DUNKIRK 1940 After the German attacks on 10 May 1940, the rapid advance, particularly of the Panzer divisions, made a nonsense of the Allied defense plan. By 15 May the British and the Belgians were being outflanked in the north by German advances in the Netherlands. Appearing out of the Ardennes Forest, German Army Group A crossed the River Meuse at Sedan and Dinant, French Resistance collapsed at these weakly-held points, allowing the Germans to advance into northern France. Trying to realign his armies, Gamelin, the French commander agreed to the withdrawal of the French First Army Group and the British Expeditionary Force from the line of the Dyle to the River Scheldt on 16 May. French armored attacks on the 17–19 May and British on 21 May gave the Germans a scare and a few temporary problems, their advance continued reaching Abbeville by 20 May and then the Channel coast on 22 May. THE BOMBING OF GERMANY 1940–41 The British Royal Air Force, the world’s first air force independent of army or navy, had been formed around the proposition of taking the war to the enemy by bombing its industrial centers. The R.A.F. had done this in 1918, operating from bases in northern France. Its fleet of strategic bombers was just coming into meaningful service when the World War I ended. Through to the 1920s and 30s, the R.A.F.’s main role had become a colonial one—bombing rebellious tribes with a fleet of light biplane bombers. Its strategic role relegated to theory and discussion in training schools. By the mid-30s rearmament was underway, which included new aircraft for R.A.F. Bomber Command. In September 1939 this Command was ready to operate from bases in eastern England, following its “Western Air Plans” (originated by the Combined Services Planning Section in 1936). These plans assumed immediate military operations by German forces in the west.
✔ Author(s): Alexander Swanston,Malcolm Swanston
✔ Title: The Historical Atlas of World War II: 170 Maps that Chart the Most Cataclysmic Event in Human History (Historical Atlas Series)
✔ Rating : 4.6 out of 5 base on (149 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0785836497
✔ ISBN-13: 9780785836490
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about The Historical Atlas of World War II by Alexander Swanston
Melody Blake
This book completely captured my heart. The characters were so relatable, and their journeys resonated deeply with me. The writing was poetic and powerful, leaving me with a sense of awe. I'm grateful to have experienced this literary gem.
Aileen Menzie
What a rollercoaster of emotions! I laughed, cried, and everything in between. The author's ability to evoke such raw feelings is truly commendable. It's a story that will stay with me forever.
Kara Snyder
The way the author handled complex emotions and relationships was remarkable. I felt deeply connected to the characters, and their growth throughout the story was both inspiring and moving.
