What was the point of the Ardennes offensive?
The offensive was intended to stop Allied use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to split the Allied lines, allowing the Germans to encircle and destroy the four Allied forces and cause the Allies to negotiate a peace treaty in the Axis powers’ favor.
What did France believe about the Ardennes forest?
The French didn’t believe the Ardennes were impenetrable, but they did believe it was very ill-suited for tanks. In their minds, going through the Ardennes didn’t make much sense, because the limited roadnetwork would be clogged as soon as you deployed a significant amount of armored vehicles.
When did Germany invade France through the Ardennes?
May 10, 1940 – June 25, 1940
Battle of France/Periods
Why did the French think the Ardennes were impenetrable?
Jackson quotes Pétain declaring the Ardennes impenetrable, because “If any enemy attacked he would be pincered as he left the forest. This is not a dangerous sector… as long as we make special provisions” He also quotes Gamelin stating that the Ardennes had “never favored large operations.”
Why did France not defend the Ardennes?
For their part, the French considered the possibility of a German thrust through the Ardennes but rejected it because they believed the Germans in capable of moving troops and supplies quickly enough through the heavily wooded corridor with its poor road network.
How did the Germans pass the Ardennes?
The Germans crossed the rivers especially quickly by deploying pontoons strung along cables to transport their tanks over river crossings. They navigated quickly, with tanks that were able to handle rough terrain better than expected, and in four days had come out of the forest.
Why was German invasion of France important?
Hitler ordered a conquest of the Low Countries to be executed at the shortest possible notice to forestall the French and prevent Allied air power from threatening the vital German Ruhr Area. It would also provide the basis for a long-term air and sea campaign against Britain.
For what official reason did Great Britain declare war on Germany?
Belgium’s ports were close to the British coast and German control of Belgium would have been seen as a serious threat to Britain. In the end, Britain refused to ignore the events of 4 August 1914, when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany.