Photo 1 of 2: The long colums of French prisoners. The number of prisoners taken is not indicative of poor fighting qualities of the French soldiers. At Sedan, many second-line divisions faced first-class German assault troops supported by masses of artillery and overwhelming air support. The speed of the panzers’ advance took everyone by surprise, even the Germans themselves.
Photo 2 of 2: The long colums of French prisoners. The number of prisoners taken is not indicative of poor fighting qualities of the French soldiers. At Sedan, many second-line divisions faced first-class German assault troops supported by masses of artillery and overwhelming air support. The speed of the panzers’ advance took everyone by surprise, even the Germans themselves.
A single guard for so many prisoners. Most French soldiers realized the futility of continuing to fight and just wanted to return home. Unfortunately, many did not do so until 1945 as the Germans continued to imprison French POWs until the last months of the war, when they were finally liberated.
Photo 1 of 4: The Germans attempted to exploit these French colonial troops for propaganda purposes. It would be interesting to know what these soldiers thought about fighting for a colonial power so far from their home.
Photo 2 of 4: The Germans attempted to exploit these French colonial troops for propaganda purposes. It would be interesting to know what these soldiers thought about fighting for a colonial power so far from their home.
Photo 3 of 4: The Germans attempted to exploit these French colonial troops for propaganda purposes. It would be interesting to know what these soldiers thought about fighting for a colonial power so far from their home.
Photo 4 of 4: The Germans attempted to exploit these French colonial troops for propaganda purposes. It would be interesting to know what these soldiers thought about fighting for a colonial power so far from their home.
British prisoners march into captivity, displaying good discipline and morale.
A column of Pz.Kpfw. 35(t) passes a group of French prisoners.
Photo 1 of 3: After the fall of France, many German soldiers were granted leave and explored the normal tourist sights and sounds of Paris and Versailles, as this sampling of images attests. It should be noted that both of those locations later served as schoolhouses for the ever-expanding German military, and both armor-related and command courses were taught at Versailles.
Photo 2 of 3: After the fall of France, many German soldiers were granted leave and explored the normal tourist sights and sounds of Paris and Versailles, as this sampling of images attests. It should be noted that both of those locations later served as schoolhouses for the ever-expanding German military, and both armor-related and command courses were taught at Versailles.
Photo 3 of 3: After the fall of France, many German soldiers were granted leave and explored the normal tourist sights and sounds of Paris and Versailles, as this sampling of images attests. It should be noted that both of those locations later served as schoolhouses for the ever-expanding German military, and both armor-related and command courses were taught at Versailles.
Photo 1 of 2: The most prized occupation posting was to Paris, where, initally, life’s luxuries were easy to find and the Resistance Movement had yet to make its presence felt.
Photo 2 of 2: The most prized occupation posting was to Paris, where, initally, life’s luxuries were easy to find and the Resistance Movement had yet to make its presence felt.
A Kfz. 70 personnel carrier parked opposite a memorial to those French soldiers of the Great War that made the ultimate sacrifice.
No visit to Paris would be complete without a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower.
One of the massive Maginot Line casemates—these were virtually impervious to artillery shells and bombs.
These steel observation cupolas were susceptible to direct fire from the 8.8 cm Flak.
This appears to be some form of roadblock.
A Maginot Line ouvrage. Much has been written about the folly of building these fortifications. However, the Maginot Line proper was never breached by the Germans, just the lighter defenses on the periphery of the line. The large fortresses held out until after the surrender, with some determined German assaults bloodily repulsed. The main problem is that fixed fortifications can usually be outflanked; if the French had sufficient mobile and armored forces to cover the open flanks, the German invasion might have gone very differently.
Photo 1 of 2: Luftwaffe officers inspect the extensive bomb damage. Generally, the Luftwaffe operated in a tactical role in the campaign and attacked strictly military targets. However, those towns where enemy troops were defending were legitimate targets.
Photo 2 of 2: Luftwaffe officers inspect the extensive bomb damage. Generally, the Luftwaffe operated in a tactical role in the campaign and attacked strictly military targets. However, those towns where enemy troops were defending were legitimate targets.
Heavy damage to a French town—whether from heavy artillery or bombing, it is not possible to make a definitive conclusion.
Despite the devastation and chaos of war, life goes on. Crops still need to be planted and harvested.
A Maginot Line bunker with evidence of artillery damage.
Another view of what could be a pristine-looking Maginot Line bunker, although the construction seems German and the uniforms look prewar or very early war.
A bunker surrounded by barbed-wire entanglements and an ominous looking electric fence.
Numerous artillery hits around and directly on an artillery embrasure. The cannon looks to be a 75mm Mle 1897, the famous French “Seventy-Five.”
Surrendering French tank crew.
British prisoners of war. The British troops fought doggedly against the fast-moving Germans, but like their French counterparts, they were usually caught by the speed and tactical flexibility of the German advance.
British prisoners.
Stacks of small arms and other equipment. During the latter stages of the campaign, demoralized French troops surrendered en masse.
Long columns of French prisoners passing a vehicle from the 5. Panzer-Division.
“Under New Management”: the first signs of the German occupation.
The French Army had a number of divisions composed of soldiers from the French African colonies. These colonial divisions fought as courageously as the circumstances allowed. The Nazi propaganda machine was quick to exploit these troops for racial vilification.
More stacks of discarded rifles and light machine guns. The discussion between the civilian and the German officer seems quite animated. Relations between the French populace and the occupying German troops were reasonably cordial in the early days of the occupation.
German soldiers examine a captured Mitrailleuse “Hotchkiss” mle 8mm machine gun. This weapon was the standard French heavy machine gun in World War I and was still in use in 1940. Heavy and cumbersome, it was nevertheless quite reliable.
A common sight during the campaign: a pitiful group of refugees passes an German cavalry unit. It is possible that having been overtaken by the German advance, these people are returning to their homes or farms. The relatively brief duration of the campaign limited the damage to civilian property, and most refugees soon returned home.
Another formidable Maginot Line bunker complex. German troops did break through some of the more lightly defended areas of the line, but the heavily fortified sections remained in action until the surrender on June 25, 1940.
The memorial gate to a British World War I cemetery. At least the prolonged slaughter of the Great War was avoided in this instance as blitzkrieg was a war of maneuver, not attrition.
Photo 1 of 2: German personnel cars and armored cars pass under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The vehicle in the foreground appears to be an Sd.Kfz 222 light armored car. The Germans were quick to organize a triumphant march through the main streets of Paris before a gloating Adolf Hitler.
Photo 2 of 2: German personnel cars and armored cars pass under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The vehicle in the foreground appears to be an Sd.Kfz 222 light armored car. The Germans were quick to organize a triumphant march through the main streets of Paris before a gloating Adolf Hitler.
The destruction of civilian property was not extensive, but some towns and villages suffered severely from both aerial bombing and artillery fire.
Panzer crewmen enjoy the sights of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
