In the spring of 1940, The Germans launched an all-out attack on the Western Allies of Great Britain, France and Belgium. When completely massed together, it was a combined military force of 2.5 million troops, supported by 2500 tanks, 4000 artillery pieces and mortars, and 4500 aircraft. The massive assault commenced at 5:30 on the morning of May 10. And, just over five weeks later, it was all over. The Belgians had been forced to capitulate, the British were driven off the continent at Dunkirk and surrounding beaches; while the French were forced to surrender. It was Germany’s greatest military triumph ever, and the Allies’ most humiliating defeat. Specifically speaking, the huge German attack force was situated in the following manner.

First, in the northern sector, there was Army Group B. This powerful force contained nearly 30 infantry divisions, three Panzer divisions, and two motorized divisions. Just to the south of this formation was Army Group A. This formation was absolutely enormous, and nearly three times more powerful. To begin with, it was comprised of nearly 46 infantry divisions, seven Panzer divisions, and three motorized divisions. Army Group C rounded out the remainder of the German forces. It was considerably smaller than the other two AG’s, with just 19 infantry divisions to its credit.

The Germans were victorious in this campaign for two main reasons. First, they launched a massive armored assault through the Ardennes Forest of southern Belgium where the Western Allies believed was impassable to tanks; and secondly, they massed all their armor together in huge attacking formations. This gave them an enormous advantage against the Allies’ who, very stupidly, spread their tanks out in small numbers to support their infantry units. This greatly reduced their counter-attacking capability.