22 May 1940
22nd May 1940
Britain
British experts at Bletchley Park manage to break the Luftwaffe Enigma code, aided by the huge volume of encrypted traffic over the last month.
Churchill asks the RAF to decide what the minimum number of squadrons are needed to defend Britain, based on the assumption the Luftwaffe will have bases in Western Belgium available if needed. He is keen to show more support to Holland and Belgium (via the BEF), but the Air Staff has been insistent on retaining sufficient force to defend Britain. As the German advance would put them closer to British targets, a revision of the perceived needs is required.
Ardennes.
The French advance, slow but steady, continues to the Meuse. The northern part of the salient, opposite Dinant, has been pushed back to the Meuse, aided by the tanks of 1DCR. Casualties were heavier than expected, but the problem the Germans have of not being able to stop the CharB's with their anti-tank guns continues. The lighter tanks have proven more vulnerable, and it is becoming clear that no tank lighter than the S-35 is really useful against a prepared opponent. The fighting has reduced 1DCR to about half strength, mainly due to artillery being used in the anti-tank role, and mines. While a number of spoiling attacks were made by 5th Panzer division, and caused losses, they proved unable to cause a serious problem to the now-prepared 1DCR
With the German infantry now having retired behind the Meuse, the French infantry is ordered to fortify their new positions. The Germans are responding in a similar manner on the East bank. The French High Command would like to have crossed the Meuse, but one attempt to bounce the river barrier led to heavy losses to an enemy obviously expecting this. The Army will need to reinforce and bring up proper bridging and engineering support before any serious attempt can be made.
In the south, the situation around Sedan continues to be static as both sides continue to improve their defences. The French have the same problem here as at Dinant, no proper equipment for forcing and holding a direct river assault, although at least here their artillery is now in position. The supply of shells, while not what the local commanders would like, is at least considered adequate to support a defensive posture.
Most action over the last few days has been in the middle sector of the front, where French infantry, supported by 2DCR and 4DCR had pushed the German infantry back to the Meuse. Again, this has been with heavy casualties, the invaders resisting stubbornly to buy time for a proper retreat behind the river line. However by evening on the 22nd the French have finally re-established themselves on the Meuse.
All three of the DCR's involved in the fighting need replacement men and tanks, and the next task is seen as restoring them to full strength. Given the large panzer force the Germans have, the current plan is for three of the DCR to be held here to hold the line, while the fourth is held further back, able to be used here or as a mobile reserve against another attack.
With the front now looking reasonable stable, 1DLM and it's associated motorised division will be pulled back north, the intention being to reconstitute 7th Army as the northern mobile reserve. The division has done all the repair and recovery it can do here, and will set off north tomorrow. More replacement tanks and equipment will be delivered to it when it reaches its old position behind the Dyle line. The British 1st Armoured Division left this morning, and the 5th Infantry Division will be given a day to rest, then will follow it.
Germany
The retreat behind the Meuse, while inevitable after the defeat of the panzer thrust and the logistical chaos behind the leading divisions, is viewed as a serious setback by the High Command. The situation in the West will be rectified by continuing to advance in other areas. Two new thrusts are being planned; a push against French 1st Army opposite Genbloux, and one to surround and cut off Antwerp and split the Belgian Army in two. Antwerp is seen as the priority target, and while breaking through by Genbloux would be good, it is seen as the secondary priority.
The forces currently opposite Antwerp will continue to monitor and pin down the Allied defence for a few days while the attack force is reinforced. At the moment there do not seem to be allied tanks in the area, and it is known their main mobile force, 7th Army, is still in the Ardennes. However more panzers are seen as needed. To strengthen the armour, 1st and 2nd Panzer will be moved north. 1st Panzer starts off today, and will be positioned south of Antwerp (in a good position to strengthen whatever thrust looks like the most promising), 2nd Panzer will follow tomorrow, once the road is cleared of 1st Panzer's vehicles, and join 3rd and 4th Panzer as the reserve. Additional infantry divisions will also be available, as they will not be required in the Ardennes so long as the Germans retain a defensive posture.
Both divisions suffered quite badly in the earlier battles, and while all the tanks that could be recovered and fixed are now operational again, they need more. While Germany doesn't have a large pool of armour available, there are some. The lighter tanks are no big problem, the medium tanks are. There are some in reserve, more repaired vehicles, and new built tanks - these will be sent to 1st and 2nd Panzer. There are also issues with shortages in artillery and support services. The artillery is relatively easy, the specialised support troops less so. Those available can be sent, in the meantime some can be made available from 6th and 8th Panzer.
The new attacks are seen as an urgent priority. The Staff feel that the French will be cautious at releasing their armour in the Ardennes back into a proper reserve, and want to take advantage of this delay to strike first.
The Luftwaffe have been finalising plans both for supporting the new attacks, and to deal a series of devastating attacks on Holland. Since it will take some days to move the various Army formations, Goering intends to launch the first attack against The Hague tomorrow. The Luftwaffe have used the less-intensive actions in the north to carry out much-needed maintenance and bring up supplies closer to Holland. The squadrons that have been supporting the Ardennes actions will be given a few days to rest and recover, before being re-committed.
Britain
British experts at Bletchley Park manage to break the Luftwaffe Enigma code, aided by the huge volume of encrypted traffic over the last month.
Churchill asks the RAF to decide what the minimum number of squadrons are needed to defend Britain, based on the assumption the Luftwaffe will have bases in Western Belgium available if needed. He is keen to show more support to Holland and Belgium (via the BEF), but the Air Staff has been insistent on retaining sufficient force to defend Britain. As the German advance would put them closer to British targets, a revision of the perceived needs is required.
Ardennes.
The French advance, slow but steady, continues to the Meuse. The northern part of the salient, opposite Dinant, has been pushed back to the Meuse, aided by the tanks of 1DCR. Casualties were heavier than expected, but the problem the Germans have of not being able to stop the CharB's with their anti-tank guns continues. The lighter tanks have proven more vulnerable, and it is becoming clear that no tank lighter than the S-35 is really useful against a prepared opponent. The fighting has reduced 1DCR to about half strength, mainly due to artillery being used in the anti-tank role, and mines. While a number of spoiling attacks were made by 5th Panzer division, and caused losses, they proved unable to cause a serious problem to the now-prepared 1DCR
With the German infantry now having retired behind the Meuse, the French infantry is ordered to fortify their new positions. The Germans are responding in a similar manner on the East bank. The French High Command would like to have crossed the Meuse, but one attempt to bounce the river barrier led to heavy losses to an enemy obviously expecting this. The Army will need to reinforce and bring up proper bridging and engineering support before any serious attempt can be made.
In the south, the situation around Sedan continues to be static as both sides continue to improve their defences. The French have the same problem here as at Dinant, no proper equipment for forcing and holding a direct river assault, although at least here their artillery is now in position. The supply of shells, while not what the local commanders would like, is at least considered adequate to support a defensive posture.
Most action over the last few days has been in the middle sector of the front, where French infantry, supported by 2DCR and 4DCR had pushed the German infantry back to the Meuse. Again, this has been with heavy casualties, the invaders resisting stubbornly to buy time for a proper retreat behind the river line. However by evening on the 22nd the French have finally re-established themselves on the Meuse.
All three of the DCR's involved in the fighting need replacement men and tanks, and the next task is seen as restoring them to full strength. Given the large panzer force the Germans have, the current plan is for three of the DCR to be held here to hold the line, while the fourth is held further back, able to be used here or as a mobile reserve against another attack.
With the front now looking reasonable stable, 1DLM and it's associated motorised division will be pulled back north, the intention being to reconstitute 7th Army as the northern mobile reserve. The division has done all the repair and recovery it can do here, and will set off north tomorrow. More replacement tanks and equipment will be delivered to it when it reaches its old position behind the Dyle line. The British 1st Armoured Division left this morning, and the 5th Infantry Division will be given a day to rest, then will follow it.
Germany
The retreat behind the Meuse, while inevitable after the defeat of the panzer thrust and the logistical chaos behind the leading divisions, is viewed as a serious setback by the High Command. The situation in the West will be rectified by continuing to advance in other areas. Two new thrusts are being planned; a push against French 1st Army opposite Genbloux, and one to surround and cut off Antwerp and split the Belgian Army in two. Antwerp is seen as the priority target, and while breaking through by Genbloux would be good, it is seen as the secondary priority.
The forces currently opposite Antwerp will continue to monitor and pin down the Allied defence for a few days while the attack force is reinforced. At the moment there do not seem to be allied tanks in the area, and it is known their main mobile force, 7th Army, is still in the Ardennes. However more panzers are seen as needed. To strengthen the armour, 1st and 2nd Panzer will be moved north. 1st Panzer starts off today, and will be positioned south of Antwerp (in a good position to strengthen whatever thrust looks like the most promising), 2nd Panzer will follow tomorrow, once the road is cleared of 1st Panzer's vehicles, and join 3rd and 4th Panzer as the reserve. Additional infantry divisions will also be available, as they will not be required in the Ardennes so long as the Germans retain a defensive posture.
Both divisions suffered quite badly in the earlier battles, and while all the tanks that could be recovered and fixed are now operational again, they need more. While Germany doesn't have a large pool of armour available, there are some. The lighter tanks are no big problem, the medium tanks are. There are some in reserve, more repaired vehicles, and new built tanks - these will be sent to 1st and 2nd Panzer. There are also issues with shortages in artillery and support services. The artillery is relatively easy, the specialised support troops less so. Those available can be sent, in the meantime some can be made available from 6th and 8th Panzer.
The new attacks are seen as an urgent priority. The Staff feel that the French will be cautious at releasing their armour in the Ardennes back into a proper reserve, and want to take advantage of this delay to strike first.
The Luftwaffe have been finalising plans both for supporting the new attacks, and to deal a series of devastating attacks on Holland. Since it will take some days to move the various Army formations, Goering intends to launch the first attack against The Hague tomorrow. The Luftwaffe have used the less-intensive actions in the north to carry out much-needed maintenance and bring up supplies closer to Holland. The squadrons that have been supporting the Ardennes actions will be given a few days to rest and recover, before being re-committed.
