Gamelin and the fall of France

Sitzkreig

Sep-May 1940
Period of relative inactivity
Gamelin believed Poland would hold out for at least 6 months so he could remain on the defensive, planning for a long attritional war behind the Maginot line
Poland lasted barely a month

Potential opportunities from Sitzkreig

Saar offensive
The capture of German offensive plans
Numerical advantage on Western front

Fall Gelb

After plans had been found, they changed so the German panzers were to attack through the Ardennes which was deemed to be unpassable due to terrain
French tanks either matched or outperformed that of German tanks
Speed of German advance and superior communication allowed them to breach the French “decision loop”

Outcomes of fall Gelb

Excellence of French Char B and R 35
German established air superiority

Fall Rot

May - Gamelin sacked and replace by Weygand
May - GB, Bel and Fra forces are evacuated from Dunkirk
Maginot line holds with Ger only taking 10 of the forts
Ger suffered huge soldier losses but took Paris and armistice was signed on 22 June

Gamelin at fault for fall of France

Was Chief of General Staff so all decisions made by him
Maginot Line failed as Bel pulled out of their alliance with France in 1936 therefore couldn’t protect Bel and themselves without invading
Expected for Ger to stick to plans even though knew about their capture of them

Other factors

Weakness of Poland
French poor radio usage - decision loop
Ger unexpectedly attacked through the Ardennes - Didn’t know where to defend - no concentration of force
Despite effective deployment Char B and R35 only had 1 man turrets