The Blitzkrieg Tactics

In September 1939, the Germans annexed Poland – causing the beginning of World War II when Great Britain and France declared war to Germany. Theoretically, France was as powerful as Germany. It possessed both a large territory and advanced weapons. Moreover, France created the Maginot Line - a number of ramparts at the eastern border of their territory along Germany. This Line was created to keep the Germans out of France. Originally, Britain and France seemed to be equal to Germany. But, in only few weeks, France clearly proved that it was unprepared to fight the German army. It experienced an embarrassing defeat – resulting in the quick occupancy of their territory by the Germans. This defeat was the result of a shockingly separated

This appeared to be fatal for France. Germany’s success was essentially thanks to a plan put in action by a great military - General Erich von Manstein. This general used the Schlieffen Plan which used to be a success during World War I. Nevertheless, the German army deployed most of their forces such as their tanks, in the Ardennes area of Belgium instead of just advancing on a front through Belgium. This region was not properly protected because they thought that the ground was not suitable for the tanks. Thus, Germany caught France and Great Britain – their allies – by surprise when they attacked from the Ardennes region. After successfully invading France, the German army developed a strategy called “the sickle stroke”. This swept away all the northern region of France at an unbelievable speed – dividing the French army and their allies in two parts. Great Britain got cutoff far way in Belgium and the French army was left to undergo the suffering inflicted by the German

This officer was a war veteran and hero of World War I. He is known to be the one who developed the tactic that generated the crucial victory of France in 1914. Moreover, he is responsible of ineffectively trying to modernize the French army. Unfortunately, since general Gamelan was seriously ill, he was unable to successfully lead the army. The leadership of the army below officer Gamelan was surprisingly very poor as they were too slow to counteract the Germans attacks. Furthermore, the French army did not only experience poor leadership in the army but also poor political leadership. As stated by some French newspapers during the war, the army was unable to encourage the French population - they seemed to be more focused in fighting one another than the German