[烛光生存狂]-1940年的法国骑兵部队简介

This article includes the Hannut and Gembloux battles which are already in a separate thread

In my original Word and .pdf files I have included several maps an photos but I was too lazy to attach them individually here.

THE FRENCH CAVALRY CORPS IN 1940

In 1932-1935, the first fully motorized/mechanized French unit, the 1e DLM (Division Légère Mécanique = Light Mechanized Division), was born and developed. The 2e DLM was born in 1937 and the 3e DLM in February 1940. There will be 3 DLMs on 10th May 1940 (1e DLM, 2e DLM and 3e DLM) forming the French cavalry corps under command of general Prioux.

The DLM is more powerful than the DCR, faster and more mobile. It is a unit fully adapted to modern mobile warfare. The term "light" referred to its speed and mobility.

The 1e DLM and 2e DLM became very well trained divisions (even at the divisional an corps level) with efficient crews and specialists. Manoeuvres and trainings were organized at large scale in 1935, 1936, 1937 1938, 1939 and the last divisional training in 1940.. They included deep penetration behind fortifications, cooperation with close air support and close inter-arms cooperation. The crew knew their tanks and how to operate them. The gunners were skilled and trained. The 3e DLM formed in 1940 had only reservists who did their military service on horse and some of them discovered their tank a short time before being engaged, except some officers and specialists originating from the other DLMs.

The cavalry corps and the corresponding HQ is created at the mobilization beginning September 1939. It is under the command of general Prioux until 25th May 1940 when he took command of the 1st army and general Langlois replaced him at the head of the cavalry corps. The cavalry corps contains initially only the 1e DLM and 2e DLM. The 1e DLM is then attached to the 7th army to operate in the Netherlands on 10th May 1940. It is replaced in the cavalry corps by the 3e DLM on 26th March 1940. During the 1940 western campaign the cavalry corps will regroup 1, 2 or the 3 DLMs.

Each DLM included about 10,400 men and 3,400 vehicles :

• 1 divisional HQ

• 1 light motorized brigade (BLM = Brigade Légère Motorisée) with 2 armored cavalry regiments (RC = Régiment de Cuirassiers or RD = Régiment de Dragons).

1e DLM : 174 tanks (+ 16 reserve tanks) in the 1e BLM

• 4e RC (43+4 Hotchkiss H35 and 44+4 Somua S35)

• 18e RD (43+4 Hotchkiss H35 and 44+4 Somua S35)

2e DLM : 174 tanks (+ 16 reserve tanks) in the 3e BLM

• 13e RD (43+4 Hotchkiss H35 and 44+4 Somua S35)

• 29e RD (43+4 Hotchkiss H35 and 44+4 Somua S35)

3e DLM : 174 tanks (+ 16 reserve tanks) in the 5e BLM

• 1e RC (43+4 Hotchkiss H39 and 44+4 Somua S35)

• 2e RC (43+4 Hotchkiss H39 and 44+4 Somua S35)

• 1 light motorized brigade (BLM = Brigade Légère Motorisée) with 1 armored reconnaissance regiment (regiment de découverte) and 1 RDP (Régiment de Dragons Portés = mechanized cavalry regiment)

1e DLM : 107 armored cars in the 2e BLM

• 6e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)

• 4e RDP : 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 (+2 reserve armored cars)

2e DLM : 107 armored cars in the 4e BLM

• 8e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)

• 1e RDP : 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 (+2 reserve armored cars)

3e DLM : 107 tanks / armored cars in the 6e BLM

• 12e RC : 40 Panhard 178 (+1 radio car + 2 reserve armored car)

• 11e RDP : 22 Hotchkiss H35 and 47 Hotchkiss H39

• 1 divisional AT squadron (EDAC = Escadron Divisionnaire Anti-Char)

• 1 divisional repair and recovery squadron

• 1 motorized artillery regiment (with all-terrain tractors)

• 1 motorized AT battery (BDAC = Batterie Divisionnaire Anti-Char)

• 1 motorized AA battery (BDAA = Batterie Divisionnaire Anti-Aérienne)

• 1 engineer battalion (3 motorized companies plus a bridging company)

• 1 telegraph company

• 1 radio company

• 1 carrier-pigeon detachment

• 1 HQ motor transport company

• 1 divisional quartermaster group

• 1 divisional medical group

During early June 1940, the remains of the 5 DLC were to be converted to a DLM "type réduit", a reduced DLM :

• 1e DLC as 4e DLM

• 2e DLC as 5e DLM

• 3e DLC as 6e DLM

• 4e DLC as 7e DLM

• 5e DLC as 8e DLM

The deteriorating military situation meant only 4e DLM and 7e DLM were actually formed.

The 1e DLM, 2e DLM and 3e DLM are also reconstituted beginning June, as reduced DLMs, with men evacuated from Dunkirk and who returned to France after a transit in Great Britain. These 5 DLMs fought until 25th June 1940.

The cavalry tanks are organized in "escadrons" (1 escadron = 1 squadron) and in "pelotons" (1 peloton = 1 platoon). For example in a cavalry unit like the 4e Régiment de Cuirassiers there are : 44 Somua S35 and 43 Hotchkiss H35 (+4 reserve tanks of each model) :

• 1 regiment command tank (1 Somua S35)

• 1 Somua S35 squadrons group = 43 Somua S35 :

--o 1 Somua S35 squadrons group command tank (1 Somua S35)

--o 1st squadron (21 Somua S35) (one "escadron" with 4 "pelotons")

----1 squadron commander tank

----4 platoons of 5 tanks

--o 3rd squadron (21 Somua S35s) (one "escadron" with 4 "pelotons")

----1 squadron commander tank

----4 platoons of 5 tanks

• 1 Hotchkiss squadrons group = 43 Hotchkiss H35 :

--o 1 squadrons group command tank (1 Hotchkiss H35)

--o 2nd squadron (21 Hotchkiss H35) (one "escadron" with 4 "pelotons")

----1 squadron commander tank

----4 platoons of 5 tanks

--o 4th squadron (21 Hotchkiss H35) (one "escadron" with 4 "pelotons")

----1 squadron commander tank

----4 platoons of 5 tanks

At the beginning of the 1940 western campaign, there are 83 French divisions in the north-east area (3 DLMs, 3 DCRs, 5 DLCs, 72 infantry divisions and 4 cavalry brigades). The 6 DCR/DLM armored divisions were never the equivalent in power and combined arms than a Panzerdivision. There are also 10 British divisions (BEF), 22 Belgian divisions (but their real men strength corresponds only to 12 divisions) and 8 Dutch divisions. The allied had therefore a strength of 123 divisions (113 with the real strength of the Belgian divisions) to face a total of 136 German divisions. There are the equivalent of 13 French divisions on the Maginot line and 6 French divisions initially left to face the Italians.

The allied Dyle-Breda plan is to stop the German offensive in Belgium and the Netherlands with the French 1st and 7th armies and the BEF, using the Ardennes and the Sedan area as a hinge on their right flank. The 3 French DLMs have to delay the German troops of Armee Gruppe B (3 Panzerdivisionen) and to establish contacts with the Belgian and Dutch armies in order to allow the allied infantry to deploy. The French have therefore a fast mechanical force but lacking in AA protection and without serious air cover.

The defense of the Ardennes and of the Meuse River is taken in charge by the 9th and 2nd French armies : 7 French divisions generally largely under equipped (sometimes no AA guns like for the 55e DI and 71e DI which had also respectively only 12 and 8 AT guns instead of 62) defended an overstretched front on the Meuse River (from Houx to Sedan - that is 15-30 km for each division whereas an infantry division should theoretically defend a 5-7 km front only) facing 40 German divisions including 7 concentrated Panzerdivisionen, with about 1400 German bombers and attack planes concentrated on a small area during hours. The French troops can there only rely on a good artillery support but only on very insufficient fortifications. The Maginot Line by itself is indeed stopping at the border with the Luxembourg.

General Blanchard (French 1st army) was opposed to the entry in Belgium, judging the Belgian army unable to delay the Germans long enough to enable the deployment of the French troops in Belgium. Indeed the Belgian neutrality obsession did not allow the allied troops to enter Belgium before the German invasion. He evaluated the required time at about 1 week. The Belgians should also have prepared entrenched positions and anti-tank ditches on the future French positions but grossly nothing was done except the beginning of an anti-tank ditch next to Gembloux.

General Gamelin, the commander in chief, nevertheless saw several advantages in the Dyle-Breda operation :

• protection of the industrial area of north-eastern France

• shortening the front between the Maginot Line and the North Sea by 70 km

• offering better chances to rescue the Belgian army and integrate it in the whole allied deployment

The British of course wanted the war as far as possible from the homeland.

The generals Georges (commander in chief north-east) and Bilotte (1st army corps) thought that only a reduced version of this operation, on the Escaut River, was really possible and that the Dyle-Breda line was too far. General Prioux, commander of the cavalry corps, which will have the task to delay the Germans in Belgium with the 2e DLM and the 3e DLM shared the same point of view and did not think that the Belgian army was able to face the German troops.

General Corap, commander of the 9th army on the Meuse River is also opposed to the Dyle-Breda operation and is worried about the weakness of his troops and the too huge front they have to defend (20-30 km for one division instead of 5-7 km). General Giraud (French 7th army), known for his rather offensive spirit, is also opposed to the operation in Belgium. Nevertheless, Gamelin persisted and engaged not only French troops in Belgium on the Dyle but also the potential of the 7th army in an operation in the Netherlands, sacrificing troops that could have constituted a crucial reserve later.

On 10th May 1940, the German army attacks the Netherlands, Belgium and the Luxembourg. Some 4,500 airborne troops (paratroops and glider troops) and Brandenburg commandos seize several important bridges including 2 bridges on the Albert canal, enabling the XVI. Panzerkorps to rapidly cross and capture Maastricht. The Eben Emaël fort is quickly and easily defeated by a special assault group. During the night the German engineers establish a bridge to cross the Meuse River.

1. THE CAVALRY CORPS IN BELGIUM

The French cavalry corps (2e and 3e DLM) enters in Belgium on 10th May at 10h30, followed by the French 1st army. They wished they could have moved before the German attack but this was not possible due to the Belgian neutrality. General Prioux sends captain Métivier from his staff to makes liaison with general Krahe, commander of the 3rd Belgian corps. He reports the little will of cooperation of the Belgians. He also notes that the "Cointet" mobile AT obstacles planned around Gembloux are not deployed, they are completely dispersed several kilometres further around Perwez. The future French positions should have been fortified by the Belgians but except a short portion of AT ditch absolutely nothing was done. The French troops will therefore have to defend on a completely unprepared position. To add to these bad news, Belgian railroad workers went on strike and delayed the arrival of armored elements of the cavalry corps.

General Prioux estimates that it will be difficult to fulfil the delay mission with the German massive air superiority. The operation on the Dyle was based on two hypothesises which appeared already wrong :

• the value of the defensive position at Gembloux

• the capacity of resistance of the Belgian army

He contacts the high command to try to modify the operation into the less ambitious "Escaut" one since only the 3 motorized infantry divisions of the French 1st army were already moving in Belgium. Bilotte, Georges and Blanchard all disagreed with him. The French 1st army will move day and night despite the Luftwaffe. The mission of the cavalry corps is to delay the German troops around Hannut until 14th May before withdrawing behind the French 1st army deployed in Gembloux gap between the Dyle and the Meuse Rivers.

On 11th May, the 4.PzD crosses the Meuse River while the cavalry corps is deploying in the Ophelissem, Hannut, Huy area. On 12th May, the Belgian army retreats to the Dyle River between Anvers and Louvain, exposing the flanks of the French cavalry corps.

