France's Failed 1939 Invasion of Germany | Animated History

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Sources:

Carswell, Richard. The Fall of France in the Second World War: History and Memory (Germany: Springer International Publishing, 2019).

Cornwell, Peter D. The Battle of France: Then and Now (United Kingdom: After the Battle, 2008).

Horne, Alistair. To Lose a Battle: France 1940 (United Kingdom: Penguin Books Limited, 2007), 121.

Shirer, William L. Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany. United States: RosettaBooks LLC, 2011.

Shirer, William L. The Collapse of the Third Republic: An Inquiry Into the Fall of France in 1940 (Germany: RosettaBooks, 2014).

Vauvillier, Francois., Sumner, Ian. The French Army 1939–45 (1) (United Kingdom: Bloomsbury USA, 1998).

Wilkin, Bernard., Williams, Maude. French Soldiers' Morale in the Phoney War, 1939-1940 (New York: Taylor & Francis, 2018).

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[TheArmchairHistorian]

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[adjoftce]

Gamelin was really one of the most incompetent generals during ww2 not only did he ruined France attack during the Saar offensive but he also f*cked up during the battle of France, resulting in having his army surrounded and blocked between Belgium and the Netherlands, sacrificing french reserves and ultimately causing the armistice.

If we add to this that he was a defeatist who refused to adapt the French army to modern conflict in the use of tanks, offensive doctrines and aircraft, it's terrifying how he could be in charge of anything, he lost the war on two occasion and almost just by himself.

It's really sad that french soldiers who were willing to fight and proved to be effective only to suffer from their incompetent high command.

[expandedhistory]

We all heard jokes at the expense of the French. However we must also honor the French soldiers who did fight hard such as Dunkirk. It’s not their fault their leadership was totally incompetent.

[benl]

France going into WWI: We must take the offensive at all costs!

France going into WWII: Ummm...maybe a little offensive? But nothing too serious.

[bangscutter]

The failed Saarland offensive is the epitome of the saying: "Better for an army of sheep led by a wolf, than an army of wolves led by a sheep."

[charlessaint]

It wasn't the individual French soldier that failed. Most were patriotic and determined. It was their leaders that failed.

[entertainmentbuzz]

Napoleon must've been rolling in his grave. Honestly even one of his Marshalls probably could've done the job. Crazy how one nation that was so aggressive, lightning and energetic fighting the entirety of Europe in early 1800s a century later turned very defensive and timid.

[RDSyafriyar]

"Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide." - Napoleon Bonaparte

[legolas-xuou]

Makes you wonder what could have been if the French leadership chose to actually fight.

[DK-igzi]

In France Gamelin is an insult.
He is considered almost as a traitor

[Remembrance]

To add insult to injury, the average German, for all of their supposed superiority, did have a grudging respect for the French. France had beaten them in WWI and had fought from beginning to end. The German high command knew the risk of their exposed western flank as they focused on Poland. Even a successful occupation of the Rhineland by France might have caused a coup or the fatal split up of German forces.

[enyoru]

The French were traumatised by WWI, especially Verdun.
This trauma was reflected in the little actions French command took that golden moment of opportunity.
In France, we learn that some wanted to fight but many didn't want to relive WWI, sadly WWII came to them...

[nickjohnsontx]

“That’s a question for the alternate historians out there.” Griffen read my mind. I was thinking that Cody would have a field day with that scenario.

[imsomewhatcertain]

Oversimplified: “The French had launched a small invasion into the Saar land (Saar Offensive), but they obtained mostly defensive positions; and after a while, decided to just turn around and call it a day.”

Oversimplified, WW2 Oversimplified, Pt. 1

[joshuafrimpong]

This should have been an easy victory for France. Germany's forces where tied down that much in Poland that the French actually outnumbered them, and with the help of all of their military, they could have overran their industrial base in the Rhineland, cut off Germany and made it a very short European war
Instead they got cold feet, retreated, and after doing nothing for 2 years, they were conquered and had to raise their royal flag. What a waste

[michaelf]

The colors of the Polish flag all represent something:

Red, for the bravery of her people.
White, for the love of their land.
And blue, for the loyalty of her allies.

[SpaceMonkeyBoi]

Love the thumbnail design and jokes put into these types of videos. Many history channels take themselves too seriously. These things really make this channel stand out, besides the quality.

[NinjaMan]

Memories from WW1 were still fresh in France, where over 1.5 million soldiers died (over 4% of the population). While their timidity was disasterious in hindsight the French generals had no stomach to send a second generation to ruin. An admirable, if misguided, mindset.

[AL-kbcb]

It's easy to make fun of France while the UK and US were protected by the sea from the nazis. Russia was protected by massive land distances as well.

[lucianoosorio]

France: Failed in invading Germany
This enraged Napoleon who punished them severely