the 1750:Walter von Reichenau 1544:Mechelen-aan-de-Maas 1540:Messerschmitt Bf 108 1538:, crash-landed in a 1465:Treaty of Versailles 1316:German Imperial Navy 1259:A pacifist rally in 970:Defence of the Reich 451:The Heligoland Bight 9948:Potsdam Declaration 9837:Italy (Spring 1945) 9600:Liberation of Paris 9057:Siege of Sevastopol 8068:(until August 1944) 7971:Wang Jingwei regime 7793:from September 1943 7753:from September 1944 7691:from September 1944 7551:Romanian war crimes 7542:Persecution of Jews 7528:Croatian war crimes 7498:Japanese war crimes 7312:Occupation of Japan 7261:First Indochina War 6973:Military production 6885:Declarations of war 6700:Weal, John (1997). 5786:, pp. 135–136. 5424:, pp. 243–244. 5349:, pp. 221–224. 5185:, pp. 116–121. 5007:, pp. 138–139. 4995:, pp. 126–127. 4614:, pp. 95, 324. 4436:, pp. 100–101. 3133:T-13 tank destroyer 2982:in 1914 on the Yser 2960:Zerstörergeschwader 2908:Battle of Tirlemont 2899:Chasseurs Ardennais 2891:Chasseurs Ardennais 2880:Henry Royds Pownall 2626:Chasseurs Ardennais 2495:Chasseurs Ardennais 2469:Sturmabteilung Koch 2435:No. 18 Squadron RAF 2272:Jagdfliegerführer 2 2217:General der Flieger 2188:Sturmabteilung Koch 2147:9th Panzer Division 1888:Belgian Naval Corps 1876:Chasseurs Ardennais 1869:Chasseurs Ardennais 1828:pieces but just 10 1766:7. Flieger-Division 1677:, advancing toward 1536:Hellmuth Reinberger 1495:Chasseurs Ardennais 1181:. The German Army ( 1098:invasion of Belgium 1056:Ypres-Comines Canal 959:Strategic campaigns 562:Ypres–Comines Canal 9941:Surrender of Japan 9774:Battle of Iwo Jima 9623:Belgrade offensive 9036:Siege of Leningrad 8920:Battle of Shanggao 8849:British Somaliland 8814:Dunkirk evacuation 8765:Norwegian campaign 8703:Invasion of Poland 8530:Japanese prisoners 7491:Italian war crimes 7422:British war crimes 7337:Soviet occupations 7121:South-West Pacific 7008:Allied cooperation 6966:Military equipment 6704:. Oxford: Osprey. 6649:Powaski, Ronald E. 6532:Shirer, William L. 6395:The Fall of France 6391:Jackson, Julian T. 6160:Twelve Days in May 6067:, Evans Brothers, 4703:Foot 2005, p. 324. 4694:Foot 2005, p. 130. 3796: 3730: 3629: 3450: 3386: 3341: 3265: 3197: 3165:Battle of Gembloux 3160: 3136: 3099:Renault AMR-ZT-63s 3062: 3002: 2871: 2847:VIII. Fliegerkorps 2676:were destroyed at 2658: 2570: 2491:the ensuing battle 2473: 2431:Gloster Gladiators 2429:were shot down by 2369:VIII. Fliegerkorps 2353:and its commander 2326:operations: 10 May 2257:VIII. Fliegerkorps 2242:Kampfgeschwader 27 2236:Kampfgeschwader 30 2105:. A further 9,392 1985: 1967:with 79 aircraft. 1818: 1738:motorised infantry 1717: 1608:The Belgian plan, 1606: 1575:Erich von Manstein 1444: 1389:armoured divisions 1360: 1269: 1153:invaded Luxembourg 985:Battle of Atlantic 102:Belgian government 10033:Conflicts in 1940 10028:Battle of Belgium 10015: 10014: 9973: 9972: 9816:Battle of Okinawa 9715:Burma (1944–1945) 9549:Mariana and Palau 9329:Tunisian campaign 9154:Fall of Singapore 9078:Fall of Hong Kong 8821:Battle of Britain 8674:Operation Himmler 8583: 8582: 8247:Dutch East Indies 7883:Southern Rhodesia 7635: 7634: 7535:Genocide of Serbs 7438:German war crimes 7415:Soviet war crimes 7408:Allied war crimes 7254:Division of Korea 7233:Chinese Civil War 7031:Strategic bombing 6943:Manhattan Project 6711:978-1-85532-636-1 6692:978-0-7064-0399-2 6666:978-0-471-39431-0 6640:978-0-16-072564-7 6621:978-0-340-24299-5 6598:978-0-19-860446-4 6572:978-1-57181-109-7 6545:978-0-671-72868-7 6524:978-0-85045-958-6 6506:978-0-670-91082-3 6485:978-3-423-05944-2 6449:Niehorster, Leo, 6432:Niehorster, Leo, 6425:978-0-14-303573-2 6404:978-0-19-280550-8 6383:978-1-85780-272-6 6365:978-0-19-866209-9 6327:978-0-7110-3240-8 6309:978-0-304-36730-6 6263:978-1-59114-294-2 6245:978-0-7110-2944-6 6227:978-1-84574-056-6 6205:978-1-85410-254-6 6187:978-1-84176-821-2 6169:978-1-902304-12-0 6151:978-0-85052-811-4 6133:978-0-08-037700-1 6115:978-0-7067-0168-5 5840:, pp. 44–45. 5632:, pp. 71–72. 5552:, pp. 70–71. 5361:, pp. 37–38. 5295:, pp. 37–38. 5252:, pp. 56–57. 5209:, pp. 59–60. 5128:, pp. 36–37. 5031:, pp. 61–62. 4880:, pp. 19–20. 4831:, pp. 50–51. 4787:, pp. 45–46. 4626:, pp. 46–47. 4602:, pp. 48–49. 4412:, pp. 32–33. 4395:, pp. 46–47. 4371:, pp. 28–36. 4323:, pp. 24–25. 4228:, pp. 22–23. 4122:, pp. 95–96. 3883:Mechelen incident 3746:Captured: 200,000 3740:died in captivity 3738:Belgian prisoners 3613:Belgian surrender 3418:Winston Churchill 3261:Renault ACG1 tank 3222:Belgian VII Corps 3141:Belgian III Corps 2980:Just as they did 2735:Jagdgeschwader 26 2630:Charles Huntziger 2439:Bristol Blenheims 2153:which, after the 2067:was commanded by 1732:was reached, all 1532:Mechelen Incident 1461:League of Nations 1425:strategic bombing 1273:military strategy 1192:Battle of Belgium 1110:18 Days' Campaign 1091: 1090: 993: 992: 388: 387: 382:German casualties 136: 135: 100:Establishment of 97:Belgian surrender 33:Battle of Belgium 10090: 10008: 10001: 9994: 9991:World portal 9989: 9988: 9964: 9957: 9950: 9943: 9934: 9927: 9920: 9911: 9904: 9897: 9890: 9883: 9876: 9867: 9860: 9853: 9851:Prague offensive 9846: 9844:Battle of Berlin 9839: 9832: 9825: 9818: 9811: 9804: 9797: 9790: 9788:Vienna offensive 9783: 9776: 9769: 9767:Battle of Manila 9762: 9742: 9733: 9724: 9717: 9708: 9701: 9694: 9687: 9680: 9673: 9666: 9657: 9648: 9641: 9632: 9625: 9618: 9611: 9602: 9595: 9588: 9581: 9574: 9567: 9560: 9551: 9544: 9535: 9526: 9517: 9510: 9508:Korsun–Cherkassy 9503: 9492: 9470: 9461: 9454: 9447: 9440: 9433: 9426: 9419: 9410: 9403: 9396: 9389: 9380: 9373: 9366: 9359: 9352: 9350:Bombing of Gorky 9345: 9338: 9331: 9311: 9304: 9295: 9288: 9281: 9272: 9265: 9258: 9251: 9240: 9233: 9226: 9219: 9217:Battle of Midway 9212: 9205: 9203:Battle of Gazala 9198: 9191: 9184: 9177: 9170: 9163: 9156: 9136: 9129: 9122: 9115: 9113:Battle of Borneo 9108: 9106:Malayan campaign 9101: 9094: 9087: 9080: 9073: 9066: 9059: 9052: 9050:Bombing of Gorky 9045: 9043:Battle of Moscow 9038: 9031: 9024: 9017: 9010: 9003: 8987: 8980: 8973: 8966: 8959: 8952: 8943: 8936: 8929: 8922: 8915: 8895: 8886: 8879: 8872: 8865: 8858: 8851: 8844: 8837: 8830: 8823: 8816: 8809: 8807:Battle of France 8802: 8795: 8788: 8781: 8774: 8767: 8747: 8740: 8733: 8726: 8719: 8712: 8705: 8683: 8676: 8669: 8662: 8660:Munich Agreement 8655: 8648: 8639: 8632: 8625: 8616: 8609: 8594: 8593: 8576: 8569: 8560: 8553: 8546: 8545:Soviet prisoners 8539: 8532: 8525: 8516: 8509: 8500: 8493: 8486: 8485:German prisoners 8481: 8461: 8452: 8445: 8438: 8433: 8426: 8419: 8412: 8405: 8398: 8391: 8384: 8377: 8370: 8363: 8356: 8349: 8342: 8333: 8326: 8319: 8312: 8305: 8298: 8291: 8284: 8277: 8270: 8263: 8256: 8249: 8242: 8235: 8228: 8221: 8214: 8207: 8187: 8180: 8173: 8166: 8159: 8152: 8145: 8138: 8131: 8124: 8117: 8097: 8090: 8083: 8076: 8069: 8061: 8054: 8047: 8038: 8031: 8023: 8016: 8014:French Indochina 8009: 8002: 7995: 7988: 7980: 7973: 7966: 7958: 7938: 7929: 7922: 7913: 7906: 7899: 7892: 7885: 7878: 7871: 7864: 7861:from August 1944 7852: 