The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership. 66 - Overview of the Battle of France I
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May 17, 2021 Explore the gripping narrative of the German invasion of France in 1940, highlighting the heroism of the Dunkirk evacuation against overwhelming odds. Discover the British Army's unpreparedness due to training deficiencies and equipment woes, tracing its evolution from the interwar period. Delve into the British Expeditionary Force’s innovative mobility strategies and critique key defensive lines like the Maginot. Uncover the French 7th Army's strategic maneuvers and the military planning that shaped the early stages of this pivotal conflict.
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British Army's Junior Role
- The British Army was the junior partner in the Battle of France, with fewer divisions than Belgium or France.
- Britain deployed only 13 divisions compared to 104 French and 22 Belgian divisions on May 10, 1940.
10-Year Rule Impact
- British military policy adopted the 10-year rule, expecting no peer conflict for a decade after WWI.
- This led to reduced preparedness for large-scale European war, impacting 1940 readiness.
Territorial Army Limitations
- Mobilization and contribution of Britain's Territorial Army (TA) was limited by political and financial constraints.
- TA divisions in 1940 were only partially trained and lacked full equipment, used mainly for infrastructure and communications.
