... Fuhrer of Germany invaded Poland and on the third of the same month England and France declared war on Germany. On May 10th 1940 the Germans attacked France. The French High command had been certain that the Germans would attack along the French - German border and they were prepared with their underground forts known as the Maignot Line. Unfortunately the Germans continued their attack on the 12th May at Sedan where the Line ended, it proved to be a expensive and useless plan. De Gaulle's tanks blocked the German advance for a few days but the allies couldn't hold. De Gaulle attained the rank of brigadier general for his efforts. During the next few weeks a new government was formed and by June 14th the Germans had entered Paris. Within 5 weeks France suffered the worst defeat ever and Pétain was made Prime Minister. A large percentage of the French population initially accepted ...

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