BOB a mistake ? --- The Battle of France

[Qwerty]

Originally Posted by csThor

As I said the BoF was a defeat for the Allies - regardless of the local successes. This is probably why it was put on the back shelf compared to the BoB - few people like to be taught about past defeats.

Well I find the BoF very interesting, precisely because I don't understand it. Even today, historians cannot agree on the motives or reasons for every thrust and counterthrust of the campaign. It seems to me it played out much like a six week chess game - not so much a defeat of arms as a collapse of resolve (by some poorly equipped French and Belgian units) and a recognition of impending defeat (by the BEF) leading to withdrawal from the theatre. A victory for speed of manoeuvre and aerial support of infantry.

But I don't think it's ignored because it was a defeat (though I believe French society still prefers not to discuss the BoF) - it's more probably because the campaign was so short (10 May - 25 June 1940). There are only so many times one can bomb the three bridges over the Meuse without it getting a little 'samey'.