The battle of Hannut (12th-14th May) is the first big tank battle of World War 2 : 411 French tanks (3e DLM and 2e DLM) are facing 674 German tanks (4.PzD and 3.PzD). The battle takes place between the Petite Gette stream and the Méhaigne small river, in the area hold by the 3e DLM. The 2e DLM is far less engaged. On 12th May only the 4.PzD is really involved, the 3.PzD having completely crossed the Meuse River only for the 13th May.

The area is favorable to the tanks, therefore to the enemy whose tanks are more numerous. The Germans are also strongly supported by the Luftwaffe whereas on the French side each DLM has only 3 modern reconnaissance aircrafts attached. The battle of Hannut shows that the Somua S35 tank can be at least the equal of the Panzer III and that the Panzer I and Panzer II are rather useless against the French tanks.

During the battle of Hannut, general Prioux had the actual command of a real French tank corps facing a German tank corps. They inflicted heavy losses to the Germans. The use of such a French tank corps is unique during the 1940 campaign except perhaps the formation of the "groupement Buisson" beginning June for the battles on the Aisne and Retourne Rivers south of Rethel which grouped the 3e DCR and the 7e DLM.

On 14th May, having blocked the Germans as long as it was ordered, during 2 days, the cavalry corps moves back behind the French lines at Gembloux. Prioux is ordered to let part of his artillery to the French 1st army. During the battle of Gembloux (14th-15th May) the XVI. Panzerkorps will again be blocked by the 1e DM (Division Marocaine = Moroccan infantry division) and the 15e DIM (Division d'Infanterie Motorisée = motorized infantry division) which anchored their defenses on the Bruxelles-Namur railroad and the cities of Gembloux and Ernage. All the German assaults are repulsed and the XVI. Panzerkorps sustains heavy losses. Nevertheless the German breakthrough at Sedan will force the rather successful allied troops in Belgium to move back.

1.1 The battle of Hannut (12th-14th May 1940)

3. PzD

PzBfWg : 29

Panzer I : 117

Panzer II : 129

Panzer III : 42

Panzer IV : 26

armored cars : 56 (including 23 with a 2.0cm L/55 gun)

3.7cm PaK L/45 : 51

2.0cm FlaK 30/38 : 24

8.8cm FlaK L/56 : 9

7.5cm leIG : 24

15cm sIG : 8

10.5cm leFH : 24

15cm sFH : 12

+ attached M.G.-Btl.7 : 12 3.7cm PaK L/45

+ attached II./Flak-Lehr-Rgt : 9 8.8cm FlaK L/56 and 24 2.0cm/3.7cm FlaK

4. PzD

PzBfWg : 15

Panzer I : 141

Panzer II : 111

Panzer III : 40

Panzer IV : 24

armored cars : 56 (including 23 with a 2.0cm L/55 gun)

3.7cm PaK L/45 : 51

2.0cm FlaK 30/38 : 24

8.8cm FlaK L/56 : 9

7.5cm leIG : 24

15cm sIG : 8

10.5cm leFH : 48

15cm sFH : 24

+ attached Pz.Jg.Abt.654 : 12 3.7cm PaK L/45

+ attached M.G.-Btl.7 : 12 3.7cm PaK L/45

TOTAL XVI. Panzerkorps

tanks : 674 (including 132 Panzer III and Panzer IV + )

armored cars : 112 (including 46 with a 2.0cm L/55 gun)

3.7cm PaK L/45 : 138

2.0cm / 3.7cm FlaK : 72

8.8cm FlaK L/56 : 27

7.5cm leIG : 48

12cm sIG : 16

10.5cm leFH : 72

15cm sFH : 36

+ 14 infantry/motorcycle battalions

2e DLM

Hotchkiss H35 : 84

Somua S35 : 88

armored cars : 107 (including 40 Panhard 178 and 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1)

47mm SA37 L/53 AT guns : 8

25mm SA34/37 L/72 AT guns : 12

25mm AA guns : 6

75mm Mle1897 field guns : 24

105mm field guns : 12

+ 3 infantry/motorcycle battalions

3e DLM

Hotchkiss H35 : 22

Hotchkiss H39 : 129

Somua S35 : 88

armored cars : 40 (Panhard 178)

47mm SA37 L/53 AT guns : 8

25mm SA34/37 L/72 AT guns : 12

25mm AA guns : 6

75mm Mle1897 field guns : 24

105mm field guns : 12

+ 3 infantry/motorcycle battalions

TOTAL French cavalry corps

Hotchkiss H35 and H39 : 235

Somua S35 : 176

armored cars : 147 (including 80 Panhard 178 and 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1)

47mm SA37 L/53 AT guns : 16

25mm SA34/37 L/72 AT guns : 24

25mm AA guns : 12

75mm Mle1897 field guns : 48

105mm field guns : 24

+ 6 infantry/motorcycle battalions

CONCLUSION

France

• 411 tanks (including 176 Somua S35 and about 60 Hotchkiss with a 37mm L/33 SA38 gun)

• 147 armored cars

• 40 AT guns

• 12 AA guns

• 72 field guns

• 6 infantry/motorcycle battalions

Germany

• 674 tanks (including 132 Panzer III and Panzer IV)

• 112 armored cars

• 165 AT guns (including 27 8.8cm FlaK L/56)

• 72 AA guns

• 108 field guns (including 72 10.5cm leFH sometimes used in direct fire against the French tanks)

• 54 infantry guns

• 14 infantry/motorcycle battalions

The 3e DLM (general Langlois) will have to face directly 2 Panzerdivisionen : 3.PzD (general Stumpff) and 4.PzD (general Stever). The 2e DLM (general Bougrain) will be only partially implicated. Therefore the 674 German tanks including 132 Panzer III and Panzer IV will mainly be opposed to 239 French tanks including 88 Somua S35 tanks.

On 10th May 1940, the reconnaissance elements of the 8e RC (colonel Mario) of the 2e DLM the 12e RC (colonel Leyer) of the 3e DLM moves towards the Meuse River, Liège and Maastricht. The core of the cavalry corps is moving to the area of Hannut.

On 11th May, general Prioux choose to wait for the enemy on the Tirlemeont-Huy line, using the Petite Gette stream and the Méhaigne small river to anchor the defense. The north part behind the Petite Gette stream and Hannut is defended by the 3e DLM, which will have to face the main assault, and the south part behind the Méhaigne small river is defended by the 2e DLM. During the morning the Belgian army is retreating, exposing the flanks of the cavalry corps ; the actions of the different allies is not coordinated unlike the 136 German divisions under a same and efficient high command. The French reconnaissance patrols are in contact with the German armored elements between Maastricht and Liège.

The area of the 3e DLM is divided in 2 sectors organized in depth with infantry strongpoints in each town, village or farm hold by the 11e RDP (colonel des Revouy) supported by tank groups deployed on the rear, ready to counter-attack between the infantry positions.

The northern sector is defended by the 6e BLM (colonel des Loges) :

• 12e RC (40 Panhard 178 armored cars) whose elements are currently in reconnaissance patrols

• 11e RDP (2 infantry battalions with 44 Hotchkiss tanks)

The 2nd battalion of the 11e RDP (II/11e RDP,captain Brau) is deployed around Ophelissem and the 3rd battalion of the 11e RDP (III/11e RDP,squadron commander Kientz) is around Marilles and Orp.

The southern sector is defended by the 5e BLM (general de La Font) :

• 1e RC (43 Hotchkiss H39 and 44 Somua S35)

• 2e RC (43 Hotchkiss H39 and 44 Somua S35)

• 11e RDP (1 infantry battalion with 22 Hotchkiss tanks)

The first line around Hannut and Crehen is defended by the 1st battalion of the 11e RDP (I/11e RDP, capitaine Lafargue). The 2e RC (lieutenant-colonel Touzet du Vigier) has the task to protect this first line with 2 Somua S35 squadrons and 2 Hotchkiss H39 squadrons. The 1e RC (lieutenant-colonel de Vernejoul) is maintained in reserve in Jauche.

The 2e DLM has also organized an in-depth defense with the 3 infantry battalions and the 67 AMR33 / AMR35 ZT1 armored cars of the 1e RDP (colonel de Bellefon) and the tanks of the 13e RD (lieutenant-colonel Juin de Baisse) and of the 29e RD (colonel Baruteau).

12th May 1940

The reconnaissance elements of colonel Leyer delay the 4.PzD until 12th May at 9h00 before moving back to the positions of the 6e BLM. The 4.PzD attacks, strongly supported by the VIII. Fliegerkorps (general von Richtofen) and its 342 Ju87 "Stuka" dive bombers. The Pz.Rgt.35 (colonel Eberbach) supported by 1 infantry battalion is the first to attack the French troops. The Hannut area is attacked by Panzergruppe Eberbach. The I/11e RDP holds and strikes back despite heavy losses mainly due to the 2.0cm guns of the Panzer II with their high rate of fire. The German tanks reached the center of the town. A first counter-attack is launched by the 3rd squadron of the 2e RC (Hotchkiss tanks, captain Sainte-Marie Perrin) : 11 French tanks and 5 German tanks are destroyed. The 10 other Hotchkiss tanks are ordered to retreat. The inefficiency of the 37mm SA18 L/21 gun of 80% of the Hotchkiss tanks is demonstrated ; it is unable to destroy the Panzer III and Panzer IV at 100m.

In Crehen, the Somua S35 tanks (lieutenant Lotsisky) destroy 4 German tanks, 1 AT gun battery and several trucks. Next to Thisnes, despite heavy losses, the French troops stop the Germans and destroy the regimental command tank of colonel Eberbach (who will later be commander of the 4.PzD). The Somua S35 tanks launch a real charge against the enemy and stop the German advance in front of Crehen. Several German tanks are burning after the counter-attack of the Somua S35 tanks. At the end of the day, Crehen is evacuated by the French dragons portés who move back to Merdorp, Jandrenouille and Jandrain, on their second line.

A renewed German assault is launched between Crehen and Hannut at 20h00, after a strong artillery preparation. A French artillery preparation is followed by the counter-attack of 1 Somua S35 tank squadron (only 21 tanks) of the 2e RC led by captain de Beaufort. The Somua S35 tanks destroy meticulously every German tank and resist to the German guns. This attack inflicts heavy losses to the Germans who are forced to retreat. Many Somua S35 tanks come back with 20-40 2.0cm and 3.7cm hits without any damage.

The 4.PzD is also defeated more north on the Petite Gette stream, in front of Tirlemont. The German attempts to cross the Méhaigne river more south are defeated by the tanks of the 2e DLM which also supported the 3e DLM by firing on the tanks moving against the 3e DLM. During the rest of the night there are only artillery battles.

During the night, General Hoepner realizes the inefficiency of his light tanks against the French tanks. He orders to engage the Hotchkiss tanks but to avoid combat with the Somua S35 tank. The French 47mm L/32 SA35 gun is able to destroy every German tank at 800-1000m but the the 3.7cm KwK proved to be rather useless at standard range (300-400m) against the Somua S35. The Somua S35 tanks will have to be neutralized by the Panzer III, Panzer IV and AT guns at close range and by the 8.8cm FlaK or 10.5cm leFH in direct fire at long range.

13th May 1940

On 13th May, the 3.PzD joins the 4.PzD. Nevertheless, at dawn the French troops are attacking and not the German ones. 6 Somua S35 platoons of the 2e DLM (30 tanks), led by captain de Villèle, attack at 5h30 the southern flank of the 4.PzD. They slaughtered German tanks and their losses were very small and mainly due to the use of 8.8cm FlaK in AT role.

At 9h00, the Luftwaffe attacks massively Jauche, Merdorp and Jandrain. At 10h00, the German assault is launched. The German infantry clashes with the III/11e RDP and at 11h00 the tanks of the 3.PzD and 4.PzD attack concentrated on a front of less than 5 km wide. The 3.PzD towards Orp and the 4.PzD towards Jandrenouille. The French infantry strongpoints organized in hedgehogs are submerged, many Hotchkiss tanks are destroyed.

