Chapter 9: Fall of the Channel Ports
How did the channel ports of Calais Lille, and Dunkirk fall so quickly into German hands?
Several reasons may be cited.
First, was the fact that many of these fortresses were built in the 19th century or earlier and some were built to defend against an
English attack by sea and not a
German invasion. Further the forts were built with 19th century artillery in mind and not the massive guns the Germans were able to bring up as they advanced.
Secondly, the French planners had not considered the possibility of a Belgium capitulating to Germany. While garrisons manned these forts, these garrisons were not large enough to hold back a large German attack force. Further, the speed of the German advance through Belgium with the help of the Belgian railway system meant the Germans were not exhausted and were more then combat ready when they arrived at Dunkirk and Calais.
Thirdly, referring again to the French fortresses surrounding the two major channel ports, the Germans had access to modern artillery which proved very effective in reducing the older more vulnerable French forts. The German field artillery included the great Krupp howitzers and mortars designed specifically to reduce fortifications. As a result, a single show of force at Dunkirk was the motivation for Calais and Lille to declare themselves “open cities”.
The “Dunkirk Demonstration” as it came to be called came about when the commanders of the garrison in Dunkirk refused to surrender the city. The German division proceeded to bring up its heavy artillery and launched a one-hour bombardment of the hapless garrison. By the end of the bombardment the garrison had suffered 150 dead, and 78 wounded. In addition, there had been civilian casualties totaling 70 (32 dead and 38 wounded). The commanders on pressure from the mayor of the city reluctantly surrendered.
The strategy behind the taking of the Channel points by a detachment of Von Kluck’s 1st army meant von Kluck didn’t have to worry about an immediate British attack from his rear. By the 10th of August his First Army had brushed its sleeve against the channel and was turning back westward toward Paris. (
The European War: The First Days; by Lord Herbert Kitchener, 1920)