On the 10th of May 1940 Germany launched a invasion of Belgium, Luxembourg and
the Netherlands in order to bypass the Maginot line fortifications the French
had built along the French-German border. Although the allies outnumbered the
Germans they were slow to take advantage of their air superiority and were taken
by surprise when the Germans moved tanks through a forested area of Belgium
which they had taught was impassible. Soon Belgium, the Netherlands and
Luxembourg were defeated and the French were being forced further back towards
Paris.
On the 23rd of May Britain decided that France was
doomed and retreated to Dunkirk where they built a defensive line when the
Germans halted their attack for a day due to uncertainty of the number and the
strength of the remaining allied forces. The battle at Dunkirk was one of the
most viscous battles of the war. The Germans knew that if they defeated the
allied force they would destroy the British army and the British were
desperately trying to save as many men as they could. The two sides fought many
air battles as well. German aircraft losses during the battle of France were
higher than those suffered during the battle of Britain. The British navy
managed to evacuate the majority of their forces and some French troops with
the help of private boats but the loss in prestige and equipment was
horrific.