At 13h30, the 1e RC (colonel de Vernejoul) which was maintained in reserve in Jauche in engaged. The 2nd squadron of the 1e RC (21 Somua S35 tanks, captain Ameil) is launched in a north to south attack against the 4.PzD positions north of Jandrenouille. The Somua S35 tanks stop, hull-down, at 800m of the German positions. All the German tanks are crowded in a forest edge. The Somua S35 tanks open fire and slaughter systematically the German tanks at long range. At the same time, the Somua S35 squadron led by captain de Beaufort (2e RC) launches a south to north counter-attack against the other flank of the 4.PzD. The 4.PzD looses many burning tanks and cannot deploy as it was planned.

Elements of the 3.PzD are engaged to outflank the Somua S35 tanks of captain Ameil but on the way they encounter the 1st squadron (21 Somua S35, lieutenant Mazeran) of the 1e RC, perfectly embossed and engaging them on the flank.

About 50 German tanks are knocked out but the Somua S35 tanks have to abandon their position because of lack of ammunition. Only lieutenant Racine's platoon manages to retreat without losses. 29 hits of 2.0cm and 3.7cm shells are numbered on his tank but without serious damage. Only 16 out of the 42 Somua S35 tanks of the 1e RC are still completely operational on 13th May evening, all covered with 20-40 impacts, the others have to be repaired or had been abandoned/destroyed. Many German shells had been wasted against the French tanks without success at a too long range.

The 3.PzD is more lucky, most of the Somua S35 tanks being already engaged against the 4.PzD. General Stumpff commanding the 3.PzD, unlike the 4.PzD, doesn't try to reduce all the French infantry strongpoints but tries to infiltrate deeper. Nevertheless, several tanks remain stuck in the Petite Gette stream and several tanks are lost in front of the strongpoint of Marilles hold by the II/11e RDP.

Lieutenant-colonel du Vigier (2e RC) engages against the 3.PzD his last 4 platoons : 10 Hotchkiss and 10 Somua S35 tanks. Jandrin is encircled, Jauche is close to the same fate but Marilles can be evacuated by the infantry under the cover of the French tanks.

The 3e DLM is ordered to move back on new positions at 16h00 and the 2e DLM, far less engaged, at 17h00. The French 1st army is about 30 km behind but general Prioux has been ordered to delay the Germans until 14th May. The cavalry corps moves about 10 km back in the area of Perwez hold by the 4e GRDI (general Arlabosse), the reconnaissance group of the 15e DIM. The 4e GRDI includes motorcycle platoons but also 13 Laffly 50 AM and 12 Citroën-Kégresse P16 armored cars. There are no natural elements really useful to build a defense, only several dispersed and rather useless "Cointet" mobile AT obstacles.

During this time the Luftwaffe attacks all the French rears, on the frontline the French and German troops are too closely mixed. Fuel supply issues force the XVI.Panzerkorps to stop on the Jauche – Ramilles line. At 21h00, the 3e DLM is deployed on its new positions and the 2e DLM is deployed early on 14th May.

14th May 1940

North of the French cavalry corps, the British troops move back behind the Dyle River. South of the French troops the Belgian army retreats on Bruxelles. Both flanks of the cavalry corps are exposed.

During the morning the 3.PzD and 4.PzD attack strongly the center of the new French deployment, but they are defeated by the French artillery and perfectly embossed tanks. The 2e DLM and 3e DLM block the enemy until 15h00 when they start to move back behind the French 1st army around Gembloux. Mission accomplished for the cavalry corps of general Prioux.

Germans never attacked with less than a tank battalion (about 80 tanks including 10 Panzer III and 6 Panzer IV) against French units of the strength of s squadron (about 20 tanks). The main reason is a better tactical regulation mainly due to more radio sets on the German side. French officers latter admitted that they were surprised by the German tank concentration.

The French tanks due to their 1-man turret were probably a bit more intricate to use and were more often embossed in a rather static position, firing on the German tanks at medium/long range, than engaged in a pure melee-like combat. Contrary to the 1e DLM and 2e DLM who had well trained crews, the 3e DLM (except some officers from the other DLMs) had only reservists who did their military service on horse and some of them discovered their tank a short time before being engaged. They had fired a few shells at Suippes and now, they were facing a flood of German panzers ! (It is still amazing that they did not run away at this glance). To worsen the situation, most of the Somua of the 3e DLM went to combat with 2 crew members instead of 3, many tankers were in permission at the beginning of the combats and therefore nobody was there to help the commander to reload. In these tanks the Somua had really a 1-man turret instead of a 1 ½ one. This can explain why *one* German source (even not specified) is quoted in Gunsburg's article "battle of the Belgian plain" about the bad gunnery skills of the French tankers. The 3e DLM in Hannut which had a very high proportion of reservists sustained heavy losses while the more experienced crews of the 2e DLM (also less engaged) in the same battle had only light losses. Nevertheless the 3e DLM reservists inflicted significant losses to the elite of the Panzerwaffe. Each counter-attack made by a small formation of Somua S35 tanks was seen as critical by the Germans. For this division, there was of course the absence of tracer shells and the fact that grossly all the Hotchkiss tanks of the 3e DLM had 37mm SA18 L/21 guns with only poor anti-tank efficiency. It is a miracle that they could fight so well against the elite Panzerwaffe in Hannut. They had better tanks (considering the armor and the armament of the Somua S35 tanks) than most of the German crews but mostly with crews lacking training.

To actually hit a Panzer with the 1-man turret would prove to be difficult for the 3e DLM : German tanks were fast, training insufficient and tracer shells absent in the tanks ... But on the German side, the situation was not very good as well : apart from the 7.5cm L/24 gun of the Panzer IV, no German shell could pierce the Somua S35 and the Hotchkiss H39 at a comfortable range, they had to move to close range. German tankers went to duel the French Somua S35 tanks at long range (around 800 to 1000m) with both sides using too many rounds for nothing but the 47mm L/32 SA35 gun of the Somua S35 was able to destroy the German tanks at this range unlike the German ones. The 4x gunsight of the Somua tanks was also adapted for such long range targeting. Even counterattacks led by 10 Somua S35 tanks were viewed as critical on the German side … The French would trade tanks for time. During the battle, the advancing German tanks were very often attacked on the flanks and the rear by the French tanks. The French tactics are therefore probably not that bad as often depicted.

All along the battle, the French troops launched many counter-attacks despite being massively attacked by the Luftwaffe. The German colonel Neuman wrote : "the admirable tenacity of the French troops, which did not loose an inch of ground, despite heavy losses left the battle indecisive. General Hoepner didn't know the real strength of its opponent and the location of the core of the enemy armored forces."

The losses are heavy on both sides. The French lost 105 tanks (75 Hotchkiss H35/H39 and 30 Somua S35 tanks) and the Germans about 164 tanks, mainly due to the action of the Somua S35 tanks (despite being often manned by crews lacking experience) but also several because of the Hotchkiss tanks or because of the infantry strongpoints including AT guns and AT mines. Concerning the French tank losses a good part was probably destroyed by the Luftwaffe and not at all by German tanks. A high proportion of the 75 Hotchkiss tanks was destroyed by enemy fire. A significant number of the 30 lost Somua S35 tanks is due to drivers' mistakes or mechanical breakdowns. Noteworthy here is nevertheless the 100% better survival rate of the more powerful Somua S35 tank compared to the Hotchkiss H39. Concerning the French infantry, the 11e RDP is reduced to 1 operational battalion.

In tank battles, the one who hold the ground in the end has a tremendous advantage. Belgian civilians still remember that after the battle, German field workshops would work during the night to repair some of the tanks that were knocked out during the battle.

3 officers will be important during the next part of the war : colonel Leyer, future commander of the 4e DLM in June 1940, will be in 1942 in North-Africa one of the main actors of the creation of the French armored arm. Colonel Touzet du Vigier and colonel de Vernejoul will both command an armoured division for the liberation of France.

1.2 The battle of Gembloux (14th-15th May 1940)

The resistance of the cavalry corps allowed the deployment of the 1e DM (general Mellier) and the 15e DIM (general Juin) around Gembloux, on a front of 12 km. Note that during this battle each division had to defend a 5-7 km front as intended for a French infantry division instead of 20-30 km for the infantry divisions around Sedan. The tanks of the cavalry corps were still involved on 14th May and the artillery of the cavalry corps reinforced the French units at Gembloux. In Gembloux, the French infantry/artillery couple will face with success the German Panzer/Luftwaffe couple of the Blitzkrieg.

The Gembloux gap is a wide rural plain with numerous towns, big farms and several woods. In the center there is Gembloux, a little industrial city of 500 habitants. It is an important communication nest with 2 important roads and 2 important railroads. The Bruxelles-Namur railroad which is grossly perpendicular to the axis of the German attack is used as main defensive line as well as the town of Ernage and the city of Gembloux. The terrain is nevertheless favorable to a tank attack and the skies are Luftwaffe has the air superiority. The French weakness was in the air. The French 1st army had only the remains of one group of 26 fighters, one reconnaissance group and the observation squadrons of the corps as well as 3 modern spotter planes for each DLM against the hundreds of bombers and fighters of the Germans.

The 1e DM and the 15e DIM have travelled 150 km before reaching Gembloux. They have complete men strength and are well equipped with AT guns and a strong field artillery. The French troops are nevertheless lacking AA guns to face the German air force, despite the fact that the 1e DM and 15e DIM are among the divisions reinforced with 20mm Oerlikon AA guns, respectively with 6 and 12 AA guns. Some French 75mm Mle1897 field guns were also firing time-fuzed shells in the air to simulate an AA barrage against the German aircrafts, to compensate the lack of AA means. These 2 divisions are supported by the 13e BCC (45 Hotchkiss H35) and the 35e BCC (45 Renault R35). Morale in the units of the French 1st army was high, like in the cavalry corps, based on the soldiers' confidence in their equipment and their leaders. During the battla of Gembloux, general Mellier and general Juin didn't hesitate to join the French first lines to support the morale of their troops.

Hoepner's XVI. Panzerkorps (3.PzD and 4.PzD) will led the attack against Gembloux. In addition, Hoepner disposed of the 20. ID (mot) and 35. ID during the battle of Gembloux : 4 German divisions against 2 French ones.

To Hoepner's right, the IV. Korps (general Schwedler) had the 31. ID, the 7.ID and the 18.ID, from north to south. It is important to remember that these divisions with their thousands of horses moved primarily by muscles power unlike the Panzerkorps. The Germans counted above all on their Luftwaffe to provide fire superiority over the French troops.

14th May 1940

At 14h00, after a strong artillery and air preparation, the German tanks and infantry assault the French troops. Numerous tanks are hit by the French AT guns. The AT guns emplacements are well chosen, camouflaged and AT mines have been laid in front of them. There are fake positions to attract the Germans and the 25mm SA34/37 L/72 AT gun is very difficult to spot because of its flash hider. Both French and German testimonies indicate the difficulty to spot them. German brigade general Kühne noted : "The accuracy of the 25mm SA34/37 is very good. The front hull armor of the Panzer III has been easily penetrated by the excellent French 25mm SA34/37 gun. Trials with booty guns proved that the French 25mm AT gun is superior to the German 3.7cm PaK. This 25mm AT gun is very hard to spot because the flash is invisible." The French AT gunner Louis Brindejonc (2e RTM = 2e Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains, of the 1e DM) illustrates himself by destroying 7 German tanks including one command tank of a German colonel. On its side, the Ftrench 47mm SA37 L/53 is the best AT gun on the battlefield in 1940, after the 8.8cm FlaK used in AT role. It exceeded widely the German 3.7cm PaK in terms of penetration and was also superior to the Czech made 4.7cm AT gun.

