Adolf Hitler27 September 1939
Hitler informs some of his commanders that he intends to invade France
Germany · Warfare / World War, 2nd. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Hitler informs some of his commanders that he intends to invade France
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Franz Halder, the Chief of Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the German Army High Command, presents the first plan for Fall Gelb ("Case Yellow")
Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia
Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out
Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out
1st day of Fall Gelb, German forces occupy Luxembourg
Crosses the borders of Belgium & Holland towards France
Hitler takes up his Battle HQ at Munstereifel on the Siegfried Line
Writes in his diary, "the breakthrough is developing along completely classical lines"
Wishes to reduce the 2 operational phases to 1. Claims there is little danger of an Allied attack on the northern flank of the "Bulge". Believes France can be broken in a single sweep to the south west
Moves westward in the direction of the River Sambre
Advances as far as the Channel Coast
Races to the coast of the English Channel at Abbeville isolating the British Expeditionary Force, Belgian Army, and the French Army
Rommel crosses the River Scarpe
Times the 2nd phase of the invasion of France for 31st May at a Council of War
Commands 28 Divisions from the North Sea to Aix-la-Chapelle
Fall Gelb (Case Yellow), German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and surround the Allied units that had advanced into Belgium
In the Battle of France commands Panzergruppe von Kleist, consisting of XLI Panzer Corps and XIX Panzer Corps (under Heinz Guderian), the two southernmost armoured corps in the drive to the English Channel
The Germans had massed the bulk of their armoured force in Panzer Group von Kleist, which attacked through the comparatively unguarded sector of the Ardennes and achieved a breakthrough at Sedan with air support. Commands 5 Panzer & 3 motorised Divisions through the Ardennes
Commands 17 Divisions from the Moselle to the Swiss border
Operation, Fall Rot (Case Red), German forces outflank the Maginot Line
Rommels 7th Panzer Div crosses the River Somme
Rommels 7th Panzer Div crosses the River Seine
Italy declares war on France
Rommels 7th Panzer Div reaches St Valery
Heinrici breaks through the Maginot Line
Philippe Petain publicly announced France would ask for an armistice
Advanced as far as the Swiss border when France surrenders
An armistice is signed between France and Germany
Army Group D is formed to occupy France
Guderains blitzkrieg policy is accepted by the German High Command
Sets up his HQ in Margival near Soissons during the German invasion of France
Commands the 8th Army during the invasion of France
Helps the Germans break through the Weygand Line into France
Encircles 4 French Armies in Epinal-Belfort
Works with Guenther Blumentritt & Henning von Tresckow to develop the plan to invade France. Manstein serves under General Gunther von Kluge
Manstein & his colleagues suggest the German Army should attack through the wooded Ardennes hills. Hitler approves of the Manstein Plan to invade France
Commands the Fliegerkorps VIII, cousin of the "Red Knight"
Advocates the German thrust into Sedan
Leads the invasion of France wwith 44 Divisions from Aix-la-Chapelle to the Moselle
Commands the 3rd Air Fleet during Germany's invasion of France
Supports Rundstedts Army Group A in its invasion of France
Plans are completed for the German occupation of France
Troops are alerted to the occupation of Vichy France
German troops reach the Spanish border & Mediterranean
The Army Felber is given the responsibility for the occupation of the Medierranean
The South of France is occupied by the 1Ninth Army & the Italian 4th Army is relieved
Reports the Rhone Valley, Toulon & Marsaille are tempting areas for Allied invasion
Responsible for defending occupied France from Allied invasion
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