15th May 1940
Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2022 9:03 pm
The extent of the German breakthrough at Sedan has now become obvious to the French General Staff. It is now clear that this is the main German thrust, with the attack through northern Belgium as a diversion. Gamelin therefore issues orders that the entire reserve (1st and 5th Armies, plus II Corps of the BEF) should concentrate WNW of Reims in order to halt the German thrust. When in position, they should prepare to launch a counterattack and throw the Germans back across the border. While Gamelin is shocked by the scale of the German breakthrough, he also believes that given the strength and mobility of the reserves available the battle is not yet lost.
While Gamelin is issuing these orders, the leading German Panzers are approaching Reims. A hurriedly thrown together defensive line stalls them just short of it in the late afternoon as they are forced to wait for their artillery to catch up, but it is clear to the French troops on the ground that they won't be able to stop the Panzer forces for more than a few hours.
In the Netherlands, the RN destroyers which have been used as fast troop-ferries are used to provide fire support as the Dutch cross the Dordtsche Kil to recapture the southern part of the island of Dordrecht. While an extemporised lash-up (mostly using fishing boats, with most of the vessels involved propelled by oars), the lack of German artillery and the fire support provided by the destroyers and Dutch Army mean the landing is a success, and the initial counterattack is repelled. The newly arrived Hurricanes provide air cover for this operation, allowing the destroyers to withdraw to the UK afterwards without damage. Importantly, this cuts the German troops holding the remains of the Moerdijk bridge off from the rest of the Fallschirmjäger in and around Dordrecht itself.
In Belgium, the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions attack and break through the Gembloux gap, then turn north towards Brussels, in order to encircle the Belgian forces defending the Dyle line. By evening, however, they have only reached the line Wavre-Waterloo. The Belgian reaction to this is very mixed. Some of the Generals start planning for a retreat to the Scheldt line, while half the government flees to Paris or Ghent. King Leopold, on the other hand, stays in Brussels fully intending to share the fate of his army.
While Gamelin is issuing these orders, the leading German Panzers are approaching Reims. A hurriedly thrown together defensive line stalls them just short of it in the late afternoon as they are forced to wait for their artillery to catch up, but it is clear to the French troops on the ground that they won't be able to stop the Panzer forces for more than a few hours.
In the Netherlands, the RN destroyers which have been used as fast troop-ferries are used to provide fire support as the Dutch cross the Dordtsche Kil to recapture the southern part of the island of Dordrecht. While an extemporised lash-up (mostly using fishing boats, with most of the vessels involved propelled by oars), the lack of German artillery and the fire support provided by the destroyers and Dutch Army mean the landing is a success, and the initial counterattack is repelled. The newly arrived Hurricanes provide air cover for this operation, allowing the destroyers to withdraw to the UK afterwards without damage. Importantly, this cuts the German troops holding the remains of the Moerdijk bridge off from the rest of the Fallschirmjäger in and around Dordrecht itself.
In Belgium, the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions attack and break through the Gembloux gap, then turn north towards Brussels, in order to encircle the Belgian forces defending the Dyle line. By evening, however, they have only reached the line Wavre-Waterloo. The Belgian reaction to this is very mixed. Some of the Generals start planning for a retreat to the Scheldt line, while half the government flees to Paris or Ghent. King Leopold, on the other hand, stays in Brussels fully intending to share the fate of his army.
