In short
In May 1940, Nazi Germany launched a massive invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, bypassing the heavily fortified Maginot Line through the Ardennes Forest. Within six weeks, France fell—a shock that reshaped European power and left Britain standing alone against Nazi expansion.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
The Battle of France, also known as the Fall of France, during the Second World War was the German invasion of the Low Countries and France. The plan for the invasion of the Low Countries and France was called Fall Gelb. Fall Rot was planned to finish off the French and British after the evacuation at Dunkirk. The Low Countries and France were defeated and occupied by Axis troops down to the French demarcation line.
As it was happening
12 voices, 43 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Operation Fall Gelb begins
Germany launches simultaneous invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The main German force under General Gerd von Rundstedt crosses the Ardennes Forest, a region France had considered impassable for large-scale military operations.
Voices from this moment (1)
Operation Fall Gelb begins
May 10
“Germany launches simultaneous invasions of Belgium, the…”
As it was happening
12 voices, 43 days.
Day 0 · May 10, 1940
Operation Fall Gelb begins
Germany launches simultaneous invasions of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The main German force under General Gerd von Rundstedt crosses the Ardennes Forest, a region France had considered impassable for large-scale military operations.
“Germany launches simultaneous invasions of Belgium, the…”
- Operation Fall Gelb begins, May 10
Day 2 · May 12, 1940
German forces breach French defenses
The Wehrmacht crosses the Meuse River near Sedan, punching through French lines and beginning a rapid advance toward the English Channel.
“The Wehrmacht crosses the Meuse River near Sedan, punching…”
- German forces breach French defenses, May 12
Day 5 · May 15, 1940
French government appeals for help
French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud calls President Roosevelt, warning that France faces defeat without American military intervention. Roosevelt refuses to commit.
“French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud calls President…”
- French government appeals for help, May 15
Day 16 · May 26, 1940
Dunkirk evacuation begins
Operation Dynamo commences as British and French forces trapped at the port of Dunkirk begin evacuation across the English Channel. Over 338,000 troops escape by June 4.
“We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we…”
- Speech to House of Commons, London, Jun 4
“FR: 'La bataille de France a commence.”
- Radio broadcast to the French people, May 28
“Operation Dynamo commences as British and French forces…”
- Dunkirk evacuation begins, May 26
Day 31 · June 10, 1940
Paris declared open city
The French government abandons the capital and flees south. German forces enter Paris on June 14 unopposed.
“The whole French nation seems to be on the move - a people…”
- Personal diary entries, June 1940, Jun 15
“The French government abandons the capital and flees south.”
- Paris declared open city, Jun 10
Day 37 · June 16, 1940
Reynaud resigns
Prime Minister Paul Reynaud steps down, replaced by Marshal Philippe Pétain, who immediately begins armistice negotiations with Germany.
“France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war.”
- BBC Radio broadcast from London, Jun 18
“DE: 'Frankreich ist besiegt!”
- Synthesized from period diary accounts - Nazi propaganda records, Jun 21
“Prime Minister Paul Reynaud steps down, replaced by Marshal…”
- Reynaud resigns, Jun 16
Day 43 · June 22, 1940
Armistice signed
France formally surrenders to Germany in the same railway carriage used for the 1918 armistice. Under its terms, Germany occupies roughly 60 percent of France; Pétain's Vichy regime controls the remainder.
“France formally surrenders to Germany in the same railway…”
- Armistice signed, Jun 22
The numbers.
3 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Duration of invasion
0 weeks (May 10–June 22, 1940)
French casualties
0 killed, wounded, or missing
British evacuees at Dunkirk
0 troops (May 26–June 4)
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Battle of France
en.wikipedia.org