7845: 7838: 7831: 7824: 7817: 7810: 7803: 7796: 7784: 7777: 7770: 7763: 7756: 7744: 7736: 7729: 7722: 7715: 7708: 7701: 7694: 7682: 7675: 7668: 7661: 7646: 7645: 7626: 7619: 7612: 7605: 7598: 7587: 7572: 7565: 7558: 7553: 7544: 7537: 7530: 7521: 7514: 7507: 7505:Nanjing Massacre 7500: 7493: 7484: 7482:Nuremberg trials 7475: 7468: 7461: 7454: 7447: 7440: 7431: 7424: 7417: 7410: 7390: 7383: 7376: 7367: 7360: 7353: 7346: 7339: 7332: 7323: 7314: 7307: 7300: 7293: 7284: 7277: 7270: 7263: 7256: 7249: 7242: 7235: 7215: 7206: 7199: 7192: 7183: 7176: 7169: 7162: 7153: 7146: 7139: 7130: 7123: 7116: 7109: 7102: 7095: 7088: 7086:Asia and Pacific 7068: 7061: 7054: 7047: 7040: 7033: 7026: 7017: 7015:Mulberry harbour 7010: 7003: 6996: 6989: 6982: 6975: 6968: 6961: 6952: 6945: 6938: 6929: 6922: 6915: 6908: 6901: 6894: 6887: 6880: 6873: 6866: 6857: 6850: 6835: 6834: 6823: 6816: 6807: 6800: 6793: 6786: 6779: 6772: 6765: 6744: 6737: 6730: 6721: 6720: 6715: 6696: 6684: 6675:Taylor, A. J. P. 6670: 6658: 6644: 6625: 6613: 6602: 6576: 6548: 6527: 6509: 6488: 6467: 6466: 6464: 6455:, archived from 6445: 6444: 6442: 6428: 6407: 6386: 6368: 6347: 6346: 6344: 6330: 6312: 6294: 6266: 6248: 6230: 6208: 6190: 6172: 6154: 6136: 6118: 6097: 6096: 6094: 6075: 6059: 6038: 6032: 6015: 6009: 5996: 5990: 5981: 5975: 5964: 5958: 5949: 5943: 5937: 5931: 5925: 5919: 5913: 5907: 5901: 5895: 5886: 5880: 5874: 5868: 5853: 5847: 5841: 5835: 5826: 5820: 5814: 5808: 5802: 5796: 5787: 5781: 5775: 5769: 5758: 5752: 5746: 5740: 5725: 5719: 5708: 5702: 5696: 5690: 5681: 5675: 5669: 5663: 5657: 5651: 5645: 5639: 5633: 5627: 5621: 5615: 5606: 5600: 5587: 5581: 5570: 5564: 5553: 5547: 5541: 5535: 5529: 5523: 5512: 5506: 5495: 5489: 5483: 5477: 5471: 5465: 5454: 5448: 5442: 5436: 5425: 5419: 5413: 5407: 5401: 5395: 5389: 5383: 5374: 5368: 5362: 5356: 5350: 5344: 5338: 5332: 5321: 5315: 5296: 5290: 5284: 5278: 5272: 5266: 5253: 5247: 5234: 5228: 5222: 5216: 5210: 5204: 5198: 5192: 5186: 5180: 5174: 5165: 5159: 5153: 5144: 5138: 5129: 5123: 5117: 5111: 5102: 5096: 5090: 5084: 5078: 5072: 5063: 5057: 5051: 5045: 5032: 5026: 5020: 5014: 5008: 5002: 4996: 4990: 4977: 4971: 4965: 4959: 4946: 4940: 4934: 4928: 4922: 4916: 4910: 4904: 4898: 4892: 4881: 4875: 4869: 4863: 4857: 4851: 4832: 4826: 4820: 4814: 4803: 4797: 4788: 4782: 4773: 4767: 4761: 4758: 4752: 4746: 4740: 4734: 4719: 4713: 4704: 4701: 4695: 4692: 4686: 4683: 4677: 4671: 4656: 4650: 4639: 4633: 4627: 4621: 4615: 4609: 4603: 4597: 4588: 4579: 4573: 4567: 4556: 4546: 4537: 4531: 4525: 4519: 4513: 4507: 4498: 4492: 4486: 4480: 4474: 4468: 4462: 4456: 4437: 4431: 4425: 4419: 4413: 4407: 4396: 4390: 4384: 4378: 4372: 4366: 4360: 4354: 4348: 4342: 4336: 4330: 4324: 4318: 4312: 4306: 4300: 4294: 4288: 4282: 4273: 4267: 4256: 4250: 4241: 4235: 4229: 4223: 4217: 4211: 4202: 4201:, pp. 9–10. 4196: 4190: 4184: 4178: 4172: 4166: 4160: 4154: 4148: 4142: 4136: 4123: 4117: 4111: 4105: 4099: 4093: 4080: 4074: 4068: 4062: 4039: 4034:, p. 57; 4027: 4021: 4010: 4004: 3989: 3983: 3976: 3970: 3963: 3957: 3950: 3944: 3937: 3931: 3924: 3872: 3867: 3866: 3865: 3768:Wounded: 200,000 3330:Operation Dynamo 3325:General Ironside 3269:Willebroek Canal 3066:Battle of Hannut 3058:Battle of Hannut 2953:, 26, 27 and 3. 2876:Édouard Daladier 2529:Henschel Hs 123s 2413: 2402: 2384: 2366: 2280:IV. Fliegerkorps 2230:Lehrgeschwader 1 2212:IV. Fliegerkorps 2118:Patrick Playfair 2115:Air Vice-Marshal 2083:Harold Alexander 2074:, later Lt-Gen. 1929:Koolhoven F.K.56 1925:Hawker Hurricane 1917:Brewster Buffalo 1670:strategic depths 1648:if possible, to 1489:'s-Hertogenbosch 1469:Locarno Treaties 1373:Panzer divisions 1364:King Leopold III 1356:King Leopold III 1333:Western Alliance 1314:had offered the 1246:Pre-battle plans 1228:Operation Dynamo 1218:ever attempted. 1214:operation using 1196:Battle of Hannut 1142:Second World War 1130:Battle of France 1102:Belgian campaign 1032: 1030: 1020: 1013: 1006: 997: 996: 822:Atlantic Pockets 426: 422:Western Front of 414: 407: 400: 391: 390: 336: 332: 331: 319: 318: 306: 305: 298: 294: 293: 283: 282: 272: 271: 261: 260: 253: 242: 241: 224: 220: 218: 217: 205: 203: 202: 193: 191: 190: 181: 179: 178: 172: 168: 166: 165: 154: 152: 151: 66: 65: 54: 30: 29: 10098: 10097: 10093: 10092: 10091: 10089: 10088: 10087: 10083:May 1940 events 10038:1940 in Belgium 10018: 10017: 10016: 10011: 10004: 9997: 9983: 9981: 9969: 9960: 9953: 9946: 9939: 9930: 9923: 9916: 9907: 9902:Atomic bombings 9900: 9893: 9886: 9879: 9872: 9863: 9856: 9849: 9842: 9835: 9828: 9821: 9814: 9807: 9800: 9793: 9786: 9779: 9772: 9765: 9758: 9745: 9738: 9727: 9720: 9713: 9704: 9697: 9690: 9683: 9676: 9669: 9660: 9651: 9644: 9635: 9628: 9621: 9614: 9605: 9598: 9593:Eastern Romania 9591: 9586:Warsaw Uprising 9584: 9579:Tannenberg Line 9577: 9570: 9565:Western Ukraine 9563: 9554: 9547: 9538: 9529: 9520: 9513: 9506: 9495: 9486: 9473: 9466: 9457: 9450: 9443: 9436: 9429: 9422: 9415: 9406: 9399: 9392: 9383: 9376: 9369: 9362: 9357:Battle of Kursk 9355: 9348: 9341: 9334: 9327: 9314: 9307: 9298: 9291: 9284: 9275: 9268: 9261: 9254: 9245: 9236: 9229: 9222: 9215: 9208: 9201: 9194: 9187: 9180: 9173: 9168:St Nazaire Raid 9166: 9159: 9152: 9139: 9132: 9125: 9118: 9111: 9104: 9097: 9090: 9083: 9076: 9069: 9062: 9055: 9048: 9041: 9034: 9027: 9020: 9013: 9006: 8992: 8983: 8976: 8969: 8962: 8955: 8950:Anglo-Iraqi War 8948: 8941:Battle of Crete 8939: 8932: 8925: 8918: 8911: 8898: 8889: 8882: 8875: 8870:Eastern Romania 8868: 8861: 8854: 8847: 8840: 8833: 8826: 8819: 8812: 8805: 8798: 8791: 8784: 8777: 8770: 8763: 8750: 8743: 8736: 8729: 8722: 8715: 8708: 8701: 8688: 8679: 8672: 8665: 8658: 8651: 8644: 8635: 8628: 8621: 8612: 8605: 8579: 8572: 8565: 8556: 8549: 8544: 8535: 8528: 8521: 8512: 8505: 8496: 8489: 8484: 8477: 8464: 8457: 8448: 8441: 8436: 8431:Western Ukraine 8429: 8422: 8415: 8408: 8401: 8394: 8387: 8380: 8375:Northeast China 8373: 8366: 8359: 8352: 8345: 8338: 8329: 8322: 8315: 8308: 8301: 8294: 8287: 8280: 8273: 8266: 8259: 8252: 8245: 8238: 8231: 8224: 8217: 8210: 8203: 8190: 8183: 8176: 8169: 8162: 8155: 8148: 8141: 8134: 8127: 8120: 8113: 8100: 8093: 8086: 8079: 8074:Slovak Republic 8072: 8064: 8057: 8050: 8045:Empire of Japan 8043: 8034: 8026: 8019: 8012: 8005: 7998: 7991: 7983: 7976: 7969: 7961: 7954: 7941: 7934: 7925: 7918: 7909: 7902: 7895: 7888: 7881: 7874: 7867: 7855: 7848: 7841: 7834: 7827: 7820: 7813: 7806: 7799: 7787: 7780: 7773: 7766: 7759: 7747: 7739: 7732: 7725: 7718: 7711: 7704: 7697: 7685: 7678: 7671: 7664: 7657: 7631: 7622: 7615: 7608: 7601: 7590: 7575: 7568: 7561: 7557:Sexual violence 7556: 7549: 7540: 7533: 7526: 7517: 7510: 7503: 7496: 7489: 7480: 7471: 7464: 7457: 7450: 7443: 7436: 7427: 7420: 7413: 7406: 7393: 7386: 7379: 7372: 7363: 7356: 7349: 7342: 7335: 7326: 7317: 7310: 7303: 7296: 7287: 7280: 7275:Greek Civil War 7273: 7266: 7259: 7252: 7245: 7238: 7231: 7218: 7211: 7202: 7195: 7188: 7179: 7172: 7165: 7158: 7149: 7142: 7135: 7126: 7119: 7112: 7105: 7100:South-East Asia 7098: 7091: 7084: 