General Juin, commander of the 15e DIM (who will led the 120,000 soldiers of the French expeditionary corps in Italy in 1943-1944) delays the use of its artillery to avoid to hit the last elements of the 2e DLM engaged in delaying combats in front of his positions. Once these tanks safe, all the artillery is engaged massively against the German tank concentrations. In a few minutes, 6 batteries (24 guns) of the 1st artillery regiment fired 432 75mm shells on the Buis woods used a command post by the 3.PzD thanks to the high rate of fire of the 75mm Mle1897 field guns. General Stever, commander of the 4.PzD, is wounded by an artillery fire in his HQ. The Germans, using radio actively and without coding the transmission, are listened too by the French troops who are rapidly localizing several command centers. At the same moment general Breith, commander of a German tank brigade, is wounded in his command tank which is hit by a French 47mm AT gun.

In Gembloux, the French artillery proved to be very efficient and very precise, stopping many German assaults, firing on each German concentration, destroying many tanks and silencing the German artillery by counter-battery fires. Perfectly camouflaged, the batteries remained often undiscovered despite the German spotting planes. The German artillery and the Luftwaffe were unable to neutralize the French artillery. The Germans were often too self-confident and caught on their positions by French counter-battery fire. The German 10.5cm leFH fired a heavier shell at longer range than the 75mm Mle1897 but could never match the high rate of fire of the French light field gun. The French divisions had also 105mm guns and the support of army artillery units with 155mm guns.

The French artillery was very efficient in 1940 and it seems to have been often superior to the German artillery : quick reacting, with a high rate of fire and very accurate. On the German side, the logistics and sometimes the mobility were probably better organized but they often went in combat with insufficient ammunition supplies. In Gembloux the French infantry/artillery couple is opposed to the German tanks/aviation couple and will prove to be successful. Strong artillery will also show to be the king of the battle during the second part of World War 2.

In the area of the 1e DM, the action of the 64th artillery regiment results in the same effect. The 5. Panzerbrigade is forced to withdraw under dense and very precise artillery fire and to go under cover. During the battle of Gembloux, about 50 German tanks are destroyed by the French artillery including 32 German tanks from the Pz.Rgt.35 (colonel Eberbach) : 9 PzI, 9 PzII, 6 PzIII and 8 PzIV. With about 30 tanks lost in Hannut against the French tanks, this regiment will loose grossly 50% of its tank strength during these days.

Due to the events in the area of Sedan the 2e DLM and 3e DLM of the cavalry corps are rapidly removed from the Gemboux area and sent south to face new threats.

15th May 1940

The German attack on 15th May faces the same fierce resistance. The main German effort is conducted against the 1e DM where the terrain is more in favour of the use of tanks. German tanks attacking the 4e RI (infantry regiment) of the 15e DIM near Beuzet are destroyed by 25mm and 47mm AT guns.

Between Gembloux and Perbais the battle lasts from daybreak to the night with fierce combats around Ernage. The Germans manage to take two towns (Ernage and Perbais) but they don't manage to pierce the French lines. From the 1st battalion of the 7e RTM (Régiment de Tirailleurs Marocains) in Ernage, 2 companies are totally destroyed. From the 700 men of the battalion only 74 men are still alive on 16th May.

The 13e BCC (45 Hotchkiss H35 tanks) and the 35e BCC (45 Renault R35 tanks) are used to launch counter-attacks on the Gembloux-Ernage railroad, forcing the Germans to retreat. The 7e RTM in a perfect illustration of the famous "furia francese" launched a bayonet charge against astonished German troops. The French front didn't collapse despite all the German supports and heavy assaults. During 2 days, the Luftwaffe tried without success to neutralize the French artillery. It is a Pyrrhic tactical/operational victory for the French troops but the German made a breakthrough in Sedan during the same time.

North of the Gembloux gap, on the Dyle River there is also a battle. On 15th May Louvain is captured by the Germans to the BEF but a vigorous British counter-attack enables to take the city back.

In the area of Ottiginies, south of Wavre, the bridge could not be blown away. The French 2e DINA (general Dame) is deployed on the railroad on the western bank of the Dyle River. The division has to stop repeated assault of the 18.ID supported by the Luftwaffe. The main German effort is against Ottignies but is each time defeated by a very dense and precise French artillery fire. During all the morning the German assaults are stopped thanks to the artillery. The main attack is shifted from Ottignies to Limal to try to cut the French division in 2. Once again a very bloody and well adjusted artillery fire slaughters the German troops. Thanks to a strong discipline and courage, the German soldiers manage nevertheless to cross the Dyle River but the German advance is cancelled due to the heavy losses.

1.3 Conclusion after the battles of Hannut-Gembloux (12th-15th May 1940)

During 2 days the 3e DLM (and the 2e DLM) managed to stop 2 Panzerdivisionen and to inflict them heavy losses in Hannut. It is an incontestable tactical/operational success. The single mission of general Prioux was to resist enough to delay the German advance during 2 days. This mission was completely fulfilled. Of course, today we know that the German attack in Belgium had the aim to attract the allied troops in a trap but the XVI. Panzerkorps was not simulating its combats and the losses are real. According to Gunsburg, Hoepner had actually the order to pierce the French line in Gembloux, in which he failed. The 2 Panzerdivision supported by 2 infantry divisions were again blocked in Gembloux, by 2 French infantry divisions this time. On the overall strategic level of course the allies failed in May 1940 but Hannut and Gembloux are French undisputable tactical successes over the German army. Despite a numeric superiority and heavy aerial support, the advantage of the radio sets in their faster tanks etc. the Germans failed in face of the French cavalry corps and the 1st army which were devoid of aerial support.

After Hannut and Gembloux the losses are heavy on both sides. The I/2e RTM is reduced to 74 men out of 700 men initially. On the German side the 12th rifle regiment (4.PzD) has lost 30% of its officers. The 1st battalion of this regiment is left with 4 officers and 31 men operational from an initial complement that should have exceeded 700 men. The 3rd rifle regiment (3.PzD) has lost 15 officers and 184 men.

In Hannut some 164 German tanks were knocked out and in Gembloux the French artillery alone destroyed about 50 German tanks, including 32 in the Pz.Rgt.35. On 15th May, the 4.PzD had only 137 operational available tanks left (including only 4 Panzer IV) from its 331 tanks. So there were 194 tanks damaged, under recovery/repair or destroyed after the battles of Hannut and Gembloux. Only 41 % operational tanks.

On 16th May :

• the 4.PzD had about 55% operational tanks = 182 available tanks. Therefore 45 extra operational tanks than on 15th May. But 149 tanks remained unavailable, this number is including destroyed tanks and tanks in the repair workshops.

• the 3.PzD had 75% operational tanks. Therefore about 85 tanks are still destroyed or in the repair workshops one day after the battles.

On 16th May 1940, one day after the battles, 234 tanks (35% of the tanks) were not operational anymore, including an unknown number of definitively destroyed tanks. General Hoepner estimated that he was unable to continue efficiently the combats the next day. The Germans repaired probably some more of their tanks during the later days or weeks while the French could not recover the 105 tanks they had left in Hannut.

The assault of 2 Panzerdivisionen supported by 2 infantry divisions have been stopped on an improvised line by 2 French infantry divisions. The French battles of Hannut and Gembloux are a French success without future. On 15th May evening, the French 1st army, although undefeated, is ordered to move back due to the collapse of the 9th army on the Meuse in the area of Sedan on 13th May. This situation endangers greatly the right flank of the 1st army. The French troops will move back and deploy between Arras, Valenciennes and Tournai.

Some historians have credited the Wehrmacht with an unusual capacity for professional self-criticism, a key to victory. But Gembloux was a case where the German high command refused to recognize the lesson of the limitations of mechanized attack against a conventional defense. The 6th army was to relearn that lesson in the hardest way at Stalingrad.

General von Bechtolsheim and captain von Jungenfeld judged the French deplyment in Hannut as very linear and the French units as poorly mobile. This was repeated by Henrich Bücheler, Hermann Zimmerman and B.H. Liddel Hart in 1949 but is rather in opposition with the memories of general Prioux and the books of Genotte and Sarton.

Indeed, the deployment of the cavalry corps is rather linear, because it is a defensive deployment and because it is clearly on a north to south axis. But it is for sure an in-depth organization with infantry strongpoints supported by tank squadrons ready to counter-attack between the infantry hedgehogs ; and a whole tank regiment in reserve.

It seems indeed poorly mobile because the 2e DLM could have been far much engaged against the XVI. Panzerkorps instead of staying south of the 3e DLM. But, one has to be coherent and remember the context. For the French units this German attack was the main one, not a trap as we know it today. They knew that the German had 8 extra Panzerdivisionen available somewhere. They did not know how many more Panzerdivisionen were to be engaged in that battle. The 2e DLM could have been surprised on its flanks by 1 extra Panzerdivision.

The 3e DLM accomplished the mission completely and has delayed the 2 German armored divisions for required time. It inflicted heavy losses since 164 German tanks were knocked out.

Captain Jugenfeld judged probably not the mobility of the French tanks by themselves (although for sure the German tanks are faster) but the mobility of the French tank units. The French tanks launched many counter-attacks but indeed they also fought several times in rather static positions. They tried to used hull down emplacements at medium/long range to engage more numerous German tanks and meticulously fired at them from a safe position. They had not necessarily the need to move or they would probably have lost their advantage. They took advantage of the terrain to fulfil their mission. If engaged all the time in a pure mobile and melee-style combat, without sufficient radio sets and 1-man turrets, against more numerous enemy tanks, they would probably have lost more than 105 tanks.

The good armor and the powerful 47mm L/32 SA35 of the Somua S35 tank coupled to a 4x gunsight made it able to engage safely German tanks at 800-1000m. At this range it was grossly impossible for a German tank to destroy the Somua S35. The Somua S35 proved capable of continue to fight after having received up to about 40 German hits but every German tanks were easily penetrated by the 47mm SA35 gun. Firing on the German tanks from a well chosen position was a better solution for the French tankers than to be engaged in a melee at close range with a 1-man turret, especially for the inexperienced 3e DLM and especially because as explained most of the Somua S35 tanks of this units had only 2 crew members instead of 3. Captain von Jugenfeld probably judged the French tank units with his views of German tankers, for who the main advantages are speed and tactical regulation thanks to the radio. The French tanks were used in an other way to exploit their own advantages. They proved to be rather successful according to the German losses, and unlike the German side without heavy air support or the use of powerful 8.8cm FlaK in AT role.

The French deployment was aimed on defense and counter-attacks and the German one was focused on the offensive, it was not a complete meeting engagement.

2. THE 1e DLM IN THE NETHERLANDS

While the 2e DLM and 3e DLM are engaged in Belgium with the 1st army, the 1e DLM (general Picard) has to fulfil a similar mission in the Netherlands for the 7th army. The French 7th army has to deploy between Breda and Turnhout but this line was rather far away from the starting line in France. The 1e DLM was to move first, to provide intelligence and reconnaissance for the 7th army and to establish contacts with the Belgian and Dutch armies. Its mission was then to delay the German troops long enough to allow the 25e DIM (general Molinié) and the 9e DIM (general Didelet) to occupy the position on the Marck River.

The 1e DLM will have to face the XVIII. Armee (general von Kuchler) including the 9.PzD (general Hubrig) and the 1. Kavallerie Division. The 9.PzD has to cross the Meuse River, to reach Tirlburg and to take Breda. It will then be split in two groups :

• a first group reinforced by the SS Verfügung (mot) division

• a second group reinforced by the SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH) regiment and 2 airborne troops battalions of the VII. Fliegerdivision with the mission to take Rotterdam

The Dutch troops concentrated their 25 armored cars, strong infantry and AA elements around their airfields. They inflicted significant losses to the airborne German operation. The Luftwaffe lost about 300 aircrafts in the Netherlands due to the allied air forces but also because some 220 Junkers Ju52 transport planes were destroyed, mainly on the ground by artillery fire.

