Hitler schedule for invasion of France 1940
Hitler schedule for invasion of France 1940
Hi, everyone knew the defeat of France was very quick in 1940, withine 47 days, but I would like to know if Hitler had any prediction or speculation on so quick defeat of France in 1940 ? Given French tough resistance during the Great War, and with British assistance and with large colonial empire, did Hilter have predict to defeat France so soon ? Anyone have data on that ? Thank
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Re: Hitler schedule for invasion of France 1940
I would refer you to 'Strange Victory' by Mays. Written a couple decades ago it is a fresh look at the many changes in German plans and expectations. Mays places some emphasis on Hitlers constant uncertainty, fear and waffling over the many plans tested by Halder and the army commanders in map exercises and field training. Other historians like Horne, or Jackson refer to the same thing in their examinations. One week Hitler would be all for a bold plan, then next he'd declare it too risky & demand something else. Outside events like the Mellethien Incident also triggered abrupt changes in his mind. Through all this Halder continued methodically testing assorted plans. During the late autumn or winter he had come to favor placing the main effort in the Ardennes Runsteadt testing his role in the campaign and observing field exercises came to favor this plan as well. Everyone saw it as high risk, but it had some chance of success. The other plans failed worse in the test of map & field exercises.