Modern Era · Europe · War

1940

Germany invades France and the Low Countries

May 10, 1940

At dawn German armor poured through the Ardennes, bypassing the Maginot Line which the French had spent a fortune building. Within six weeks Panzer divisions had reached the Channel, trapping the British Expeditionary Force and driving Paris into exile. The strongest army in Europe had been broken in six weeks.

More from 1940 Modern Era

In context

Also in 1940 (7 other events on record)

Battle of Britain · Europe · War
Dunkirk evacuation · Europe · War
The Blitz begins · Europe · War
Germany invades Norway and Denmark · Europe · War
Axis pact binds Germany, Italy, Japan · Europe · Politics
Trotsky killed in Mexico City · North America · Politics

Before and after in Europe

Before: September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland
After: May 27, 1941: Bismarck sunk

Before and after in War

Before: September 1, 1939: Germany invades Poland
After: May 27, 1941: Bismarck sunk

Era

Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.