10th May 1940

The 1e DLM will be supported by 2 reconnaissance groups :

• one with the 2e GRCA and the 5e GRDI under command of lieutenant-colonel Lestoquoi, which will operate with the 1e DLM

• one with the 2e GRDI, 12e GRDI and 27e GRDI under command of colonel Beauchesne, which will operate independently

Nevertheless this reconnaissance units are reduced, only the motorized elements are used, the horse mounted elements being to slow. All these reconnaissance groups include motorcycle platoons. The 2e GRDI is the reconnaissance group of the 9e DIM and includes also 13 Panhard 178 armored cars and 13 Hotchkiss H39 tanks. The 5e GRDI is the reconnaissance group of the 25e DIM and includes 13 Panhard 178 armored cars and 13 Hotchkiss H35 tanks.

The reconnaissance regiment of the 1e DLM is the 6e RC (Régiment de Cuirassiers), commanded by colonel Dario, with about 40 Panhard 178 armored cars. It is reinforced by the Lestoquoi group (2e GRCA and 5e GRDI). Together, they cross the Belgian border at 10h30 and reach the Albert canal east of Anvers during afternoon. They move beyond Turnhout during the night. The tanks of the 1e DLM arrive by train around Oosmalle, 15 km west of Turnhout.

11th May 1940

At 4h15, the first French troops are landing on the Walcheren and Zuid Beveland islands (Zeeland islands) during operation F (F as Flessingue) : the 224e RI (infantry regiment) of the 68e DI, supported by 1 group (12 75mm Mle1897 field guns) of the 89e RA. The transport ships are escorted by 7 torpedo ships.

The reconnaissance elements reach Breda, Tilburg and Eindhoven. 400 German paratroops held the Moerdjik bridge next to Breda. They have occupied the previously Dutch fortifications and are equipped with MGs, mortars AT rifles and AT guns. 1 Panhard 178 platoon (5 armored cars) and 2 motorcycle platoons are ordered to prevent the Germans to move towards Breda which is the final objective of the 1e DLM. They block the Germans with the help of Dutch infantry units.

Motorized German elements are moving north-east of Tilburg and skirmish with French advanced elements. One German tank is destroyed. Around 21h00, detachment Dudognon (Panhard 178 armored cars from the 6e RC) defend the Moergestel bridge over the Reussel River. At 23h00, 3 German armored cars accompanied by 3 side-cars and a truck full of troops appear. Maréchal-des-logis (NCO rank) Gaulthier recalls : "the leading 2 German armored cars do not see me and head for the Panhard 178 "La Varende". The first German armored car crushes 2 of our side-cars and barely dodges the "La Varende" (tearing off a mudguard on the way) and crashes into a cement pole. The second German armored car (an 8-wheeled Sd.Kfz.231 probably) stops to my left and opens fire. Meanwhile the third German armored car turns out in front of me on the bridge. I open fire with my 25mm SA35 gun and I hit it square on. The German armored cars rolls for several extra meters before stopping to my right. At the same time, the explosive charges placed under the bridge explode as the German truck is on the bridge. I was in the turret so the deflagration stunned me and I fell inside. When I recovered and went back to the hatch I saw the second German armored car still firing on my left. I pivoted the turret and fired point blank with both the main gun and MG (with AP bullets). It quickly ceased firing. The whole action only lasted a quarter of an hour. The enemy lost around 20 dead and drowned. The 6e Cuirrasiers detachment has captured 4 men including 2 wounded. The three German armored cars whose motors cannot be started again are scuttled as well as a German side-car. Two more intact BMW side-cars will replace the 2 that were crushed and we used them up to Dunkirk." The French troops had only a few lightly wounded men.

The 2e GRCA deploys in Breda and the 5e GRDI is in Tilburg after the loss of 1 armored car in an ambush. The infantry of the 1e DLM is deployed on the Reussel River between Tilburg and Turnhout, north-west of the Belgian 18th infantry division. The deployment would be satisfactory but the Belgian and Dutch troops retreat rapidly and the 1e DLM is suddenly alone to face the German troops. The Belgian army abandoned a triangle formed by 3 canals (Turnhout, Campines and Albert). The right flank is completely unprotected and German troops are infiltrating. Tilburg, Breda, Turnhout and Oostmalle are bombed by the Luftwaffe.

12th May 1940

3. THE FRENCH CAVALRY CORPS AFTER THE 15th MAY

After the combats in Belgium and in the Netherlands, general Prioux wants to concentrate the 1e, 2e and 3e DLM in the cavalry corps. Nevertheless it seems not possible, all the time the tank brigades are being ordered by the army corps to support different infantry units. Prioux cannot control the fate of his tanks, they are dispersed and cannot be grouped as wished. On 26th May general Prioux takes command of the 1st army and is replaced by general de La Font. After Dunkirk, the tank crews, who are the French troops evacuated in priority reconstitute the cavalry corps but it is only the shadow of the previous one.

3.1 The grouping of the DLMs in the north (16th-20th May 1940)

On 16th May the 3 DLMs move back to France. The 1e DLM is deployed south of Valenciennes and Cambrai, attached to the 9th army. The Somua S35 tanks are deployed at Quesnoy and will soon meet German mechanized elements reinforced by AT guns during short but violent engagements. Rear guard elements of the French 9th army are engaged in the forest of Mormal, east of Quesnoy. The 7.PzD (general Rommel) have trapped them in the woods and goes on with its advance, letting the 5.PzD (general von Hartlieb) reduce them.

On 17th May, the 1e DLM is ordered to block the German tanks. There is also a fierce battle in and around the Mormal forest. The 1e DLM meets the 5.PzD and elements of the 7.PzD. The 1e DLM is far from having all its units but the counter-attack starts at 18h30 from Quesnoy towards Landrecies. The tanks of the 4e RC (colonel Poupel) and the 18e RD (colonel Pinon) are incomplete, inferior in number and forced to disperse to control the assigned area. Nevertheless the morale and the determination are high. During the counter-attack many Hotchkiss tanks are destroyed by 10.5cm filed guns used in AT role. The French counter-attack will significantly delay the 5.PzD.

On 17th May 1940, the platoon of lieutenant André De Conigliano from the 3rd Squadron of the 4e RC meets elements of the the 4e RDP (Régiment de Dragons Portés - infantry) in Englefontaine (also on the map) and at 18h00 the platoon received the order to establish a bridgehead at Landrecies. Arriving next to a level/grade crossing in Landrecies the Somua S35 of lieutnant De Conigliano is under intense fire from German AT weapons ambushed at point blank range. His tank is knocked out. The driver, brigadier-chef Fresnais, is killed and the lieutenant is killed too only the radio/loader is rescued. The 4 other tanks of the platoon, under the command of maréchal des logis-chef Léger, break the engagement around 19h15 and pull back towards Englefontaine. They establish a defensive position on the Englefontaine-Landrecies road.

On 18th May, 12 Somua S35 tanks of the squadron of captain De Segonzac from the 4e RC are holding the town of Jolimetz along with one company of Moroccan tirailleurs in support. During all the day they faced half of the 5.PzD (about 120 tanks and massive infantry, field artillery, AT guns and aviation support) on the move in this area. 1 Somua S35 tank (Maréchal des logis Enfroy) is damaged during a reconnaissance and sent back to Quesnoy. Only 11 French tanks are then controlling the town. The German attack is launched and after a few losses the Germans sent preferentially the heavier Panzer IVs in the town itself. At the end of the day the town was completely surrounded. In 10 vs 1 odd, the French have lost 10 tanks (destroyed or abandoned) and the Germans 26 tanks, mostly Panzer IVs. That is a perfect example of what well-trained French crews were able to do.

On 19th May, the 1e DLM is again under command of the cavalry corps.

On 20th May, the 5e DINA (general Agliany) supported by the 1e DLM and the 39e BCC (45 Renault R35 tanks) attack the German 8.ID, 20.ID (mot), 4.PzD and 5.PzD. The combats last all the day long and on the evening several French troops are trapped in the Mormal forest after having sustained heavy losses.

On 21st May, the French move back to Englefontaine. At 8h00 one battalion of the 24e RTT (Régiment de Tirailleurs Tunisiens) of the 5e DINA, trapped in the forest, launches a bayonet charge under German MG and artillery fire to break the encirclement. At 12h00 300 men of the battalion are KIA and only around 100 men manage to pierce the German lines. The 39e BCC has lost all its 45 tanks and the 18e RD of the 1e DLM has only a few operational tanks.

The 2e DLM and 3e DLM on their side covered the retreat of the French 1st army from 16th May to 19th May. On 18th May, they launched several violent but limited counter-attacks in the area of Douai.

3.2 Difficult battles in the Flanders and the road to Dunkirk (21th-29th May 1940)

On 21st May there is an allied counter-attack at Arras. The British brigade (general Martell) leading the main attack on the Arras-Bapaume on 15h00 consists in :

Right column :

• 7th Royal Tank Regiment (23 Matilda I and 9 Matilda II tanks)

• 8th battalion, the Durham Light Infantry

• 365th battery, 92nd regiment, Royal Field Artillery (12 25 Pdr howitzers)

• 260th battery, 65th anti-tank regiment (12 2 Pdr AT guns)

• One platoon equipped with 3 French 25mm AT guns

• One motorcycle platoon from 4th Northumbrian fusiliers

Left column :

• 4th Royal Tank Regiment (37 Matilda I and 7 Matilda II tanks)

• 6th battalion, the Durham Light Infantry

• 368th battery, 92nd regiment, Royal Field Artillery (12 25 Pdr howitzers)

• 260th battery, 52nd anti-tank regiment (12 2 Pdr AT guns)

• One platoon equipped with 3 French 25mm AT guns

• One motorcycle platoon from 4th Northumbrian fusiliers

• General Martel and is headquarter staff

That makes a total concerning the equipments of :

• 60 Matilda I light tanks

• 16 Matilda II heavy tanks

• 21 armored cars

• 24 25 Pdr howitzers

• 24 2 Pdr AT guns

• 6 French 25mm AT guns

The British troops faced mainly the 7.PzD and the SS Totenkopf (mot) division, the 5.PzD was arriving from the east but too late to take part to the battle. The Matilda II heavy tank spread some panic in the German ranks, mainly in the SS Totenkopf positions where several troops disbanded, without sufficient mean to destroy the Matilda II. But the 8.8cm Flak and the use of artillery in direct fire rapidly solved the problem.

The French troops began their attack later, covering the western flank of the British attack and later the British retreat. They faced the and faced the SS Totenkopf (mot) division and the Pz.Rgt.25 from the 7.PzD. The French forces were composed of elements from the 3e DLM but in fact mainly of the 13e BCC (45 Hotchkiss H35 tanks at full strength). The French had a total of about 60 tanks in this battle, therefore probably about 15 Hotchkiss H39 and Somua S35 tanks from the 3e DLM itself. They were soon confronted to direct 10.5cm artillery and Flak fire as well as PaK and tanks. They were even fired at by British AT gunners. The French tanks destroyed at least 3 Panzer IV and 6 Pz38(t) from the Pz.Rgt.25 while covering the British retreat. There is no precise data concerning the French losses but after the whole battle the 13e BCC had lost about 10 tanks and the 3e DLM itself lost also probably about 10 tanks. The 11e RDP (Régiment de Dragons Portés) had only light losses.

The British lost 62% of the tanks (47 tanks) before retreating and had about 50% losses in the infantry. 75% of the reconnaissance vehicles (16 from 21), mainly from the Northumbrian regiment were also lost.

Concerning the whole German losses, the 7.PzD lost 89 KIAs, 116 WIAs and 173 MIAs mostly POWs as well as about 20 tanks and many AT guns and various vehicles. The SS Totenkopf (mot) lost about 100 KIAs and 200 POWs. The advance of the 7.PzD is stopped for the rest of day, therefore only for several hours.

