According to all sources, France after Dunkirk was doomed.
When Germany started to operate across the Somme and Paris fell, there was not much hope according to conventional wisdom.
I do not see any Weygabd-line being held, nor the scheme to make a stand in Normandy for th winter and start war again in spring, properly enforced from Britain. Any other strange scheme also looked a bit wack.
When the Maginot-line was fully encirlced, the last few French froces ware out of any action.
Now, with all of this, I wonder:
- French forces in the South did put of a fight
- a new BEF was launched back on the continent
- Churchill was full of fight
- German armour was worn out
Was it hopeless? and if so, what should have been done after the fall of Paris? armistice immediately? surrender?
Whne did it become hopeless? smack after Dunkirk? - I am not sure on that
The new BEF nearly got caught in France because the French government didn't even bother tell their own allieds about the surrender.
Could they have been used better?
Was it just a matter of French leadership having given up?
Ivan
When Germany started to operate across the Somme and Paris fell, there was not much hope according to conventional wisdom.
I do not see any Weygabd-line being held, nor the scheme to make a stand in Normandy for th winter and start war again in spring, properly enforced from Britain. Any other strange scheme also looked a bit wack.
When the Maginot-line was fully encirlced, the last few French froces ware out of any action.
Now, with all of this, I wonder:
- French forces in the South did put of a fight
- a new BEF was launched back on the continent
- Churchill was full of fight
- German armour was worn out
Was it hopeless? and if so, what should have been done after the fall of Paris? armistice immediately? surrender?
Whne did it become hopeless? smack after Dunkirk? - I am not sure on that
The new BEF nearly got caught in France because the French government didn't even bother tell their own allieds about the surrender.
Could they have been used better?
Was it just a matter of French leadership having given up?
Ivan