Nazi Invasion of France on the Timeline for World War 2

Every part of the timeline of World War 2 is an integral part of how the war progressed and ultimately ended, but some events are more pivotal than others. The Fall of France, otherwise known as the Battle of France, was the invasion of France and the Low Countries by Nazi Germany and began on 10 May 1940. The battle lasted from May until 22 June 1940 and was a major victory for the Nazis. The Fall of France was executed in two main operations known as Fall Gelb (Case Yellow) and Fall Rot (Case Red). The previous operation involved the Nazis cutting off and surrounding the Allied forces in Belgium and the latter involved the main attack on the larger territory of France.

Eventually France would be divided into several occupation zones including the German occupation in the north and west, the Italian occupation in the southeast, and the collaborationist rump state in the south region. The German occupation lasted from the fall of the nation until the Allied reclamation of the region in 1944. The German occupation of France was essential to the Nazis so that they could continue to have access to certain supplies and materials.

As with any of the battles and war events found on the timeline of World War 2, the Battle of France was a blood one. There was much resistance against the German invasion as Allied forces attempted to fend off the Nazis from entering the territory. It was originally thought that the Nazis could overtake the region in just a few weeks, but it did take quite some time.