Fall Gelb 1940 (1): Panzer breakthrough in the West

Description

Never in the history of warfare has the clash between such great and apparently equal forces been decided so swiftly and conclusively as the German conquest of France and the Low Countries in May and June of 1940. Not deigning to spend itself against the extensive fortifications of France's Maginot Lines, Hitler's Wehrmacht planned to advance its 136 (of 157) divisions through Belgium and northern France in order to destroy the Allied forces there and gain territory from which to prosecute continued combat operations against France and England. Beginning on 10 May 1940, this title follows the fortunes of Heeresgruppe A as its three Panzer Korps moved stealthily through the dark, hilly, and thickly forested Ardennes in southern Belgium before forcing a passage across the river Meuse and racing through France to the Channel in one of the most daring campaigns in history.

Doug Dildy is a USAF Academy graduate with a degree in history. He attended the US Armed Forces Staff College and USAF Air War College and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science. Doug has authored several campaign studies as well as several articles covering the Dutch, Danish and Norwegian air arms' defence against the German invasions of 1940 for notable US aviation history magazines. He is a regular contributor to the amateur modelling magazine Small Air Forces Observer. Peter Dennis was born in 1950. Inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn he studied illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

"I found this a good solid volume depicting the Panzer operations which did so much to unnerve and outfight the Allies. But for Hitler's stop order before Dunkirk it could have been a complete disaster. I would think for someone starting a study of this period, for the price and information, this is a 'must have'. Highly recommended." --Scale Modelling Now "As with the entire Osprey 'Campaign' series, this is a visually appealing, well-organized, perfectly competent book with maps, diagrams, and photos of high quality. As always, it's a tidy little package, and collectors of the series will surely want to grab a copy." --Stone & Stone, www.stonebooks.com