7071: 7064: 7057: 7050: 7043: 7036: 7029: 7022: 7013: 7006: 6999: 6992: 6985: 6978: 6971: 6964: 6959:Military awards 6957: 6948: 6941: 6934: 6925: 6918: 6911: 6904: 6897: 6890: 6883: 6876: 6869: 6862: 6853: 6846: 6826: 6819: 6812: 6803: 6796: 6789: 6784: 6775: 6768: 6761: 6753: 6748: 6718: 6712: 6693: 6667: 6641: 6622: 6599: 6573: 6556: 6554:Further reading 6551: 6546: 6525: 6507: 6486: 6462: 6460: 6440: 6438: 6426: 6405: 6384: 6366: 6352:Holmes, Richard 6342: 6340: 6328: 6310: 6284:10.2307/1985797 6264: 6246: 6228: 6206: 6198:, Aurum Press, 6188: 6178:Fort Eben Emael 6170: 6152: 6134: 6116: 6092: 6090: 6046: 6041: 6033: 6018: 6010: 5999: 5991: 5984: 5976: 5967: 5959: 5952: 5944: 5940: 5932: 5928: 5920: 5916: 5908: 5904: 5896: 5889: 5881: 5877: 5869: 5856: 5848: 5844: 5836: 5829: 5821: 5817: 5809: 5805: 5797: 5790: 5782: 5778: 5770: 5761: 5753: 5749: 5741: 5728: 5720: 5711: 5703: 5699: 5691: 5684: 5676: 5672: 5664: 5660: 5652: 5648: 5640: 5636: 5628: 5624: 5616: 5609: 5601: 5590: 5582: 5573: 5565: 5556: 5548: 5544: 5536: 5532: 5524: 5515: 5507: 5498: 5490: 5486: 5478: 5474: 5466: 5457: 5449: 5445: 5437: 5428: 5420: 5416: 5408: 5404: 5396: 5392: 5384: 5377: 5369: 5365: 5357: 5353: 5345: 5341: 5333: 5324: 5316: 5299: 5291: 5287: 5279: 5275: 5267: 5256: 5248: 5237: 5229: 5225: 5217: 5213: 5205: 5201: 5193: 5189: 5181: 5177: 5166: 5162: 5154: 5147: 5139: 5132: 5124: 5120: 5112: 5105: 5097: 5093: 5085: 5081: 5073: 5066: 5058: 5054: 5046: 5035: 5027: 5023: 5015: 5011: 5003: 4999: 4991: 4980: 4972: 4968: 4960: 4949: 4941: 4937: 4929: 4925: 4917: 4913: 4905: 4901: 4893: 4884: 4876: 4872: 4864: 4860: 4852: 4835: 4827: 4823: 4815: 4806: 4798: 4791: 4783: 4776: 4768: 4764: 4759: 4755: 4749:Harclerode 2006 4747: 4743: 4735: 4722: 4714: 4707: 4702: 4698: 4693: 4689: 4684: 4680: 4672: 4659: 4651: 4642: 4634: 4630: 4622: 4618: 4610: 4606: 4598: 4591: 4580: 4576: 4568: 4559: 4547: 4540: 4532: 4528: 4520: 4516: 4508: 4501: 4493: 4489: 4481: 4477: 4469: 4465: 4457: 4440: 4432: 4428: 4420: 4416: 4408: 4399: 4391: 4387: 4379: 4375: 4367: 4363: 4355: 4351: 4343: 4339: 4331: 4327: 4319: 4315: 4311:, pp. 4–5. 4307: 4303: 4295: 4291: 4283: 4276: 4268: 4259: 4251: 4244: 4236: 4232: 4224: 4220: 4212: 4205: 4197: 4193: 4185: 4181: 4173: 4169: 4161: 4157: 4149: 4145: 4137: 4126: 4118: 4114: 4106: 4102: 4094: 4083: 4075: 4071: 4063: 4052: 4048: 4043: 4042: 4028: 4024: 4011: 4007: 3990: 3986: 3977: 3973: 3964: 3960: 3951: 3947: 3938: 3934: 3925: 3921: 3916: 3911: 3868: 3863: 3861: 3858: 3819: 3781: 3759: 3749:Wounded: 15,850 3722: 3714: 3661:air superiority 3659:(as opposed to 3621: 3615: 3426: 3378: 3346:Battle of Arras 3285:Artillery Corps 3185: 3108:Polish Campaign 3075:Belgian I Corps 2985: 2979: 2977: 2974: 2969: 2863: 2835:Kampfgeschwader 2717:Kampfgeschwader 2613: 2609: 2548:Fieseler Fi 156 2534:Lehrgeschwader 2487:Fallschirmjäger 2478:Fallschirmjäger 2465:Fallschirmjäger 2458: 2456:Operation David 2452: 2407: 2396: 2378: 2376:Wilhelm Speidel 2360: 2349:Kampfgeschwader 2328: 2320: 2304:Mönchengladbach 2288:Kampfgeschwader 2127: 2121:and 310 tanks. 2107:Royal Air Force 2103:order of battle 2053: 2047: 1973: 1892:Corps de Marine 1810: 1805: 1797:Main articles: 1795: 1793:Forces involved 1787:Hohlladungwaffe 1754:German 6th Army 1736:units and most 1734:Panzer division 1730:English Channel 1709: 1703: 1695:French 2nd Army 1691:French 9th Army 1675:French 1st Army 1666:Fort Eben-Emael 1638:French 7th Army 1625: 1621: 1595: 1548:Schlieffen Plan 1511: 1507: 1433: 1417:Maurice Gamelin 1405:Scheldt Estuary 1349: 1308:First World War 1288:Philippe Pétain 1281:the Netherlands 1253: 1248: 1230:, allowing the 1179:English Channel 1157:the Netherlands 1094: 1093: 1092: 1087: 1073:Dyle-Breda Plan 1064: 1033: 1028: 1026: 1024: 994: 989: 716:St Nazaire Raid 668:The Hardest Day 535:Fort Eben-Emael 521:Rotterdam Blitz 479:The Netherlands 427: 423: 420: 418: 380:Uncertain (see 376: 360: 358: 356: 351: 349: 347: 326: 325: 313: 312: 300: 299: 288: 287: 277: 276: 274:Maurice Gamelin 266: 265: 255: 254: 236: 235: 215: 213: 200: 198: 197: 188: 186: 185: 176: 174: 173: 163: 161: 159: 149: 147: 116: 93:German victory 84: 73: 55: 24: 17: 12: 11: 5: 10096: 10086: 10085: 10080: 10075: 10070: 10065: 10060: 10055: 10050: 10045: 10040: 10035: 10030: 10013: 10012: 10010: 10009: 10002: 9995: 9978: 9975: 9974: 9971: 9970: 9968: 9967: 9966: 9965: 9958: 9951: 9937: 9936: 9935: 9921: 9918:South Sakhalin 9914: 9913: 9912: 9898: 9891: 9884: 9877: 9870: 9869: 9868: 9854: 9847: 9840: 9833: 9826: 9819: 9812: 9805: 9798: 9791: 9784: 9777: 9770: 9763: 9755: 9753: 9747: 9746: 9744: 9743: 9736: 9735: 9734: 9718: 9711: 9710: 9709: 9695: 9688: 9681: 9674: 9667: 9658: 9649: 9642: 9633: 9626: 9619: 9612: 9603: 9596: 9589: 9582: 9575: 9568: 9561: 9552: 9545: 9536: 9527: 9518: 9511: 9504: 9493: 9483: 9481: 9475: 9474: 9472: 9471: 9464: 9463: 9462: 9455: 9441: 9434: 9427: 9420: 9413: 9412: 9411: 9397: 9390: 9381: 9374: 9367: 9360: 9353: 9346: 9343:Battle of Attu 9339: 9332: 9324: 9322: 9316: 9315: 9313: 9312: 9305: 9296: 9289: 9282: 9273: 9266: 9259: 9252: 9243: 9242: 9241: 9234: 9220: 9213: 9206: 9199: 9192: 9185: 9178: 9171: 9164: 9157: 9149: 9147: 9141: 9140: 9138: 9137: 9130: 9123: 9116: 9109: 9102: 9095: 9092:Battle of Guam 9088: 9081: 9074: 9067: 9060: 9053: 9046: 9039: 9032: 9025: 9018: 9015:Battle of Kiev 9011: 9004: 8990: 8989: 8988: 8974: 8967: 8960: 8953: 8946: 8945: 8944: 8930: 8923: 8916: 8908: 8906: 8900: 8899: 8897: 8896: 8887: 8880: 8873: 8866: 8859: 8852: 8845: 8838: 8831: 8824: 8817: 8810: 8803: 8796: 8789: 8782: 8775: 8768: 8760: 8758: 8752: 8751: 8749: 8748: 8741: 8734: 8727: 8720: 8713: 8706: 8698: 8696: 8690: 8689: 8687: 8686: 8685: 8684: 8677: 8670: 8663: 8656: 8642: 8641: 8640: 8633: 8619: 8618: 8617: 8602: 8600: 8591: 8585: 8584: 8581: 8580: 8578: 8577: 8570: 8563: 8562: 8561: 8554: 8542: 8541: 8540: 8526: 8519: 8518: 8517: 8514:United Kingdom 8510: 8503: 8502: 8501: 8482: 8474: 8472: 8466: 8465: 8463: 8462: 8455: 8454: 8453: 8446: 8434: 8427: 8420: 8413: 8406: 8399: 8392: 8385: 8378: 8371: 8364: 8357: 8350: 8343: 8336: 8335: 8334: 8327: 8313: 8306: 8299: 8292: 8285: 8278: 8271: 8264: 8257: 8250: 8243: 8236: 8229: 8222: 8215: 8208: 8200: 8198: 8192: 8191: 8189: 8188: 8181: 8174: 8167: 8160: 8153: 8146: 8139: 8132: 8125: 8118: 8110: 8108: 8102: 8101: 8099: 8098: 8091: 8084: 8077: 8070: 8062: 8055: 8048: 8041: 8040: 8039: 8024: 8017: 8010: 8003: 7996: 7989: 7981: 7974: 7967: 7959: 7951: 7949: 7943: 7942: 7940: 7939: 7932: 7931: 7930: 7916: 7915: 7914: 7911:British Empire 7904:United Kingdom 7900: 7893: 7886: 7879: 7872: 7865: 7853: 7846: 7839: 7832: 7825: 7818: 7811: 7804: 7797: 7785: 7778: 7771: 7764: 7757: 7745: 7737: 7730: 7723: 7720:Czechoslovakia 7716: 7709: 7702: 7695: 7683: 7676: 7669: 7662: 7654: 7652: 7643: 7637: 7636: 7633: 7632: 7630: 7629: 7628: 7627: 7620: 7617:Rape of Manila 7613: 7606: 7599: 7588: 7573: 7566: 7554: 7547: 7546: 7545: 7538: 7524: 7523: 7522: 7515: 7508: 7494: 7487: 7486: 7485: 7478: 7477: 7476: 7469: 7455: 7448: 7434: 7433: 7432: 7425: 7418: 7403: 7401: 7395: 7394: 7392: 7391: 7388:United Nations 7384: 7377: 7370: 7369: 7368: 7361: 7354: 7347: 7333: 7324: 7315: 7308: 7301: 7294: 7285: 7278: 7271: 7264: 7257: 7250: 7247:Decolonization 7243: 7236: 7228: 7226: 7220: 7219: 7217: 7216: 7209: 7208: 7207: 7193: 7186: 7185: 7184: 7177: 7170: 7156: 7155: 7154: 7147: 7133: 7132: 7131: 7124: 7117: 7110: 7103: 7096: 7081: 7079: 7073: 7072: 7070: 7069: 7062: 7055: 7048: 7041: 7034: 7027: 7020: 7019: 7018: 7011: 6997: 6990: 6983: 6976: 6969: 6962: 6955: 6954: 6953: 6939: 6932: 6931: 6930: 6923: 6920:United Kingdom 6916: 6902: 6895: 6888: 6881: 6874: 6867: 6860: 6859: 6858: 6843: 6841: 6832: 6828: 6827: 6825: 6824: 6817: 6810: 6809: 6808: 6801: 6794: 6782: 6781: 6780: 6766: 6758: 6755: 6754: 6747: 6746: 6739: 6732: 6724: 6717: 6716: 6710: 6697: 6691: 6671: 6665: 6659:. John Wiley. 