Elements of the SS Totenkopf (mot) division are facing a British unit defending a bridge on the Scarpe River in the town of Aubigny-en-Artois (15 km west of Arras). In reprisal for this resistance, 98 people from the town are executed by the Germans. The officer in charge, Obersturmbahn Fritz Kuchenlein will be hung on 28th January 1949 for his warcrimes.

The attack started on 15h00 and on the evening it is rather a tactical failure after only 3 km of progression. After the surprise effect, the attack is defeated by the 8.8cm FlaK, the Luftwaffe and counter-attacking German tanks. It illustrates also the inter-allied communications issues because it was a British initiative. The west cover assured by the French tanks went deeper towards Amiens but it was a very limited and secondary action. These troops nevertheless covered the British retreat and inflicted losses to the German tanks.

The counter-attack at Arras by itself is secondary regarding the general situation. It blocked indeed the 7.PzD during a few hours but it is very localized and limited in strength. The core of the German troops went on with their movements towards the northern harbors regardless of the battle that was fought.

On 22nd May, the 25e DIM supported by the 38e BCC (45 Hotchkiss H35 tanks at full strength) drives the German 32.ID from the field near Cambrai on the Escaut River, east of Arras. The French breakthrough is important and the Germans engage massive air support to stop it. 18 Dewoitine D520 fighters from GC 2/3 in patrol in the area intercept a Stuka group and 11 Ju87 dive bombers are shot down. But, the French attack is stopped by the intensity of the bombings.

The same day, general Prioux decides to regroup the cavalry corps in the Area of Arras. The I/4e RDP supported byt the 18e RD (1e DLM) leads a brilliant counter-attack which allows to take Mont-Saint-Eloi (see the map). During this attack, the 2e DLM and 3e DLM covered the flanks of the attack.

On 23rd May, the 158e RI (colonel Pucinelli) launches a bayonet charge, between Mons and Valenciennes, against the German 269.ID and takes Thulin despite the numeric superiority of the Germans. Many German soldiers are captured during the assault. Thulin is then shelled by the heavy German artillery. The French troops entrenched in Thulin are finally submerged, colonel Pucinelli is WIA and captured. The last French troops surrender only after having used all their ammunition.

On the same day, the 7.PzD outflanks Arras by the west and the 5.PzD tires to progress by the east after having reduced several infantry resistances.

General Prioux has deployed the 1e DLM east of Arras. The division is strongly and frequently attacked by the Luftwaffe. One Stuka makes a lucky hit on the tank of colonel Pinon, commander of the 18e RD. The colonel is heavily wounded, the two other crew members (captain Beaussant and the driver) are dead.

The 3e DLM tries to lengthen the position of the 1e DLM to the north, up to Notre Dame de Lorette. But, west of Arras, the 7.PzD turns frankly to the east and heavy combats take place south of Béthune. The 3e DLM retreats towards Lens. The Germans capture again Mont-Saint-Eloi to the 1e DLM, which moves north of Arras.

The 2.PzD reaches Boulogne, the 1.PzD reaches Calais, the 6.PzD is near Saint-Omer and the 7.PzD is in the suburbs of Béthune. The allied units in the north are completely encircled.

On 24th May, the salient of Arras is evacuated and a new frontline is established on the canals between Arleux and Béthune. The 3 DLMs will be replaced by infantry units.

On 25th May, the whole cavalry corps (1e, 2e and 3e DLM) has only 75 operational tanks left out of the 585 initial ones. General Prioux is replaced by general Langlois and takes command of the French 1st army.

From 26th to 28th May, the remaining tanks of the cavalry corps led several violent but limited actions, whose victims are mainly from the 5.PzD. Platoon strong tank groups at the best are also used around Watten and Bollezeele in the battle of the Aa canal from 25th to 27th May against the "Grossdeutschland" regiment, the SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler (LAH) regiment, the 20.ID (mot) division and the 6.PzD.

On 29th May, the cavalry corps retreats to Dunkirk. The remaining tanks are first grouped at Coudekerque and fight until the end under the command of squadron commander Marchal. Many times their intervention even in small numbers allowed to defeat German attacks on the pocket and to delay the fate of the trapped troops. The last Somua S35 tanks are out of fuel and scuttled.

Dunkirk and the evacuation of the BEF would probably not have been possible without the limited success of the French troops especially the cavalry corps in Belgium and later which delayed the Germans enough and without the stiff French resistance around Lille which blocked 7 German divisions (from 28th to 31st May about 40,000 French troops commanded by general Molinié - remnants from various units - held about 800 German tanks and 110,000 soldiers from the 4.PzD, 5.PzD, 7.PzD, 7.ID, 217.ID, 253.ID and 267.ID. They fought encircled until all their ammunition was used and led several counter-attacks, the commander of 253.ID, general Kühne, was even captured. The Germans let the defenders march in ranks in the street without their weapons after the battles to render them the honors and salute their fierce resistance. Even Churchill in his memories recognized the role of the troops in Lille. Even Churchill in his memories recognized the role of the troops in Lille. The ground defense of the pocket of Dunkirk itself was mostly in French hands while British had the primary order to evacuate. This resistance played a role in the success of the evacuation but generally people think that French troops did nothing there. The British historian Julian Jackson for example recognized partly the role of the French troops. If on the ground the defense was mostly French, in the skies over Dunkirk the allied aircrafts were mostly from the RAF but several French fighters took part to the battle. Nevertheless most of the French air force was engaged more south. For the evacuation itself, the Royal Navy was not alone since French ships participated also to the evacuation. Nevertheless in many Anglo-american documents the French troops are simply ignored.

13 French, 13 Belgian and 9 British divisions are lost in the north = 35 divisions, including numerous and precious equipments. To defend the 500 km of the so-called "Weygand Line", from the North Sea to the Rhine, there remains only 63 divisions (59 French, 2 Polish depending from the French army and 2 British divisions) to stop 136 German ones, including 10 Panzerdivisionen, 6 motorized infantry divisions and 1 cavalry division. With such means only a frontline on the Somme and Aisne Rivers can be defended. Mathematically the campaign is lost, but the French troops will offer a fierce resistance during June 1940, inflicting heavy losses to the Germans and later to the Italians who declared war to an already beaten opponent.

3.3 The silence of the cavalry corps (30th May – 10th June 1940)

From 30th May to 10th June the cavalry corps disappeared as operational entity. Evacuated from Dunkirk to Great Britain, transported back to France (via Dover, Bovington and finally Brest again in France), the men from the cavalry corps are equipped again. Captain Devouges is in charge of the transit for the 1e DLM. The crews left Great Britain on 2nd June. Contrary to other units the men always refused to be disarmed. Indeed all the French troops arriving in Great Britain were disarmed by their ally.

4. THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CAVALRY CORPS

Beginning June, the cavalry constitutes 5 DLMs, but reduced ones. All the possible equipments are used : brand new tanks from the factories or very old ones taken in dumps, parks and schools or training centers. Several of these tanks are completely exhausted. Several Panhard 178 went in combat without turret : with home-made armor plates (16-20mm) forming a casemate (40 would have been produced during June 1940) and armed with 25mm SA35 or 47mm SA34 guns and a LMG or completely without turret/casemate and simply armed with a LMG.

Some Panhard 178 armored cars had a modified turret with a 47mm SA35 gun and a coaxial MG in June 1940 (Renault turret). This version participated to combats in June 1940 with at least one vehicle on the Loire River according to a photographic proof but the unit equipped with it is not know. It may have been of these DLMs.

The new 1e, 2e and 3e DLM (created west of Paris) are under the direct command of the cavalry corps but not the 2 others. The remains of the 5 DLCs were to be converted to a DLM "type réduit", a reduced DLM :

• 1e DLC as 4e DLM

• 2e DLC as 5e DLM

• 3e DLC as 6e DLM

• 4e DLC as 7e DLM

• 5e DLC as 8e DLM

The deteriorating military situation meant only 4e DLM and 7e DLM were actually formed.

1e DLM (colonel Beauchesne) : ready on 10th June at Pacy-sur-Eure. It includes :

• 10 Somua S35 tanks

• 10 Hotchkiss H39 tanks

• 5 Panhard 178 armored cars

• 2 motorcycle squadrons

• 2 dragons portés battalions

2e DLM (general Bougrain) : ready on 10th June at Dourdan. It includes:

• about 20 tanks

• 2 Panhard 178 squadrons (42 armored cars if at full strength, actually probably around 20 only)

• 2 motorcycle squadrons

• 2 dragons portés battalions

3e DLM (general Testard) : ready on 10th June at Conches. It includes :

• 2 Somua S35 squadrons (42 tanks if at full strength, actually probably around 20 only)

• 2 Panhard 178 squadrons (42 armored cars if at full strength, actually probably around 20 only)

• 1 dragons portés battalion

• 1 group of 75mm Mle1897 field guns (12 guns)

4e DLM (general Leyer) : created east of Paris with remnants of the 1e DLC, 17e GRCA, 2e GRDI and reinforced with a motorcycles and armored cars group coming from Montlhéry where is based the COMAM (Centre d'Organisation de Motocyclistes et Automitrailleuses). The 4e DLM is attached to the 7th army on 10th June and includes :

• 10 Somua S35 tanks

• 10 Hotchkiss tanks

• the 1e RAM (armored car regiment) with about 12 Panhard 178 armored cars

• 2 infantry regiments (1e Chasseurs and 5e Dragons)

• 2 batteries of 75mm Mle1897 field guns (8 guns)

• 1 engineer company

• 1 signal company,

• 1 HQ motor transport company

• 1 divisional quartermaster group

• 1 divisional medical group

7e DLM (general Marteau) : created already on 5th June with remnant of the 4e DLC, it is attached to the 2nd army. The order of battle of the 7e DLM is following :

• 14e BLM (Brigade Légère Mécanique) : lieutenant-colonel Grévy

--o 4e RAM (Régiment d'Auto-Mitrailleuses) : commandant Chapel

2 squadrons with armored cars and motorcyclists (10 Panhard 178, 14 AMR-33/35)

--o 8e RD (Régiment de Dragons) : commandant Deron

4 Hotchkiss tank squadrons with 22 very old Hotchkiss H35 tanks and 20 new Hotchkiss H39 tanks with the 37mm SA38 gun.

--o 4e EDAC (Escadron Divisionnaire Anti-Char) : capitaine Hapette Saint-Martin

(12 25mm SA34/37 AT guns)

• 4e BCM (Brigade de Cavalerie Motorisée) : colonel Préaud

--o 14e RDP (Régiment de Dragons portés) : commandant Sonnery

1 motorcyclists / armored cars squadron (7 Laffly 50AM, 16 LMGs, 1 60mm mortar)

3 infantry squadrons (54 LMGs, 12 MMGs, 3 60mm mortars)

1 support squadron (4 25mm SA34/37 AT guns, 4 81mm mortars, 8 MMGs)

--o 31e RDP (Régiment de Dragons portés) : commandant De Villers

1 motorcyclists / armored cars squadron (7 Laffly 50AM, 16 LMGs, 1 60mm mortar)

3 infantry squadrons (54 LMGs, 12 MMGs, 3 60mm mortars)

1 support squadron (4 25mm SA34/37 AT guns, 4 81mm mortars, 8 MMGs)

--o 4e escadron de réparation divisionnaire (recovery/repair squadron) : capitaine Palies

• 77e RATT (Régiment d'Artillerie Tractée Tout Terrain) : lieutenant colonel Baratchart

(12 75mm Mle1897 guns, 12 105mm C guns, 5 47mm SA37/39 AT guns, 3 25mm AA guns)

• 33/1 compagnie de sapeurs mineurs (engineer company)

• 1 divisional quartermaster group

• 1 divisional medical group

4. THE LAST BATTLES OF THE CAVALRY CORPS

From 10th to 25th June, the 5 reduced DLMs will fight the German army uninterrupted, delaying them on each River or stream. The Panzerwaffe nevertheless favoured movement to combat and avoided as often as possible other battles like Hannut and Gembloux. The foot infantry units of the Heer were in charge of neutralizing the French pockets. The French cavalry crews will sacrifice themselves to cover the retreat of the French infantry units.

