The Phoney War
When was the phoney war?
Period from September 1939- April 1940
Why did Britain declare war on Germany?
Invasion of Poland
What was the name given for the French's preparation?
Maginot line
When did Britain declare war on Germany?
1939
Initially, how many BEF infantry divisions and tanks were in Belgium and France?
4 infantry divisions and 50 light tanks
In May 1940 how many BEF men were in Belgium/France?
Almost 40,000
What was happening in May 1940?
BEF increased in size by another 6 divisions
What does BEF mean and who was it run by?
British expeditionary force, by Lord Gort
How had the allies prepared for an attack?
Built a series of extremely well armed forts, minefields and trenches
Where was an attack from Germany anticipated?
Franco-German border
How and where were the BEF sent?
To France and Belgium on a gradual basis
What was the phoney war?
Where seemingly nothing happened, known by Germans as 'sitzkreig'- sitting war