6645: 6639: 6626: 6620: 6603: 6597: 6585:Foot, M. R. D. 6577: 6571: 6557: 6555: 6552: 6550: 6549: 6544: 6528: 6523: 6510: 6505: 6489: 6484: 6468: 6459:on 31 May 2016 6446: 6429: 6424: 6408: 6403: 6387: 6382: 6369: 6364: 6348: 6331: 6326: 6313: 6308: 6295: 6278:(2): 207–244, 6267: 6262: 6249: 6244: 6231: 6226: 6209: 6204: 6191: 6186: 6173: 6168: 6155: 6150: 6137: 6132: 6119: 6114: 6098: 6076: 6060: 6047: 6045: 6042: 6040: 6039: 6037:, p. 189. 6016: 6014:, p. 130. 5997: 5982: 5980:, p. 326. 5965: 5963:, p. 255. 5950: 5938: 5926: 5924:, p. 304. 5914: 5902: 5887: 5875: 5854: 5842: 5827: 5815: 5803: 5788: 5776: 5759: 5757:, p. 172. 5747: 5726: 5709: 5697: 5682: 5670: 5658: 5646: 5634: 5622: 5620:, p. 105. 5607: 5588: 5571: 5554: 5542: 5530: 5513: 5496: 5484: 5472: 5455: 5443: 5441:, p. 246. 5426: 5414: 5402: 5400:, p. 237. 5390: 5388:, p. 243. 5375: 5373:, p. 228. 5363: 5351: 5339: 5337:, p. 242. 5322: 5320:, p. 241. 5297: 5285: 5283:, p. 239. 5273: 5271:, p. 240. 5254: 5235: 5223: 5211: 5199: 5197:, p. 135. 5187: 5175: 5160: 5145: 5130: 5118: 5103: 5091: 5079: 5064: 5052: 5033: 5021: 5009: 4997: 4978: 4976:, p. 123. 4966: 4947: 4935: 4923: 4911: 4899: 4882: 4870: 4858: 4833: 4821: 4804: 4789: 4774: 4762: 4753: 4741: 4720: 4705: 4696: 4687: 4678: 4657: 4640: 4628: 4616: 4604: 4589: 4574: 4557: 4538: 4526: 4514: 4499: 4497:, p. 324. 4487: 4475: 4463: 4438: 4426: 4424:, p. 313. 4414: 4397: 4385: 4373: 4361: 4349: 4337: 4325: 4313: 4301: 4289: 4274: 4257: 4242: 4230: 4218: 4203: 4191: 4179: 4167: 4155: 4143: 4124: 4112: 4100: 4098:, p. 729. 4081: 4069: 4067:, p. 324. 4049: 4047: 4044: 4041: 4040: 4022: 4005: 3995:, p. 96; 3984: 3982:, p. 324. 3971: 3969:, p. 324. 3958: 3956:, p. 324. 3945: 3943:, p. 324. 3932: 3930:, p. 216. 3918: 3917: 3915: 3912: 3910: 3907: 3906: 3905: 3900: 3895: 3890: 3885: 3880: 3874: 3873: 3870:Belgium portal 3857: 3854: 3853: 3852: 3849: 3844:Losses of the 3842: 3839: 3836: 3818: 3815: 3814: 3813: 3809: 3806: 3803: 3780: 3777: 3776: 3775: 3772: 3769: 3766: 3758: 3755: 3754: 3753: 3750: 3747: 3744: 3741: 3721: 3718: 3713: 3710: 3693:Hubert Pierlot 3614: 3611: 3478:Maxime Weygand 3476:Churchill and 3377: 3374: 3283:. The Belgian 3184: 3181: 3015:Armée de l'Air 2895:Namur fortress 2862: 2859: 2801:bridge on the 2740:Jagdgeschwader 2712:Dornier Do 17s 2695:Armée de l'air 2664:Jagdgeschwader 2635:Heinz Guderian 2574:Operation Niwi 2451: 2448: 2416:Schaffen-Diest 2388:Jagdgeschwader 2327: 2321: 2319: 2316: 2131:Fedor von Bock 2126: 2123: 2097:under Lt-Gen. 2076:Michael Barker 2046: 2045:British forces 2043: 1972: 1969: 1854:47 mm FRC 1809: 1808:Belgian forces 1806: 1794: 1791: 1781:, such as the 1705:Main article: 1702: 1699: 1612:provided for: 1594: 1591: 1567:Kesselschlacht 1473:fortifications 1449:fortifications 1432: 1429: 1348: 1345: 1304:United Kingdom 1252: 1249: 1247: 1244: 1238:in June 1940. 1089: 1088: 1086: 1085: 1080: 1075: 1070: 1063: 1058: 1053: 1048: 1043: 1038: 1035: 1034: 1023: 1022: 1015: 1008: 1000: 991: 990: 988: 987: 982: 977: 972: 967: 956: 955: 950: 945: 940: 935: 930: 925: 920: 915: 910: 909: 908: 894: 887: 880: 879: 878: 873: 861: 854: 847: 840: 825: 824: 819: 814: 809: 802: 797: 792: 785: 780: 778:Hürtgen Forest 775: 768: 763: 761:Siegfried Line 758: 751: 744: 737: 726: 725: 724: 723: 718: 711:Commando Raids 708: 706:Baedeker Blitz 703: 696: 683: 682: 675: 670: 665: 660: 647: 646: 645: 644: 634: 627: 622: 617: 616: 615: 603: 598: 593: 588: 583: 578: 565: 564: 559: 554: 549: 542: 537: 524: 523: 518: 513: 511:The Grebbeberg 508: 503: 498: 493: 488: 475: 474: 461: 460: 453: 448: 443: 432: 429: 428: 417: 416: 409: 402: 394: 386: 385: 378: 368: 367: 363: 362: 353: 352:2,249 aircraft 343: 342: 338: 337: 334:Fedor von Bock 310: 285:Maxime Weygand 263:Hubert Pierlot 232: 231: 227: 226: 209: 183:United Kingdom 143: 142: 138: 137: 134: 133: 132: 131: 118: 112: 111: 110: 109: 98: 90: 86: 85: 82: 80: 76: 75: 72:10–28 May 1940 70: 62: 61: 60:on 11 May 1940 47: 46: 35: 34: 28: 27: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 10095: 10084: 10081: 10079: 10076: 10074: 10071: 10069: 10066: 10064: 10061: 10059: 10056: 10054: 10051: 10049: 10046: 10044: 10041: 10039: 10036: 10034: 10031: 10029: 10026: 10025: 10023: 10007: 10003: 10000: 9996: 9993: 9992: 9987: 9980: 9979: 9976: 9963: 9959: 9956: 9952: 9949: 9945: 9944: 9942: 9938: 9933: 9929: 9928: 9926: 9925:Kuril Islands 9922: 9919: 9915: 9910: 9906: 9905: 9903: 9899: 9896: 9892: 9889: 9885: 9882: 9878: 9875: 9871: 9866: 9862: 9861: 9859: 9855: 9852: 9848: 9845: 9841: 9838: 9834: 9831: 9827: 9824: 9820: 9817: 9813: 9810: 9806: 9803: 9799: 9796: 9792: 9789: 9785: 9782: 9778: 9775: 9771: 9768: 9764: 9761: 9757: 9756: 9754: 9752: 9748: 9741: 9737: 9732: 9731: 9726: 9725: 9723: 9719: 9716: 9712: 9707: 9703: 9702: 9700: 9696: 9693: 9692:Syrmian Front 9689: 9686: 9682: 9679: 9675: 9672: 9668: 9665: 9664: 9659: 9656: 9655: 9650: 9647: 9643: 9640: 9639: 9638:Market Garden 9634: 9631: 9627: 9624: 9620: 9617: 9613: 9610: 9609: 9604: 9601: 9597: 9594: 9590: 9587: 9583: 9580: 9576: 9573: 9569: 9566: 9562: 9559: 9558: 9553: 9550: 9546: 9543: 9542: 9537: 9534: 9533: 9528: 9525: 9524: 9519: 9516: 9512: 9509: 9505: 9502: 9498: 9497:Monte Cassino 9494: 9491: 9490: 9485: 9484: 9482: 9480: 9476: 9469: 9465: 9460: 9456: 9453: 9449: 9448: 9446: 9442: 9439: 9435: 9432: 9428: 9425: 9421: 9418: 9414: 9409: 9405: 9404: 9402: 9398: 9395: 9391: 9388: 9387: 9382: 9379: 9375: 9372: 9368: 9365: 9361: 9358: 9354: 9351: 9347: 9344: 9340: 9337: 9333: 9330: 9326: 9325: 9323: 9321: 9317: 9310: 9306: 9303: 9302: 9297: 9294: 9290: 9287: 9283: 9280: 9279: 9274: 9271: 9267: 9264: 9260: 9257: 9253: 9250: 9249: 9244: 9239: 9235: 9232: 9228: 9227: 9225: 9221: 9218: 9214: 9211: 9207: 9204: 9200: 9197: 9193: 9190: 9186: 9183: 9179: 9176: 9172: 9169: 9165: 9162: 9158: 9155: 9151: 9150: 9148: 9146: 9142: 9135: 9131: 9128: 9124: 9121: 9117: 9114: 9110: 9107: 9103: 9100: 9096: 9093: 9089: 9086: 9082: 9079: 9075: 9072: 9068: 9065: 9061: 9058: 9054: 9051: 9047: 9044: 9040: 9037: 9033: 9030: 9026: 9023: 9019: 9016: 9012: 9009: 9005: 9001: 9000: 8995: 8991: 8986: 