1. WWII: Battle of France
October 11, 2016

2. Hitler’s next stop: France
France prepares for Germans
Created interconnected fortresses along German border (Maginot Line)
France created STRONG resistance on German/ French border
Light resistance along Belgium & German border
German/ Belgium border: Ardennes Forest
Hilly, forests
France considered INVASION PROOF
HINT: Route Germany took in 1914 was through BELGIUM (WWI)
France considered Ardennes Forest to be invasion proof – WRONG!!!

3. Germans roll through Ardennes Head NORTH to English Channel
May 1940
Germans roll through Ardennes
Head NORTH to English Channel
“Miracle of Dunkirk”
338,000 French/ British troops escaped
This would have crushed England
New Prime Minister in England: Winston Churchill
France falls in 35 days
Germany takes Paris
Force France to surrender in same railway car as Germany surrendered in 1918 ***
France divided in 2 sections
Large NORTH - Germans
Small SOUTH – French
NEXT STOP…England