Although the story of the German Fall Gelb offensive against France; Belgium; and Holland in May 1940 is well known; most accounts tend to stop with the conclusion of the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Dunkirk on June 4; 1940. The German operation that actually conquered metropolitan France; Fall Rot (Case Red); is usually glossed over in brief. Nor are many people aware today that there was a second BEF in France; which was also successfully evacuated by sea. The current literature on the Western campaign of 1940 essentially spotlights the German drive to the English Channel and the Dunkirk evacuation then skips ahead to the French armistice; skipping over the military; political; and human drama of France's collapse in June 1940. Indeed; some of the most interesting military operations of the 1940 campaign were conducted in June 1940; as the Allies mounted a vigorous counterattack at Abbeville (including the British 1st Armoured Division--the first time that the British Army employed an armored division in combat) and then mounted a tough defense along the Somme River. Unlike the easy breakthrough at Sedan; the Germans had to fight hard to break through the Weygand Line. Churchill decided to send a second BEF to France to support the French; but the Germans finally achieved a decisive breakthrough before it could be effectively deployed. The British were forced to mount a second evacuation from the ports of Le Havre; Cherbourg; Brest; and St. Nazaire; which rescued over 200;000 troops; although the transport RMS Lancastria was sunk by German bombers; with the loss of over 4;000 troops. While France was in its death throes; politicians and soldiers debated what to do--flee to England or North Africa or to seek an armistice.The drama of the final three weeks of military operations in France in June 1940 has never effectively been captured on paper; but this is a story that needs to be told since it had great impact on the course of World War II and inter-Allied relations. This book will also address the initial German exploitation of France and how the windfall of captured military equipment; fuel and industrial resources enhanced the Third Reich's ability to attack its next foe--the Soviet Union.
#323771 in Books Osprey Publishing 2015-05-19 2015-05-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.86 x 7.87 x 7.29l; .60 #File Name: 147280561596 pages9781472805614
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. The proud history of Chinese aces and their detailed air battlesBy John GongThe colorful history of the ROCs gallant aviators; the development of the ROCAF and their struggle against a modern Japanese Air Force. The book meticulously details air battles from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression through World War II. It's a piece of history that is not widely known in the West but Raymond Cheung does an incredible job of retelling the story of China's 17 fighter aces. Extremely well researched; rare photographs; great artwork and a must read! You won't find a better resource in the States.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The early Chines Air Force at war.By Anne WheelerAs a student of the air war over China before and during WWII; this book offers detail on the Chinese Air Force and information to the various countries that supplied aircraft; equipment; and instruction to China. To date I have 39 books from Osprey Publishing in my library and most are well written with significant detail of text; pictures; and color plates of aircraft; supporting each book's theme. Though I have not made a study of individual Chinese pilots; the details on developing the early Chinese Air Force was very interesting to me.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. An Excellent Book on a Little Known and Overlooked Subject!By Zane R. NobbsOne of the most authoritative books on a long over-looked subject. The biographies of the aces and the type of aircraft flown are second-to-none. The book covers the Chinese Civil War; War Against Japanese Aggression; Second World War; Chinese Revolution and follow ups completely. It shows the determination and perseverance of the Chinese people standing up to an outside invader and how Nationalist China withstood several outside influences to protect the nation as best they could.