8982: 8981: 8979: 8975: 8972: 8968: 8965: 8961: 8958: 8954: 8951: 8947: 8942: 8938: 8937: 8935: 8931: 8928: 8924: 8921: 8917: 8914: 8910: 8909: 8907: 8905: 8901: 8894: 8893: 8888: 8885: 8881: 8878: 8874: 8871: 8867: 8864: 8863:Baltic states 8860: 8857: 8853: 8850: 8846: 8843: 8839: 8836: 8832: 8829: 8825: 8822: 8818: 8815: 8811: 8808: 8804: 8801: 8797: 8794: 8790: 8787: 8783: 8780: 8776: 8773: 8769: 8766: 8762: 8761: 8759: 8757: 8753: 8746: 8742: 8739: 8735: 8732: 8728: 8725: 8721: 8718: 8714: 8711: 8707: 8704: 8700: 8699: 8697: 8695: 8691: 8682: 8678: 8675: 8671: 8668: 8664: 8661: 8657: 8654: 8650: 8649: 8647: 8643: 8638: 8634: 8631: 8627: 8626: 8624: 8620: 8615: 8611: 8610: 8608: 8604: 8603: 8601: 8599: 8595: 8592: 8590: 8586: 8575: 8571: 8568: 8564: 8559: 8555: 8552: 8548: 8547: 8543: 8538: 8534: 8533: 8531: 8527: 8524: 8520: 8515: 8511: 8508: 8507:United States 8504: 8499: 8495: 8494: 8492: 8488: 8487: 8483: 8480: 8476: 8475: 8473: 8471: 8467: 8460: 8456: 8451: 8447: 8444: 8443:Quốc dân Đảng 8440: 8439: 8435: 8432: 8428: 8425: 8421: 8418: 8414: 8411: 8407: 8404: 8400: 8397: 8393: 8390: 8386: 8383: 8379: 8376: 8372: 8369: 8365: 8362: 8358: 8355: 8351: 8348: 8344: 8341: 8337: 8332: 8328: 8325: 8321: 8320: 8318: 8314: 8311: 8307: 8304: 8300: 8297: 8293: 8290: 8286: 8283: 8279: 8276: 8272: 8269: 8265: 8262: 8258: 8255: 8251: 8248: 8244: 8241: 8237: 8234: 8230: 8227: 8223: 8220: 8216: 8213: 8209: 8206: 8202: 8201: 8199: 8197: 8193: 8186: 8182: 8179: 8175: 8172: 8168: 8165: 8161: 8158: 8154: 8151: 8147: 8144: 8143:Liechtenstein 8140: 8137: 8133: 8130: 8126: 8123: 8119: 8116: 8112: 8111: 8109: 8107: 8103: 8096: 8095:Collaboration 8092: 8089: 8085: 8082: 8078: 8075: 8071: 8067: 8063: 8060: 8056: 8053: 8049: 8046: 8042: 8037: 8033: 8032: 8029: 8025: 8022: 8018: 8015: 8011: 8008: 8004: 8001: 7997: 7994: 7990: 7986: 7982: 7979: 7975: 7972: 7968: 7964: 7960: 7957: 7953: 7952: 7950: 7948: 7944: 7937: 7933: 7928: 7924: 7923: 7921: 7920:United States 7917: 7912: 7908: 7907: 7905: 7901: 7898: 7894: 7891: 7887: 7884: 7880: 7877: 7873: 7870: 7866: 7862: 7858: 7854: 7851: 7847: 7844: 7840: 7837: 7833: 7830: 7826: 7823: 7819: 7816: 7812: 7809: 7805: 7802: 7798: 7794: 7790: 7786: 7783: 7779: 7776: 7772: 7769: 7765: 7762: 7758: 7754: 7750: 7746: 7742: 7738: 7735: 7731: 7728: 7724: 7721: 7717: 7714: 7710: 7707: 7703: 7700: 7696: 7692: 7688: 7684: 7681: 7677: 7674: 7670: 7667: 7663: 7660: 7656: 7655: 7653: 7651: 7647: 7644: 7642: 7638: 7625: 7621: 7618: 7614: 7611: 7610:Comfort women 7607: 7604: 7600: 7597: 7594: / 7593: 7589: 7586: 7583: / 7582: 7579: / 7578: 7574: 7571: 7570:Camp brothels 7567: 7564: 7560: 7559: 7555: 7552: 7548: 7543: 7539: 7536: 7532: 7531: 7529: 7525: 7520: 7516: 7513: 7509: 7506: 7502: 7501: 7499: 7495: 7492: 7488: 7483: 7479: 7474: 7470: 7467: 7463: 7462: 7460: 7459:The Holocaust 7456: 7453: 7449: 7446: 7445:forced labour 7442: 7441: 7439: 7435: 7430: 7426: 7423: 7419: 7416: 7412: 7411: 7409: 7405: 7404: 7402: 7400: 7396: 7389: 7385: 7382: 7378: 7375: 7371: 7366: 7362: 7359: 7355: 7352: 7348: 7345: 7341: 7340: 7338: 7334: 7331: 7330: 7325: 7322: 7321: 7316: 7313: 7309: 7306: 7302: 7299: 7298:Marshall Plan 7295: 7292: 7291: 7286: 7283: 7279: 7276: 7272: 7269: 7265: 7262: 7258: 7255: 7251: 7248: 7244: 7241: 7237: 7234: 7230: 7229: 7227: 7225: 7221: 7214: 7210: 7205: 7201: 7200: 7198: 7194: 7191: 7187: 7182: 7178: 7175: 7171: 7168: 7164: 7163: 7161: 7157: 7152: 7151:Eastern Front 7148: 7145: 7144:Western Front 7141: 7140: 7138: 7134: 7129: 7125: 7122: 7118: 7115: 7111: 7108: 7104: 7101: 7097: 7094: 7090: 7089: 7087: 7083: 7082: 7080: 7078: 7074: 7067: 7063: 7060: 7056: 7053: 7049: 7046: 7042: 7039: 7038:Puppet states 7035: 7032: 7028: 7025: 7021: 7016: 7012: 7009: 7005: 7004: 7002: 6998: 6995: 6991: 6988: 6984: 6981: 6980:Naval history 6977: 6974: 6970: 6967: 6963: 6960: 6956: 6951: 6947: 6946: 6944: 6940: 6937: 6933: 6928: 6927:United States 6924: 6921: 6917: 6914: 6910: 6909: 6907: 6903: 6900: 6896: 6893: 6889: 6886: 6882: 6879: 6875: 6872: 6868: 6865: 6861: 6856: 6852: 6851: 6849: 6845: 6844: 6842: 6840: 6836: 6833: 6829: 6822: 6818: 6815: 6811: 6806: 6802: 6799: 6795: 6792: 6788: 6787: 6783: 6778: 6774: 6773: 6771: 6767: 6764: 6760: 6759: 6756: 6752: 6745: 6740: 6738: 6733: 6731: 6726: 6725: 6722: 6713: 6707: 6703: 6698: 6694: 6688: 6683: 6682: 6676: 6672: 6668: 6662: 6657: 6656: 6650: 6646: 6642: 6636: 6632: 6627: 6623: 6617: 6612: 6611: 6604: 6600: 6594: 6590: 6586: 6582: 6578: 6574: 6568: 6564: 6559: 6558: 6547: 6541: 6537: 6533: 6529: 6526: 6520: 6516: 6511: 6508: 6502: 6498: 6494: 6490: 6487: 6481: 6477: 6473: 6469: 6458: 6454: 6453: 6447: 6437: 6436: 6430: 6427: 6421: 6417: 6413: 6409: 6406: 6400: 6396: 6392: 6388: 6385: 6379: 6375: 6370: 6367: 6361: 6357: 6353: 6349: 6339: 6338: 6332: 6329: 6323: 6319: 6314: 6311: 6305: 6301: 6296: 6293: 6289: 6285: 6281: 6277: 6273: 6268: 6265: 6259: 6255: 6250: 6247: 6241: 6237: 6232: 6229: 6223: 6219: 6215: 6214:Butler, J.R.M 6210: 6207: 6201: 6197: 6192: 6189: 6183: 6179: 6174: 6171: 6165: 6161: 6156: 6153: 6147: 6143: 6138: 6135: 6129: 6125: 6120: 6117: 6111: 6107: 6103: 6099: 6088: 6084: 6083: 6077: 6074: 6070: 6066: 6061: 6057: 6053: 6049: 6048: 6036: 6031: 6029: 6027: 6025: 6023: 6021: 6013: 6008: 6006: 6004: 6002: 5995:, p. 57. 5994: 5989: 5987: 5979: 5974: 5972: 5970: 5962: 5957: 5955: 5948:, p. 96. 5947: 5942: 5936:, p. 95. 5935: 5930: 5923: 5918: 5912:, p. 94. 5911: 5906: 5900:, p. 93. 5899: 5894: 5892: 5885:, p. 60. 5884: 5879: 5873:, p. 92. 5872: 5867: 5865: 5863: 5861: 5859: 5852:, p. 89. 5851: 5846: 5839: 5834: 5832: 5825:, p. 88. 5824: 5819: 5813:, p. 86. 5812: 5807: 5801:, p. 85. 5800: 5795: 5793: 5785: 5780: 5774:, p. 44. 5773: 5768: 5766: 5764: 5756: 5751: 5745:, p. 84. 5744: 5739: 5737: 5735: 5733: 5731: 5724:, p. 43. 5723: 5718: 5716: 5714: 5707:, p. 78. 5706: 5701: 5695:, p. 76. 5694: 5689: 5687: 5680:, p. 75. 5679: 5674: 5668:, p. 54. 5667: 5662: 5656:, p. 73. 5655: 5650: 5644:, p. 72. 5643: 5638: 5631: 5626: 5619: 5614: 5612: 5605:, p. 70. 5604: 5599: 5597: 5595: 5593: 5586:, p. 69. 5585: 5580: 5578: 5576: 5569:, p. 67. 5568: 5563: 5561: 5559: 5551: 5546: 5539: 5534: 5528:, p. 40. 5527: 5522: 5520: 5518: 5511:, p. 39. 5510: 5505: 5503: 5501: 5494:, p. 30. 5493: 5488: 5482:, p. 59. 5481: 5476: 5470:, p. 64. 5469: 5464: 5462: 5460: 5453:, p. 71. 5452: 5447: 5440: 5435: 5433: 5431: 5423: 5418: 5412:, p. 38. 5411: 5406: 5399: 5398:Gunsburg 1992 5394: 5387: 5382: 5380: 5372: 5371:Gunsburg 1992 5367: 5360: 5355: 5348: 5347:Gunsburg 1992 5343: 5336: 5331: 5329: 5327: 5319: 5314: 5312: 5310: 5308: 5306: 5304: 5302: 5294: 5289: 5282: 5277: 5270: 5265: 5263: 5261: 5259: 5251: 5246: 5244: 5242: 5240: 5233:, p. 55. 5232: 5227: 5221:, p. 60. 5220: 5215: 5208: 5203: 5196: 5191: 5184: 5179: 5172: 5171: 5164: 5158:, p. 38. 5157: 5152: 5150: 5143:, p. 37. 5142: 5137: 5135: 5127: 5122: 5116:, p. 51. 5115: 5110: 5108: 5101:, p. 38. 5100: 5099:Shepperd 1990 5095: 5089:, p. 37. 5088: 5083: 5077:, p. 36. 5076: 5071: 5069: 5062:, p. 37. 