#sedan #hitler #battleoffrance
‘The Fall of Sedan’ is the fourth episode of our new series - Hitler’s Invasion of the West. Crossing the border into France, Alex and Lawrence head for the important city of Sedan to learn more about the German breakthrough here in May 1940. For it was here that Guderian’s three Panzer Divisions having circumnavigated the arduous terrain of the Ardennes region, burst out onto the unsuspecting French forces, crossed the River Meuse, and broke-out towards the English Channel.
We will be exploring the fierce fighting which raged at the edge of the Ardennes around Maison Forte (Mf10) de St Menges on the 12th May 1940. As outnumbered and outgunned, five brave French men of the 10th A/T Battery, 78th Artillery Regiment fought ferociously to try and hold up the vanguard of the 1st Panzer Division’s advance. All of them bravely gave their lives trying to defend France. The building now stands as a permanent memorial to them.
Heading up to the heights overlooking Sedan, we discuss the terrific aerial bombardment by the Luftwaffe to support Guderian’s troops attempt to cross the River Meuse on 13th May. We also visit a few of the crossing points, including one near the Sedan Railway Station, not far from where a small group spearheaded by Feldwebel Walter Rubarth successfully managed to reach the opposite banks of the Meuse and set to work, which proved so crucial into turning the initial failures into a triumphant success in the 10th Panzer Division’s sector.
We also pay our respects to the RAF, as it was not only those of the French defenders slugging it out on the ground that were risking all to stem the German onslaught, but men, both French and British who were losing their lives in the skies high above Sedan. On 14th May out of the 71 British bombers which took off to attack the German bridgehead at Sedan, 40 would never return.
Our final afternoon stop sees us heading to the tiny French village of Stonne, just 20km south of Sedan as we look to discover more about the Verdun-style fighting that took place here during the ensuing days. On 15th to the 17th May alone the village changed hands no fewer than 17 times.
Teaming up with the various Tourism Boards and the EuroTunnel, the WW2 Nation Team hit the road again last October as we set out to explore some of the historical sites connected with Hitler’s Blitzkrieg campaign in the West during the Summer of 1940.
Special thanks to Infinite Pixel, The Map Archive, After The Battle, Pen & Sword, the Tourism Boards, the EuroTunnel and many others for their kind help with this Series.
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We all have a great passion for WW2 history and are determined to learn as much as we can about this time in history and share our experiences with you, the WW2 Community. We are on a journey of discovery and exploring this period of history from all sides. Those with sympathetic views towards the Nazi regime or hold any type of extreme views are not welcome here on WW2 Nation.
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Music:
Path to Greatness - Cody Martin (Instrumental) Rising Storm - Cody Martin (Instrumental)
Agape - Joachim Heinrich
The Ways of Royalty - Cody Martin (Instrumental) And He Arose - Joachim Heinrich
Images:
Sedan Tourism Board After The Battle
Pen & Sword
The Map Archive Wikipedia - Bundesarchive
13 июл 2024