Fall Rot launches the Germans on the Somme and Aisne Rivers on 9th June 1940. The French lines are also attacked on the Seine and Marne Rivers. The cavalry corps (1e, 2e and 3e DLM) covers the retreat of the army of Paris (general Héring) by delaying the Hoth Panzerkorps from Pacy to Louviers. The 4e DLM will have the same kind of mission for the 7th army from Epernay to Meaux.

4.1 The 7e DLM on the Retourne River (10-11th June)

South of the Aisne River is created a "groupement cuirassée" (armored group) with the 3e DCR and the 7e DLM under the command of general Buisson. They will have to face the tanks of the XXXIX. Panzerkorps (general Schmidt) with the 1.PzD and 2.PzD. On 10th May morning, the "groupement Buisson" is the single unit able to lead a counter-attack in the area of Rethel. But it is south of the Retourne River and has first to cross it. The tanks reach their base line only at 14h00. At this moment the German bridgehead's size has already considerably increased. After refuelling, the unit is ready to attack at 15h00 but is only launched at 17h00.

The French counter-attack is launched without artillery or aviation support. The movements of the "groupement Buisson" are spotted by the Luftwaffe and will be stopped mainly by the numerous guns installed in anti-tank role by the 21.ID. The "groupement Buisson" is split in 2 parts :

1) One part crosses the Retourne river more on the east and attacks the Germans from an east / south-east axis :

• Northern attack on the Annelles - Perthes axis (groupement of lieutenant-colonel Maître) with elements of the 3e DCR : 17 Hotchkiss H39 (2/42e and 3/42e BCC), 9 Renault B1bis (2/41e BCC) and the 3 infantry companies of the 16e BCP (bataillon de chasseurs portés).

• Southern attack on the Juniville - Tagnon axis (groupement of lieutenant-colonel Salanié) with elements of the 3e DCR : 25 Hotchkiss H39 (45e BCC), 10 Renault B1bis (1/41e BCC) and of the 7e DLM : reduced 31e RDP (Régiment de Dragons Portés).

• A few B1bis tanks from the 3/41e BCC remain in Annelles as protection and take not part to the attack.

2) One part south of the Retourne river, composed of the 10e BCC (40 Renault R35) and of the 7e DLM attacks on the Ménil-Lépinois - Alincourt - Le Chatelet axis.

The 7e DLM order of battle is slightly modified during this battle :

• 14e BLM (Brigade Légère Mécanique) : lieutenant-colonel Grévy

--o 4e RAM (Régiment d'Auto-Mitrailleuses) : commandant Chapel

2 squadrons with armored cars and motorcyclists (10 Panhard 178, 14 AMR-33/35)

--o 8e RD (Régiment de Dragons) : commandant Deron

4 Hotchkiss tank squadrons with 22 very old Hotchkiss H35 tanks and 20 new Hotchkiss H39 tanks with the 37mm SA38 gun. But only about 25 tanks will reach the deployment area, most of the exhausted Hotchkiss H35 tanks have been immobilized during the move.

--o 4e EDAC (Escadron Divisionnaire Anti-Char) : capitaine Hapette Saint-Martin

(12 25mm SA34/37 AT guns)

• 4e BCM (Brigade de Cavalerie Motorisée) : colonel Préaud

--o 14e RDP (Régiment de Dragons portés) : commandant Sonnery

1 motorcyclists / armored cars squadron (7 Laffly 50AM, 16 LMGs, 1 60mm mortar)

3 infantry squadrons (54 LMGs, 12 MMGs, 3 60mm mortars)

1 support squadron (4 25mm SA34/37 AT guns, 4 81mm mortars, 8 MMGs)

--o 31e RDP (Régiment de Dragons portés) : commandant De Villers

1 motorcyclists / armored cars squadron (7 Laffly 50AM, 16 LMGs, 1 60mm mortar)

3 infantry squadrons (54 LMGs, 12 MMGs, 3 60mm mortars)

1 support squadron (4 25mm SA34/37 AT guns, 4 81mm mortars, 8 MMGs)

But the 2/31e RDP and 5/31e RDP squadrons are engaged north of Juniville, with the groupement Salanié. They are not available for the 7e DLM.

--o 4e escadron de réparation divisionnaire (recovery/repair squadron) : capitaine Palies

• 77e RATT (Régiment d'Artillerie Tractée Tout Terrain) : lieutenant colonel Baratchart

(12 75mm Mle1897 guns, 12 105mm C guns, 5 47mm SA37/39 AT guns, 3 25mm AA guns)

• 33/1 compagnie de sapeurs mineurs (engineer company)

• 1 divisional quartermaster group

• 1 divisional medical group

The 7e DLM is reinforced by the 10e BCC (40 Renault R35 tanks).

On 10th June, the 7e DLM will have to face mainly the 1.PzD (general Kitchner) :

• PzBfWg : 18

• Panzer I : 52

• Panzer II : 98

• Panzer III : 58

• Panzer IV : 40

258 tanks (including 98 Panzer III and Panzer IV)

• armored cars : 56 (including about 23 with a 2.0cm L/55 gun)

• 8.8cm Flak (Sfl) auf SdKfz8 : 6 (self-propelled 8.8cm anti-tank gun)

• 8.8cm Flak : 9 (often used in anti-tank role)

• 3.7cm Pak36 : 51

• 2.0cm / 3.7cm Flak : 24

• 15cm sIG33 auf PzKpw I : 6

• 7.5cm leIG : 24

• 15cm sIG : 8

• 10.5cm leFH18 : 24 (sometimes used in anti-tank role)

• 15cm sFH : 12

But the 1.PzD is reinforced by elements if the 17.ID anf 21.ID. Note that before "Fall Rot" in France, the 1.PzD seems to have been reinforced to 276 tanks.

About 65 French tanks with only about of them 20 armed with the 37mm SA38 gun will have to face at least 258 tanks including 98 Panzer III and Panzer IV and strongly supported by infantry, artillery and the German aviation.

10th May

The various reconnaissance patrols launched by the 4e RAM spot 60 enemy tanks between Neuflize and Alincourt at 10h30. At 11h00 about 100 German tanks are reported north of Juniville. At 12h05 the patrols report the encirclement of Perthes by 30 tanks and motorcyclists. One Panhard 178 is lost during the morning by one of the numerous Ju87 Stuka attacks, the German control the skies and use their Luftwaffe as often as possible to support their attacks. The French air force is inactive and the AA guns are rather rare.

At 12h30, the 7e DLM is deployed in the area of La Neuville in order to control the line Ménil-Lépinois – Aussonce – La Neuville.

The Hotchkiss H35 tanks of the 8e RD have been taken in schools and are very old and exhausted vehicles. Most of them have been immobilized by mechanical failures. All the 20 Hotchkiss H39 tanks but only very few Hotchkiss H35 tanks are operational in the 8e RD which is therefore reduced (probably about 25 tanks).

The 1/31e RDP infantry squadron/company is deployed north of La Neuville in a wood on the border of the road between Juniville and La Neuville.

2 infantry companies, 1 support company and armored cars are in Aussonce.

3 Hotchkiss tanks squadrons of the 8e RD (about 20 tanks) relieve Panhard 178 armored cars from the 4e RAM in Ménil Lépinois : the 3/8e RD in the town itself and the 2/8e RD and 4/8e RD next to it.

French reconnaissance patrols are in contact with German tanks on the road between Juniville and La Neuville. The Panhard 178 armored cars try to delay the advancing German tanks but one vehicle is lost and the reconnaissance patrol retreats.

The groupement Aussenac next to La Neuville is composed of :

• 10e BCC (40 Renault R35)

• 1/8e RD (8 Hotchkiss H35/39)

• 4/14e RDP (1 infantry squadron/company) reinforced by AT guns from the EDAC

The 1/10e BCC (13 Renault R35 tanks) remains in La Neuville and the other elements of the "groupement Aussenac" begin their movement towards Juniville at 13h30 but they are blocked 2 km north by numerous German tanks and AT guns.

The 2/10e BCC (13 Renault R35 tanks) engages the battle but their 37mm SA18 gun lacks power and they have to go to close range (< 25-100m) with more numerous German tanks which can engage them from at 200-300m. 9 Renault R35 are destroyed and the 4 other retreat. Of these 4 tanks only one is able to continue to fight.

The German tanks continue their progression and encounter the trucks carrying the 4/14e RDP (infantry company). The French troops disembark in a hurry and take position in the woods around the road.

Immediately, the 1/8e RD with only 8 tanks counter-attacks against about 30 German tanks. The squadron commander (captain de Loriol) with 3 other tanks manages to outflank the enemy and 2 German tanks are destroyed by the maréchal-des-logis Flouret. Surprised, the Germans stop their attack and move back. On the French side 2 immobilized Hotchkiss tanks are scuttled.

The 3/10e BCC (13 Renault R35 tanks) is then ordered to push towards Juniville to rescue the survivors of the 2/10e BCC. They are soon stopped by a German artillery barrage followed by German tanks attacking on the flank. One Renault R35 is destroyed, the others retreat in the cover of the woods hold by the French infantry. During all the afternoon, the 3/10e BCC launches successive counter-attacks to delay the 1.PzD, loosing 7 more Renault R35 tanks, but they manage to rescue the survivors from the 2/10e BCC and to recover several immobilized tanks. One motorcycle platoon advances 500m more north and capture several items and documents in a German tank wreck. Under heavy fire they retreat with 3 WIAs.

At about 16h00, the German tanks and mechanized troops attack the woods hold by the French infantry supported by the remaining 6 Renault R35 and 6 Hotchkiss H35/39. Two German tanks are destroyed and once more they are pulled back. On the French side 2 men have been killed and several WIA. Two German AT guns take position next to the woods and open fire on a R35 tank. 2 shells miss the tank and both AT guns are destroyed.

The Germans cancel their attack and the task is given to the German artillery which bombards the woods occupied by the French troops. During the evening, most of the French tanks move back to La Neuville. At 21h00, the French infantry is close to be out of ammunition but is still controlling the road, supported by 3 Renault R35 tanks and 2 25mm AT guns.

The French infantry in the woods is being slowly encircled and at 23h30 they are ordered to retreat to La Neuville, on the main French line.

At 18h00 German tanks are also spotted in the woods north of Aussonce, between Ménil Lépinois and Juniville. Lieutenant De Villèle from 2/8e RD moves with 4 Hotchkiss tanks to meet them. They first encounter ambushed German AT guns and later tanks. 2 Hotchkiss tanks are destroyed and lieutenant De Villèle is KIA with his driver.

From the 27 Renault R35 tanks engaged by the 2/10e BCC and 3/10e BCC (two companies of 13 tanks and the battalion commander's tank) :

• 10 have been destroyed

• 10 are damaged but recovered and under repair

• 7 are operational

The 1/10e BCC has 13 more tanks and there are also the 5 replacement tanks of the battalion for a total of 20-25 operational tanks.

The remnants of the 1/8e RD (1 fully operational tank and 5 tanks under repair) deploy at La Neuville at 01h00. At the end of the 10th June, 4 Hotchkiss tanks have been destroyed, 5 are under repair and about 16 are still operational.

That makes a total of 36-41 operational tanks and several armored cars to stop the German Panzerdivisionen moving south. But the Germans have to delay the advance, out of fuel and ammunition they return to their lines on the Retourne river and will proceed with their offensive on 11th June.

The town of La Neuville will be bombarded all night long by the German artillery, 1 AMR is destroyed by the indirect hit of a 150mm shell.

At 22h30 the 7e DLM is reinforced by a company of the 152e RI, the "Red Devils" of the 14e DI.