5061: 5056: 5050:, p. 56. 5049: 5044: 5042: 5040: 5038: 5030: 5025: 5019:, p. 61. 5018: 5013: 5006: 5001: 4994: 4989: 4987: 4985: 4983: 4975: 4970: 4964:, p. 35. 4963: 4958: 4956: 4954: 4952: 4945:, p. 54. 4944: 4939: 4933:, p. 18. 4932: 4927: 4921:, p. 59. 4920: 4915: 4909:, p. 34. 4908: 4903: 4897:, p. 53. 4896: 4891: 4889: 4887: 4879: 4874: 4868:, p. 19. 4867: 4862: 4856:, p. 52. 4855: 4850: 4848: 4846: 4844: 4842: 4840: 4838: 4830: 4825: 4819:, p. 33. 4818: 4813: 4811: 4809: 4802:, p. 48. 4801: 4796: 4794: 4786: 4781: 4779: 4772:, p. 47. 4771: 4766: 4757: 4751:, p. 51. 4750: 4745: 4739:, p. 32. 4738: 4733: 4731: 4729: 4727: 4725: 4718:, p. 20. 4717: 4712: 4710: 4700: 4691: 4682: 4676:, p. 58. 4675: 4670: 4668: 4666: 4664: 4662: 4655:, p. 37. 4654: 4649: 4647: 4645: 4637: 4632: 4625: 4620: 4613: 4608: 4601: 4596: 4594: 4586: 4585: 4578: 4572:, p. 96. 4571: 4566: 4564: 4562: 4555:, p. 32. 4554: 4552: 4545: 4543: 4536:, p. 36. 4535: 4530: 4524:, p. 12. 4523: 4518: 4512:, p. 95. 4511: 4506: 4504: 4496: 4491: 4485:, p. 37. 4484: 4479: 4473:, p. 36. 4472: 4467: 4461:, p. 34. 4460: 4455: 4453: 4451: 4449: 4447: 4445: 4443: 4435: 4430: 4423: 4418: 4411: 4406: 4404: 4402: 4394: 4389: 4383:, p. 36. 4382: 4377: 4370: 4365: 4359:, p. 35. 4358: 4353: 4347:, p. 28. 4346: 4341: 4335:, p. 25. 4334: 4329: 4322: 4317: 4310: 4305: 4299:, p. 53. 4298: 4293: 4286: 4281: 4279: 4271: 4266: 4264: 4262: 4254: 4249: 4247: 4240:, p. 24. 4239: 4234: 4227: 4222: 4216:, p. 22. 4215: 4210: 4208: 4200: 4195: 4189:, p. 14. 4188: 4183: 4177:, p. 21. 4176: 4171: 4164: 4159: 4152: 4147: 4140: 4135: 4133: 4131: 4129: 4121: 4116: 4110:, p. 36. 4109: 4104: 4097: 4092: 4090: 4088: 4086: 4078: 4073: 4066: 4061: 4059: 4057: 4055: 4050: 4038:, p. 57. 4037: 4033: 4026: 4020:, p. 57. 4019: 4015: 4009: 4003:, p. 96. 4002: 3998: 3994: 3988: 3981: 3975: 3968: 3962: 3955: 3949: 3942: 3936: 3929: 3928:Gunsburg 1992 3923: 3919: 3904: 3901: 3899: 3896: 3894: 3891: 3889: 3886: 3884: 3881: 3879: 3876: 3875: 3871: 3860: 3850: 3847: 3843: 3840: 3837: 3834: 3833: 3832: 3830: 3826: 3825: 3810: 3807: 3804: 3801: 3800: 3799: 3794: 3790: 3785: 3773: 3770: 3767: 3764: 3763: 3762: 3751: 3748: 3745: 3742: 3739: 3735: 3734: 3733: 3726: 3717: 3709: 3707: 3701: 3698: 3694: 3690: 3686: 3682: 3678: 3672: 3667: 3664: 3662: 3658: 3657:air supremacy 3654: 3650: 3646: 3642: 3638: 3634: 3625: 3620: 3610: 3608: 3604: 3598: 3596: 3595:Henry Pownall 3591: 3587: 3583: 3579: 3575: 3571: 3567: 3562: 3559: 3555: 3549: 3544: 3542: 3538: 3535: 3529: 3527: 3523: 3519: 3515: 3511: 3506: 3502: 3498: 3493: 3491: 3487: 3483: 3479: 3474: 3472: 3468: 3464: 3460: 3456: 3446: 3442: 3440: 3436: 3435:Passchendaele 3429: 3422: 3419: 3415: 3411: 3407: 3403: 3399: 3395: 3391: 3390:Cavalry Corps 3382: 3373: 3369: 3367: 3363: 3359: 3354: 3349: 3347: 3337: 3333: 3331: 3326: 3322: 3318: 3313: 3311: 3307: 3303: 3299: 3295: 3289: 3286: 3282: 3278: 3274: 3270: 3262: 3257: 3253: 3251: 3250:Marchovelette 3247: 3243: 3239: 3235: 3231: 3226: 3223: 3217: 3215: 3211: 3207: 3203: 3194: 3189: 3180: 3177: 3173: 3168: 3166: 3157: 3152: 3148: 3144: 3142: 3134: 3129: 3124: 3119: 3116: 3115:combined arms 3111: 3109: 3104: 3100: 3096: 3090: 3088: 3082: 3080: 3079:Erich Hoepner 3076: 3071: 3067: 3059: 3055: 3054:Erich Hoepner 3050: 3046: 3043: 3037: 3032: 3030: 3025: 3022: 3017: 3016: 3010: 3008: 2999: 2994: 2989: 2986: 2983: 2970: 2965: 2963: 2961: 2956: 2952: 2948: 2947:242 squadrons 2944: 2940: 2936: 2932: 2928: 2924: 2920: 2916: 2911: 2909: 2903: 2900: 2896: 2892: 2887: 2885: 2881: 2877: 2867: 2858: 2856: 2852: 2848: 2844: 2843: 2838: 2836: 2831: 2827: 2823: 2818: 2816: 2812: 2808: 2804: 2803:Hollands Diep 2800: 2796: 2791: 2788: 2782: 2780: 2776: 2772: 2770: 2769:fired on them 2766: 2762: 2758: 2753: 2751: 2750: 2745: 2741: 2737: 2736: 2730: 2728: 2724: 2720: 2718: 2713: 2709: 2705: 2701: 2697: 2696: 2691: 2687: 2683: 2679: 2675: 2671: 2667: 2665: 2655: 2650: 2646: 2644: 2638: 2636: 2631: 2627: 2623: 2617: 2614: 2610: 2607: 2603: 2597: 2594: 2590: 2586: 2583: 2579: 2575: 2567: 2563: 2562:Eupen-Malmedy 2558: 2554: 2552: 2549: 2543: 2541: 2537: 2535: 2530: 2526: 2522: 2521: 2516: 2512: 2511: 2509: 2503: 2500: 2499:Junkers Ju 87 2496: 2492: 2488: 2484: 2483:flamethrowers 2480: 2479: 2470: 2466: 2462: 2457: 2447: 2445: 2440: 2436: 2432: 2428: 2423: 2421: 2417: 2411: 2406: 2400: 2395: 2391: 2389: 2382: 2377: 2374: 2371:was noted by 2370: 2364: 2359: 2356: 2352: 2350: 2344: 2341: 2340:aerial battle 2337: 2332: 2325: 2315: 2313: 2309: 2305: 2301: 2298:and bases in 2297: 2293: 2289: 2285: 2281: 2276: 2274: 2273: 2268: 2265: 2264: 2259: 2258: 2253: 2250: 2249: 2244: 2243: 2238: 2237: 2232: 2231: 2226: 2225:Alfred Keller 2223: 2222: 2221:Generaloberst 2218: 2214: 2213: 2207: 2205: 2201: 2197: 2194: 2190: 2189: 2184: 2179: 2178:command tanks 2175: 2171: 2167: 2163: 2158: 2156: 2152: 2148: 2144: 2140: 2136: 2132: 2125:German forces 2122: 2119: 2116: 2112: 2108: 2104: 2100: 2096: 2092: 2088: 2084: 2081: 2080:Major-General 2077: 2073: 2070: 2066: 2062: 2058: 2052: 2042: 2040: 2036: 2032: 2027: 2025: 2021: 2018:(1 DLM), the 2017: 2012: 2010: 2009:Hotchkiss H35 2006: 2002: 1998: 1994: 1990: 1982: 1977: 1971:French forces 1968: 1966: 1962: 1958: 1954: 1950: 1945: 1942: 1938: 1934: 1933:Fairey Battle 1930: 1926: 1922: 1918: 1914: 1913: 1907: 1906:and Antwerp. 1905: 1901: 1897: 1893: 1889: 1884: 1881: 1877: 1872: 1870: 1865: 1863: 1859: 1855: 1851: 1847: 1843: 1839: 1836:included 200 1835: 1831: 1827: 1823: 1814: 1804: 1800: 1790: 1788: 1784: 1780: 1775: 1772: 1771:Junkers Ju 52 1768: 1767: 1762: 1757: 1755: 1751: 1747: 1741: 1739: 1735: 1731: 1726: 1722: 1713: 1708: 1707:Manstein Plan 1698: 1696: 1692: 1688: 1684: 1680: 1676: 1671: 1667: 1661: 1659: 1655: 1651: 1647: 1643: 1639: 1633: 1631: 1626: 1622: 1619: 1613: 1611: 1603: 1599: 1590: 1588: 1585:, the King's 1584: 1578: 1576: 1572: 1568: 1564: 1560: 1555: 1553: 1549: 1545: 1541: 1537: 1533: 1528: 1525: 1520: 1515: 1512: 1508: 1503: 1499: 1497: 1496: 1490: 1486: 1482: 1478: 1474: 1470: 1466: 1462: 1458: 1454: 1450: 1441: 1437: 1428: 1426: 1420: 1418: 1414: 1410: 1406: 1402: 1398: 1394: 1390: 1386: 1381: 1379: 1374: 1369: 1365: 1357: 1353: 1344: 1342: 1341:General Staff 1338: 1334: 1329: 1328: 1323: 1322: 1317: 1313: 1309: 1305: 1300: 1298: 1293: 1289: 1284: 1282: 1278: 1274: 1266: 1262: 1257: 1243: 1241: 1237: 1233: 1229: 1225: 1219: 1217: 1213: 1209: 1205: 1204:Eastern Front 1201: 1197: 1193: 1188: 1186: 1185: 1180: 1176: 1172: 1168: 1164: 1163: 1158: 1154: 1149: 1147: 1143: 1139: 1135: 1131: 1127: 1123: 1119: 1115: 1111: 1107: 1103: 1099: 1084: 1081: 1079: 1076: 1074: 1071: 1069: 1066: 1065: 1062: 1059: 1057: 1054: 1052: 1049: 1047: 1044: 1042: 1039: 1036: 1031: 1021: 1016: 1014: 1009: 1007: 1002: 1001: 998: 986: 983: 981: 978: 976: 973: 971: 968: 966: 963: 962: 961: 960: 954: 951: 949: 946: 944: 941: 939: 936: 934: 931: 929: 926: 924: 921: 919: 916: 914: 911: 907: 906: 902: 901: 900: 899: 895: 893: 892: 888: 886: 885: 881: 