Xref: utzoo sci.military:4572 soc.history:1222
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker)
Newsgroups: sci.military,soc.history
Subject: 50 Years Ago:
Message-ID: <1990Jun5.201349.27364@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 5 Jun 90 20:13:49 GMT
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Followup-To: soc.history
Distribution: na
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 31
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker)
Wednesday, 5 June, 1940

German forces launch "Fall Rot" (Operation Red), the second phase of the
French campaign.  119 German divisions stand ready to attack the remaining
65 French and 1 British divisions.  The Allies defend along the Somme and
Aisne rivers, informally known as the "Weygand Line", and flanked to the
east by the Maginot Line.  The river lines have been well prepared, with
fortified villages at key points, and the defenders fight vigorously 
despite intense German air and artillery bombardment.

The initial blow falls in western France, where Hoth's panzercorp
leads the crossing at several Somme bridgeheads.  In the east, German
tanks are still reforming after their return from the Channel coast.

Hauptman (Captain) Werner Moelders, Germany's leading fighter ace,
is shot down newar Compiegne and captured by French troops.

Premier Reynaud again shuffles his cabinet; former Premier Daladier leaves
the government, while Charles de Gaulle is appointed Under-Secretary for
Defense.

--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Bill Thacker			            military@cbnews.att.com
Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com

"Let the thoughts of our country's sufferings inspire in you the firm
resolve to resist.  The fate of the nation and the future of our children
depend on your determination." - General Maxime Weygand