German Orders of Battle – Battle of France

German Orders of Battle for the Battle of France of June 8, 1940.
The offensive started after Dunkirk Evacuation on June 5 with the attack of Army Group B.

Battle of France

The Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, was a major military campaign that took place in May and June of 1940 during World War II.

Overview

Timeline: The battle began on May 10, 1940, and ended with the French surrender on June 22, 1940.

Combatants: Nazi Germany and its allies invaded France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The defending forces included France, Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

German strategy: The Germans employed a tactic called ‘Blitzkrieg‘ (lightning war), which involved rapid, coordinated attacks using tanks, aircraft, and motorized infantry.

Invasion route: The main German thrust came through the Ardennes forest, which was thought to be impassable for tanks, catching the Allies off guard.

Allied response: The Allies were unprepared for the speed and effectiveness of the German assault, leading to confusion and disorganization.

Dunkirk evacuation: From May 26 to June 4, over 338,000 Allied troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk to England.

Paris falls: The Germans captured Paris on June 14, 1940.

Armistice: France signed an armistice with Germany on June 22, 1940, effectively surrendering.

Consequences: France was divided into occupied and unoccupied zones, with the Vichy regime governing the latter. Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany in Western Europe.

Military impact: The rapid defeat of France shocked the world and established Nazi Germany as the dominant power in continental Europe.

The Battle of France was a decisive German victory that dramatically altered the course of World War II and had far-reaching consequences for Europe and the world.

Battle of Dunkirk

The Battle of Dunkirk (May 26-June 4, 1940) was a significant event during World War II where Allied forces were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, in Operation Dynamo.

Background:
– German forces had advanced rapidly through France, trapping Allied troops against the English Channel
– Around 400,000 British and French troops were cornered in the Dunkirk pocket

The Evacuation:
– Operation Dynamo involved both military and civilian vessels
– The “Little Ships of Dunkirk” – hundreds of civilian boats assisted in the rescue
– Royal Navy vessels and RAF provided protection during the evacuation
– Around 338,000 troops were successfully evacuated
– British forces: 198,000
– French forces: 140,000

Significance:
– Prevented complete destruction of British Expeditionary Force (BEF)
– Saved a significant portion of France’s best troops
– Boosted British morale (“Dunkirk Spirit”)
– Allowed Britain to continue fighting
– Churchill’s famous “We shall fight on the beaches” speech

Challenges:
– Constant German air attacks
– Shallow waters prevented larger ships from approaching the beach
– Limited port facilities due to German bombing
– Troops had to wait in long lines while exposed to enemy fire

Aftermath:
– Most military equipment was left behind
– France fell to Germany shortly after
– Britain avoided a potentially catastrophic military defeat
– Became a symbol of British resilience and determination

The evacuation was considered a “miracle” given the circumstances, and played a crucial role in Britain’s ability to continue fighting in World War II.

German Orders of Battle during the Battle of France

From 9 April (when German troops invaded Denmark and Norway) to the armistice with France on 25 June, the German Army confirmed the superiority of its organization and tactics. Losses in Norway were 5,636 men; the invasion of France and the Low Countries cost 27,074 killed, 111,034 wounded and 18,348 missing. On some single days in World War One the losses were higher.

Schematic layout of the German Wehrmacht from June 8th, 1940

Schematic layout:

Overview of fully established and operational divisions of the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe on June 8, 1940

Overview:

Approximate organization strength of the major types of the German Army divisions in 1939-1940:

More about: Germany Army Unit Organization 1939-41.

References and literature

World War II – A Statistical Survey (John Ellis)
Der Grosse Atlas zum II. Weltkrieg (Peter Young)
Kriegstagebuch des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht, Band 1-8 (Percy E. Schramm)
Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der Reichswehr, Wehrmacht und Bundeswehr (Werner Oswald)
The Armed Forces of World War II (Andrew Mollo)