877: 874: 872: 869: 868: 867: 866: 862: 860: 859: 855: 853: 852: 848: 846: 845: 841: 839: 838: 834: 833: 832: 831: 830: 823: 820: 818: 817:Colmar Pocket 815: 813: 810: 808: 807: 803: 801: 798: 796: 793: 791: 790: 786: 784: 781: 779: 776: 774: 773: 772:Market Garden 769: 767: 764: 762: 759: 757: 756: 752: 750: 749: 745: 743: 742: 738: 736: 733: 732: 731: 730: 722: 719: 717: 714: 713: 712: 709: 707: 704: 702: 701: 697: 695: 694: 690: 689: 688: 687: 681: 680: 676: 674: 671: 669: 666: 664: 661: 659: 656: 655: 654: 653: 652: 643: 642:Haddock Force 640: 639: 638: 635: 633: 632: 628: 626: 623: 621: 618: 614: 613: 609: 608: 607: 604: 602: 599: 597: 594: 592: 589: 587: 584: 582: 579: 577: 574: 573: 572: 571: 570: 563: 560: 558: 555: 553: 550: 548: 547: 543: 541: 538: 536: 533: 532: 531: 530: 529: 522: 519: 517: 514: 512: 509: 507: 504: 502: 499: 497: 494: 492: 489: 487: 484: 483: 482: 481: 480: 473: 472:Schuster Line 470: 469: 468: 467: 466: 459: 458: 454: 452: 449: 447: 444: 442: 439: 438: 437: 436: 430: 425: 415: 410: 408: 403: 401: 396: 395: 392: 383: 379: 377:~900 aircraft 374: 370: 369: 364: 355:141 divisions 354: 346:144 divisions 345: 344: 339: 335: 330: 324: 323: 317: 311: 309: 308:Émile Speller 304: 297: 292: 286: 281: 275: 270: 264: 259: 252: 247: 246: 240: 234: 233: 228: 225: 223: 210: 208: 196: 184: 171: 158: 157: 145: 144: 139: 130: 129:Eupen-Malmedy 126: 125: 124: 123: 119: 114: 113: 107: 103: 99: 96: 95: 94: 91: 88: 87: 81: 78: 77: 71: 68: 67: 63: 59: 53: 48: 45: 41: 36: 31: 26: 22: 9999:Bibliography 9982: 9795:Project Hula 9760:Vistula–Oder 9729: 9662: 9653: 9637: 9607: 9556: 9540: 9531: 9522: 9488: 9385: 9300: 9276: 9246: 8997: 8890: 8835:North Africa 8799: 8537:Soviet Union 8491:Soviet Union 8417:Soviet Union 8185:Vatican City 8088:Vichy France 7993:German Reich 7890:Soviet Union 7876:South Africa 7869:Sierra Leone 7822:Newfoundland 7641:Participants 7624:Marocchinate 7328: 7319: 7289: 7167:North Africa 7128:Indian Ocean 6987:Nazi plunder 6878:Cryptography 6751:World War II 6701: 6680: 6654: 6630: 6609: 6588: 6562: 6535: 6514: 6496: 6475: 6461:, retrieved 6457:the original 6451: 6439:, retrieved 6434: 6415: 6412:Keegan, John 6394: 6373: 6355: 6341:, retrieved 6336: 6317: 6299: 6275: 6271: 6253: 6235: 6217: 6195: 6177: 6159: 6141: 6123: 6105: 6091:, retrieved 6081: 6064: 6055: 6044:Bibliography 5941: 5929: 5917: 5905: 5878: 5845: 5818: 5806: 5779: 5750: 5700: 5673: 5661: 5649: 5637: 5625: 5545: 5533: 5487: 5475: 5446: 5417: 5405: 5393: 5366: 5354: 5342: 5288: 5276: 5226: 5214: 5202: 5190: 5178: 5169: 5168:Niehorster, 5163: 5121: 5094: 5087:Jackson 2003 5082: 5055: 5024: 5012: 5000: 4969: 4938: 4926: 4914: 4902: 4873: 4861: 4824: 4765: 4756: 4744: 4699: 4690: 4681: 4631: 4619: 4607: 4583: 4582:Niehorster, 4577: 4550: 4529: 4517: 4490: 4478: 4471:Dunstan 2005 4466: 4459:Dunstan 2005 4429: 4417: 4388: 4376: 4364: 4352: 4340: 4328: 4316: 4304: 4292: 4287:, p. 4. 4272:, p. 3. 4255:, p. 2. 4233: 4221: 4194: 4182: 4170: 4165:, p. 9. 4158: 4153:, p. 8. 4146: 4141:, p. 8. 4115: 4103: 4072: 4036:Dunstan 2005 4025: 4008: 3987: 3974: 3961: 3948: 3935: 3922: 3845: 3828: 3822: 3820: 3797: 3760: 3731: 3715: 3702: 3689:Paul Reynaud 3681:Sint-Andries 3674: 3669: 3665: 3640: 3636: 3630: 3599: 3563: 3551: 3546: 3539: 3533: 3530: 3525: 3494: 3475: 3473:and Ostend. 3454: 3451: 3431: 3424: 3387: 3370: 3350: 3342: 3314: 3290: 3266: 3227: 3218: 3198: 3171: 3169: 3161: 3145: 3137: 3121: 3112: 3091: 3083: 3063: 3041: 3039: 3034: 3026: 3013: 3011: 3003: 2987: 2971: 2967: 2959: 2912: 2904: 2898: 2890: 2888: 2872: 2854: 2850: 2846: 2841: 2834: 2829: 2825: 2819: 2792: 2783: 2778: 2773: 2754: 2747: 2743: 2739: 2733: 2731: 2716: 2708:114 Squadron 2693: 2690:21 squadrons 2673: 2663: 2659: 2639: 2625: 2619: 2615: 2611: 2599: 2571: 2550: 2544: 2533: 2524: 2518: 2514: 2507: 2505: 2501: 2494: 2486: 2476: 2474: 2464: 2443: 2424: 2387: 2373:Generalmajor 2372: 2368: 2354: 2348: 2345: 2335: 2333: 2329: 2323: 2300:Grevenbroich 2287: 2279: 2277: 2270: 2261: 2255: 2248:Generalmajor 2246: 2240: 2234: 2228: 2219: 2216: 2210: 2208: 2203: 2202:pilots. The 2199: 2186: 2172:and 66 were 2159: 2128: 2093:. Later the 2054: 2028: 2013: 2001:Gembloux gap 1986: 1964: 1960: 1956: 1952: 1946: 1910: 1908: 1891: 1885: 1875: 1873: 1868: 1866: 1857: 1822:Belgian Army 1819: 1786: 1776: 1764: 1761:Kurt Student 1758: 1742: 1725:Army Group A 1721:Army Group B 1718: 1662: 1642:Henri Giraud 1635: 1627: 1623: 1615: 1609: 1607: 1587:aide de camp 1586: 1579: 1571:encirclement 1566: 1556: 1551: 1529: 1523: 1521: 1517: 1513: 1509: 1505: 1500: 1493: 1457:Adolf Hitler 1445: 1421: 1401:Albert Canal 1382: 1361: 1325: 1321:Kriegsmarine 1319: 1301: 1285: 1277:Maginot Line 1270: 1220: 1216:paratroopers 1191: 1189: 1182: 1160: 1150: 1146:Belgian Army 1136:campaign by 1109: 1101: 1097: 1095: 1027: 958: 957: 904: 897: 890: 883: 863: 857: 850: 843: 836: 827: 826: 805: 788: 771: 754: 747: 740: 728: 727: 699: 692: 685: 684: 678: 649: 648: 630: 611: 567: 566: 545: 527: 526: 525: 477: 476: 463: 462: 455: 433: 424:World War II 322:Adolf Hitler 320: 243: 211: 146: 141:Belligerents 120: 92: 44:World War II 38:Part of the 25: 9730:Bodenplatte 9616:Gothic Line 8842:West Africa 8389:Philippines 8368:Netherlands 8233:Czech lands 8171:Switzerland 8115:Afghanistan 8059:Philippines 7927:Puerto Rico 7843:Philippines 7829:New Zealand 7815:Netherlands 7768:Free France 7519:Prosecution 7320:Osoaviakhim 7190:West Africa 7174:East Africa 6821:Conferences 6102:Bond, Brian 6012:Holmes 2001 5993:Hooton 2007 5978:Keegan 2005 5538:Bloock 2003 5231:Hooton 2007 5114:Hooton 2007 5048:Hooton 2007 4943:Hooton 2007 4895:Hooton 2007 4854:Hooton 2007 4800:Hooton 2007 4785:Hooton 2007 4770:Hooton 2007 4612:Keegan 2005 4600:Hooton 2007 4570:Keegan 2005 4522:Fowler 2002 4510:Keegan 2005 4495:Keegan 2005 4422:Holmes 2001 4120:Keegan 2005 4096:Shirer 1990 4065:Holmes 2001 4032:Hooton 2007 4018:Hooton 2007 4014:Hooton 2007 4001:Keegan 2005 3993:Keegan 2005 3980:Holmes 2001 3967:Holmes 2001 3954:Holmes 2001 3941:Holmes 2001 3831:) reports: 3677:Middelkerke 3348:on 21 May. 3317:War Cabinet 3103:Panhard 178 3042:Luftwaffe's 3021:Breguet 693 2775:Alan Brooke 2698:dispatched 2602:Neufchâteau 2580:of the 3rd 2531:of II.(S)./ 2408: [ 2397: [ 2379: [ 2361: [ 2196:Walter Koch 2170:Panzer IIIs 2168:, 123 were 2164:, 288 were 2099:Ronald Adam 2087:Alan Brooke 1989:René Prioux 1949:World War I 1440:Leopold III 1368:French Army 1140:during the 858:Blockbuster 766:Netherlands 721:Dieppe Raid 516:Afsluitdijk 441:River Forth 359:2,445 tanks 357:7,378 guns 350:3,384 tanks 348:13,974 guns 245:Leopold III 195:Netherlands 115:Territorial 10022:Categories 9830:West Hunan 9663:Pointblank 8999:Silver Fox 8985:Summer War 8738:Winter War 8717:Phoney War 8498:Azerbaijan 8459:Yugoslavia 8354:Luxembourg 8196:Resistance 7936:Yugoslavia 7801:Luxembourg 7603:Sook Ching 7399:War crimes 7001:Technology 6994:Opposition 6936:Lend-Lease 6913:Australian 6906:Home front 6864:Blitzkrieg 6814:Casualties 6805:Commanders 6777:Operations 5961:Ellis 1993 5784:Ellis 2004 5755:Ellis 1993 5618:Ellis 2004 5480:Ellis 2004 5410:Healy 2008 5359:Healy 2008 5293:Ellis 1993 5250:Ellis 1993 5060:Ellis 1993 4737:Healy 2008 4653:Healy 2008 4151:Ellis 2004 4108:Healy 2008 3997:Ellis 1993 3909:References 3712:Casualties 3617:See also: 3471:Nieuwpoort 3467:Gravelines 3459:logistical 3259:A Belgian 2976:gallantly. 