Wehrmacht MGs and arty in France, 1940

On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany, in response to the German invasion of Poland. Throughout the winter and spring, a chill hostility fell over the frontier with little actual fighting. This changed on May 10, 1940, when the Wehrmacht launched Fall Gelb, driving through the Ardennes and overrunning Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of France. The remaining French and British divisions attempted a stand along the Somme and Aisne rivers, but on June 5, the Germans Army initiated Fall Rot, with Italy declaring war against France at the same time. Coordinated Axis armor, artillery, and airpower overwhelmed the allies, resulting in the fall of France and the evacuation of British forces at Dunkirk.

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