11th May

On 11th June 1940 the French forces move about 10-15km south / south-west while fighting all the day long. During all the day the French troops will be attacked by the Luftwaffe. During following days the battle strength of the 7e DLM will quickly fall to about 50%.

On 11th June morning the reinforcement company of the 152e RI stops German infantry between Aussonce and La Neuville. The French strongpoints south of La Neuville (3/31e RDP and 4/31e RDP), next to the Le Merlan farm, immobilize a few German tanks thanks to their AT guns. The German artillery enters in action, destroying several French trucks and side-cars.

The 8 remaining Panhard 178 armored cars from capitaine Gobert delay the German advance south of La Neuville while the French infantry retreats. Ambushed in the woods they surprise 30 German tanks : 2 are immobilized and 3 are knocked out. The swift French armored cars hit and run without having to sustain losses until they are ordered to retreat too.

In Selles and Heutrégiville, the few tanks from the 4/8e RD delay the German advancing tanks. In Pontfaverger 2 Hotchkiss from the 1/8e RD resist against 50 German tanks until their complete destruction.

In Béthenville, engineers supported by dragoons (infantry) mine the bridges (2 bridges and 1 rail-road bridge) and blow them at 12.30 AM. They entrench behind the Suippe river and face the German attacks. But the Germans have crossed the river in Pontfaverger and enters in Béthenville from the south-west. Thanks to an alcohol distillery put on fire while the German tanks were in the corresponding street, a real firewall is created, blocking the German progression. The remaining tanks of the 8e RD prevent the encirclement while the infantry exits from Béthenville and retreats. The last Hotchkiss tanks of the 8e RD are destroyed, sacrificed against impossible odds to save their comrades.

The 7e DLM will fight continuously until 25th June 1940, sacrificing its men and vehicles to cover other troops, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy.

4.2 The retreat (11-25th June)

On 11th June, the 1e DLM takes Heunières to the Germans, north of Pacy-sur-Eure, before withdrawing on order. The Somua S35 tanks destroy 6 German AT guns.

On 12th June at 13h45, general Weygand orders the retreat of the French army, the high command moves to Briare. The French army plans to resist on the Loire River. The 1e DLM is attacked in the area of Evreux by the 27.ID. The infantry defends itself very well. Encircled, on squadron is rescued thanks to a counter-attack led by French tanks. The 2e DLM is engaged in fierce house by house combats Jaudrais and Senonches. The 4e DLM continues to cover the retreat of the 7th army.

The 7e DLM has lost most of its tanks and armoured cars on 14th June. One of its remaining element will face a dramatic fate near Nevers. This group is composed of several side-cars, 10 tanks and a motorized infantry platoon. They encounter some light German reconnaissance elements, which are crushed easily, but these elements are the first one of the XIV. Panzerkorps ! The men of the 7e DLM immobilize 2 German tank battalions during several hours and destroy several enemy AFVs before being killed or captured. The sacrifice of this small unit enables the rest of he 7e DLM, as well as the troops they are covering, to cross the Loire River safely.

On 14th June, 2 dragons portés squadrons supported by Somua S35 tanks of the 3e DLM destroy a whole German motorized column at Damville. On 16th June the 3e DLM fights next to Ferté-Vidame.

The cavalry corps arrives completely behind the Loire River on 19th June and takes part during 48 hours to the combats on this new line. They are deployed east of the famous cavalry cadets from Saumur.

On 21st June the retreat goes on. On 22nd June, the 2e DLM has crossed the Creuse River and is decided to delay the Germans in the Haye – Descartes area. At 8h30 an attack is launched against German motorized elements, which are reinforced by AT guns. Many German vehicles and AT guns are destroyed but 5 French tanks are damaged. During the afternoon one German assault is defeated.

On 23rd June, the cavalry corps covers the retreat of the French army on the Dordogne River. The 7e DLM is reduced to 2 motorized squadrons without tanks and 2 reduced artillery groups.

On 25th June, the armistice comes into effect and the cavalry corps is ordered to stop the combat.

The 1e DLM is in the area of Riberac. It is disbanded on 31st July 1940.

The 2e DLM is in the area of Périgueux. It is disbanded on 16th July 1940.

The 3e DLM is in the area of Thiviers. It is disbanded on 11th July 1940.

The 4e DLM is in the area of Saint-Etienne de Fursac. It is disbanded just after the armistice.

The 7e DLM is in the area of Massiac. It is disbanded just after the armistice.

The armoured units of the French cavalry fought valiantly from 10th May to 25th June 1940, sometimes in impossible odds but always with courage and honor.

Sources :

• "Avec la 3e DLM et le corps de cavalerie" (G. Delater)

• "Blitzkrieg à l’Ouest, Mai-Juin 40" (Jean-Paul Pallud)

• "Comme des lions – mai/juin 1940 – le sacrifice de l'armée française" (Dominique Lormier)

• "Divided and Conquered : The French High Command and the Defeat of the West, 1940." (Jeffery A. Gunsburg, 1979)

• "Gembloux" (Henri Aymes)

• "Histoire de Guerre" magazine n°40 (based on several books and official reports)

• "Histoire de Guerre" magazine n°46 (based on several books and official reports)

• "Histoire de Guerre" magazine n°5 (based on several books and official reports)

• "La campagne de 1940" (Christine Levisse-Touzé)

• "L'Arme Blindée Française (Tome 1) : Mai-juin 1940 ! Les blindés français dans la tourmente" (Gérard Saint-Martin). The author is a French cavalry colonel with an History Ph.D.

• "Le mythe de la guerre-éclair – la campagne de l'Ouest de 1940" (Karl-Heinz Frieser). The author is a German Bundeswehr researcher (colonel), in German the book is entitled "Blitzkrieg Legende".

• "L'escadron de Segonzac" (Olivier d'Ormesson)

• "Mai - Juin 1940 : défaite française, victoire allemande, sous l'oeil des historiens étrangers" (Maurice Vaïsse)

• "Mai - Juin 1940 : les combattants de l'honneur" (Jean Delmas, Paul Devautour and Eric Lefèvre)

• "The battle of Gembloux, 14-15 May 1940 : the 'Blitzkrieg' checked" (Jeffery A. Gunsburg, the journal of military history 64 (January 2000), 97-140)

• "The battle of the Belgian plain, 12-14 May 1940 : the first great tank battle" (Jeffery A. Gunsburg, the journal of military history 56 (April 1992), 207-244)

• "The French army 1939-1940 – organisation, order of battle, operational history" (4 volumes, Lee Sharp)

• "Une vie de char" (Robert Le Bel)

Best regards,

David

David Lehmann

Forum Staff

Posts: 2363

Joined: 01 Apr 2002 10:50

Location: France Top

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French Armor

by tigre on 07 May 2005 19:14

Hello David:

Just another point of view to add. Its seems that the French defeat was more due to a state of mind rather than numbers.

French Armor: 1940 (John A. Lynn - Military Review Dec 1967)

FRENCH armored doctrine rather than an inferiority in numbers of tanks bears the responsibility for the defeat of French armor in 1940, The Germans had no real numerical advantage. General Heinz Guderian has stated that the Germans had a total of 2,800 tanks, of which only 2,200 were used. B. H. Liddell Hart estimates that the 10 panzer divisions employed in France numbered 2,574 tanks.

On the French side, the report of the French Commission of Inquiry revealed that 2,909 modern tanks were produced and delivered to the French Army between 1935 and 1939. More, of course, were available by May of 1940. Liddell Hart sets the number of modern French tanks by that date at 3,500.Considering that British tanks were also in service on the Continent, sheer weight of numbers was on the Allied side.

Neither were French tanks inferior, tank for tank. The French had R 35, H35, H39, and FCM light tanks, Somua mediums, and heavy B tanks. The attacking Germans had, in their 10 armored divisions, light KwI and KWII tanks, Czech light-mediums, and Medium KwIII and KwIV tanks. Characteristics of these several designs of armored combat vehicles reveal French superiority in thickness of armor plate and in caliber of armament as shown in the accompanying table.

German Guns Ineffective

The thick armor plate of the French Tanks meant that probably no German main armament, not even the 75-millimeter gun, could penetrate a French tank, at least at its point of greatest armor thickness. French light tanks could, on the other hand, pierce German light tanks while French mediums and heavies could pierce any German tank.

Concerning the 1940 campaign, General Erwin Rommel complained,“Our guns eeemed to be completely ineffective against the heavyarmor of the French tanks.” In fact, in terms of gun caliber and thickness of armor plate, a French “light” tank was more equivalent to a KwIII, a medium, than to the two types of German light tanks. French tanks did suffer from other shortcomings. Except for the Somua medium,they were slower than German tanks. They generally had poor radio equipment or none at all; and all French tanks had one-man turrets. Therefore, one man had to load and aim the gun while be commanded the vehicle. On balance, however, the advantage in equipment lay with the French.

Doctrine and Organization.

To explain the defeat of French armor in May and June 1940, we, should look at French doctrine and organization. The first and most important statement of armored doctrine, entitled Provisional Instructions Concerning the Tactical Utilization of Larger Units, was produced in 1921 by a military panel under the direction of Marshal Henri P. Petain. It stated that firepower wae the primary concern, and attack was justified only after considerable preparation. An offensive was to be a heavy concentration of mass piled up behind the lines and sent tumbling toward the enemy as an avalanche in which the infantry would play the greatest part. Light and heavy tanks were seen as offensive weapons, but offensive weapons in a slow-motion war of nearly static frents. Light tanks were to accompany the infantry while heavy tanks, by their mass and firepower, were to clear tbe way for infantry and light tanks. An Instruction on the Employment of Combat Tanks appeared in 1930, but it merely reinforced the earlier statements of the 1921 Instructions.”Tanks are only to be supplementary put temporarily at the disposition of the infantry; they considerably reinforce its action, but they do not replace it.” In 1934, when the first large mechanized unit, the 1st Light Mechanized Division, was constituted under cavalry command, it was considered as a mechanized version of horse

cavalry, not as a true armored division. In 1936, under the guidance of General Maurice G. Gamelin, a new Instruction on the Tactical Utilization of Larger Units was issued. More latitude was given to tanks, but they were still pictured as a breakthrough weapon in a warfare of continuous fronts. No detailed method for the employmentof large, heavy armored formations was included since none existed in France at that time. Between 1936 and 1939, two additional light mechanized divisione were created, and after the German September1939 successes in Poland, four armored divisions were hastily improvised.

They were fitted into existing organization and doctrine.

Start of Blitzkrieg.

Blitzkrieg commenced in Western Europe on 10 May 1940 as the Germans

invaded the Netherlands, Belgium,and Luxembourg. On 13-14 May, panzer divisions crossed the Meuse at Sedan and Dinant after advancing through the Ardennes. Following their success ful penetration at Sedan, the panzers swept on to the Channel, reaching it near Abbeville on 20 May. German armor had cut the French Army in two, isolating the northern half. The best chance for France to defeat this armored thrust was with her own armored units. Her failure to do so was due, in large measure, to faulty employment doctrine.

On 10 May 1940, French armored I forces were divided into three categories

—infantry tanks, light mechanized divisions, and armored divisions. The first category included 34 battalions of about 45 tanks each. The battalions were distributed among nine field armies. When these scattered battalion came into contact with massed German armor, they were brushed aside.

This fragmentary deployment caused nearly one-half of all French tanks to be unavailable to the crucial large French armored formations. The three light mechanized divisions were committed to battle with the Allied forces north of the German penetration. These divisions, composed of light and medium armor, armored cars, motorcyclists, and motorized infantry, were at a disadvantage at least when compared to the lst, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, or 10th Panzer Divisions which were stronger than the remaining four German armored divisions.

The Germans, in fact, had abandoned their “light” (mechanized) divisions as ineffective after the Polish campaign.

All the French light mechanized divisions fought north of a line through Arras and Dinant.

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