2807:Dutch Army 2779:de Cointet 2674:Escadrille 2670:Grimbergen 2593:2nd Panzer 2540:Vroenhoven 2517:2) and I./ 2454:See also: 2394:Neerhespen 2284:Düsseldorf 2174:Panzer IVs 2166:Panzer IIs 2089:commanded 2085:. Lt-Gen. 2049:See also: 2005:SOMUA S35s 1941:Fairey Fox 1931:trainers, 1927:fighters, 1921:Fiat CR.42 1862:Sd kfz 231 1602:Eben-Emael 1485:Maastricht 1453:Eben Emael 1224:Royal Navy 1041:Eben-Emael 865:Lumberjack 735:Baby Blitz 700:Donnerkeil 658:Kanalkampf 581:Montcornet 486:Maastricht 465:Luxembourg 435:Phoney War 207:Luxembourg 9895:Manchuria 9781:Indochina 9557:Bagration 9008:Lithuania 8653:Anschluss 8450:Viet Minh 8347:Lithuania 8289:Hong Kong 8052:Manchukuo 8007:Azad Hind 7666:Australia 7466:Aftermath 7329:Paperclip 7224:Aftermath 7024:Total war 6892:Diplomacy 6855:In Europe 6581:Dear, Ian 6534:(1990) , 5946:Bond 1990 5934:Bond 1990 5910:Bond 1990 5898:Bond 1990 5871:Bond 1990 5850:Bond 1990 5823:Bond 1990 5811:Bond 1990 5799:Bond 1990 5743:Bond 1990 5705:Bond 1990 5693:Bond 1990 5678:Bond 1990 5654:Bond 1990 5642:Bond 1990 5630:Bond 1990 5603:Bond 1990 5584:Bond 1990 5567:Bond 1990 5468:Bond 1990 5219:Bond 1990 5207:Bond 1990 5195:Cull 1999 5183:Cull 1999 5029:Cull 1999 5017:Cull 1999 4931:Cull 1999 4919:Bond 1990 4878:Cull 1999 4866:Cull 1999 4716:Bond 1975 4674:Bond 1990 4549:Belgium, 4434:Bond 1990 4393:Bond 1990 4381:Bond 1990 4369:Bond 1990 4357:Bond 1990 4345:Bond 1990 4333:Bond 1990 4321:Bond 1990 4238:Bond 1990 4226:Bond 1990 4214:Bond 1990 4199:Bond 1990 4175:Bond 1990 4163:Bond 1990 4139:Bond 1990 4046:Citations 3846:Luftwaffe 3651:, Bruges– 3649:Diksmuide 3641:Luftwaffe 3637:Luftwaffe 3526:Luftwaffe 3463:Bourbourg 3455:Luftwaffe 3394:Terneuzen 3292:mass of " 3172:Luftwaffe 3158:on 16 May 3087:Tirlemont 3029:war diary 2998:Panzer II 2851:Luftwaffe 2830:Luftwaffe 2826:Luftwaffe 2815:Amsterdam 2811:Rotterdam 2656:on 10 May 2582:battalion 2578:companies 2446:attacks. 2444:Luftwaffe 2437:sent two 2336:Luftwaffe 2324:Luftwaffe 2292:Oldenburg 2278:Keller's 2204:Luftwaffe 2200:Luftwaffe 2193:Hauptmann 2162:Panzer Is 2151:18th Army 2143:XVI Corps 2095:III Corps 2072:John Dill 2061:divisions 1981:SOMUA S35 1904:Zeebrugge 1826:artillery 1552:Wehrmacht 1524:Wehrmacht 1385:Dyle Plan 1327:Luftwaffe 1267:, in 1936 1162:Fall Gelb 1134:offensive 965:The Blitz 948:Nuremberg 943:Heilbronn 928:Frankfurt 913:Paderborn 891:Undertone 844:Veritable 837:Blackcock 729:1944–1945 686:1941–1943 620:Abbeville 501:Rotterdam 496:The Hague 296:Lord Gort 10006:Category 9955:document 9865:document 9722:Ardennes 9706:Budapest 9654:Crossbow 9532:Overlord 9371:Smolensk 8589:Timeline 8424:Slovakia 8410:Thailand 8261:Ethiopia 8226:Bulgaria 8150:Portugal 8081:Thailand 7963:Bulgaria 7741:Eswatini 7734:Ethiopia 7687:Bulgaria 7512:Unit 731 7473:Response 7290:Keelhaul 7240:Cold War 7213:Americas 7204:timeline 7197:Atlantic 7077:Theaters 6651:(2003). 6587:(2001). 6495:(2006), 6474:(1985), 6414:(2005), 6393:(2003), 6354:(2001), 6104:(1975), 6087:archived 6073:42016037 6054:(1941), 3856:See also 3793:Beaumont 3603:La Panne 3497:Kortrijk 3428:British. 3414:IV corps 3319:and the 3306:Boulogne 3294:fag-ends 3156:Beaumont 3052:General 2988:Leopold. 2968:Soldiers 2799:Moerdijk 2787:Tongeren 2700:LeO 451s 2682:Le Culot 2654:Herseaux 2606:Bastogne 2504:of III./ 2420:Nivelles 2308:Dortmund 2286:, LG 1. 2091:II Corps 2039:Montmédy 2007:and 239 1858:utilitie 1679:Gembloux 1451:such as 1378:Brussels 1324:and the 1265:Brussels 1212:airborne 1202:and the 1175:Ardennes 1068:K-W Line 1051:Gembloux 933:Würzburg 812:2nd Alps 806:Nordwind 748:Chastity 741:Overlord 693:Cerberus 679:Sea Lion 663:Adlertag 637:1st Alps 596:Boulogne 552:Gembloux 457:Wikinger 373:captured 341:Strength 108:in exile 79:Location 9932:Shumshu 9699:Hungary 9646:Estonia 9630:Lapland 9608:Dragoon 9541:Neptune 9523:Ichi-Go 9489:Tempest 9431:Changde 9386:Cottage 9278:Jubilee 8994:Finland 8892:Compass 8598:Prelude 8551:Finland 8437:Vietnam 8403:Romania 8275:Germany 8254:Estonia 8240:Denmark 8219:Belgium 8212:Austria 8205:Albania 8136:Ireland 8122:Andorra 8106:Neutral 8066:Romania 8000:Hungary 7985:Finland 7857:Romania 7749:Finland 7727:Denmark 7673:Belgium 7659:Algeria 7365:Romania 7351:Hungary 7107:Pacific 6831:General 6785:Leaders 6770:Battles 6763:Outline 6610:Dunkirk 6292:1985797 6216:(ed.), 3789:Char B1 3779:British 3720:Belgian 3645:Torhout 3633:Cadzand 3586:Roulers 3366:Halluin 3310:Dunkirk 3302:Péronne 3281:Scheldt 3273:V Corps 3214:KW-line 3210:Scheldt 2996:German 2822:Tilburg 2551:Störche 2405:Brustem 2069:Lt-Gen. 2065:I Corps 2059:of two 1937:Caproni 1880:brigade 1783:DFS 230 1763:of the 1646:Zeeland 1559:Cologne 1413:Antwerp 1263:, near 1138:Germany 1108:as the 1106:Belgium 953:Hamburg 923:TF Baum 905:Varsity 898:Plunder 876:Cologne 871:Remagen 851:Grenade 829:Germany 795:Scheldt 755:Dragoon 651:Britain 606:Dunkirk 528:Belgium 506:Zeeland 222:Germany 156:Belgium 117:changes 9909:Debate 9881:Taipei 9874:Borneo 9452:Tarawa 8646:Europe 8607:Africa 8396:Poland 8382:Norway 8361:Malaya 8340:Latvia 8282:Greece 8268:France 8164:Sweden 8129:Bhutan 7850:Poland 7836:Norway 7808:Mexico 7775:Greece 7761:France 7699:Canada 7680:Brazil 7650:Allies 7596:Serbia 7585:Poland 7358:Poland 7344:Baltic 7137:Europe 6839:Topics 6791:Allied 6708: 6689: 6663: 6637: 6618: 6595: 6569: 6542: 6521: 6503: 6482: 6463:10 May 6441:10 May 6422: 6401: 6380: 6362: 6343:10 May 6324: 6306: 6290: 6260: 6242: 6224: 6202: 6184: 6166: 6148: 6130: 6112: 6093:10 May 6071: 3817:German 3757:French 3653:Gistel 3578:Izegem 3570:Vynckt 3566:Nevele 3534:across 3505:Wervik 3362:Maulde 3277:Dender 3206:Dendre 3193:Pak 36 3095:Somuas 2945:, and 2795:Bruges 2568:(1919) 2502:Stukas 2355:Oberst 2318:Battle 2263:Oberst 2215:under 2145:. The 1923:, and 1896:Ostend 1830:AMC 35 1779:glider 1687:Sambre 1683:Hannut 1630:Leuven 1563:Calais 1261:Heysel 1171:Allied 1114:French 1046:Hannut 938:Kassel 884:Gisela 783:Aachen 612:Dynamo 601:Calais 586:Saumur 569:France 557:La Lys 540:Hannut 248: 219: 204: 192: 180: 170:France 167: 153: 89:Result 9685:Leyte 9515:Narva 9501:Anzio 9459:Makin 9417:Burma 9301:Torch 9270:Rzhev 9231:Kiska 8317:Korea 8303:Japan 8296:Italy 8178:Tibet 8157:Spain 8028:Italy 7789:Italy 7782:India 7706:China 7581:Japan 7181:Italy 7093:China 7045:Women 6288:JSTOR 3914:Notes 3812:June. 3590:Lille 3582:Ursel 3574:Tielt 3482:Menen 3439:Ypres 3300:, or 3298:Arras 3242:225th 3238:208th 3202:Senne 3176:Sedan 3070:Wavre 2957:from 2855:KG 30 2723:Vraux 2414:. 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Knowledge

German invasion of Belgium (1940)

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