BATTLE // May 21, 1940
Battle of Arras
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Overview
The Battle of Arras took place on 21 May 1940, during the Battle of France in the Second World War. Following the German invasion of the Low Countries on 10 May, French and British forces advanced into Belgium. The German campaign plan Fall Gelb had evolved into a decoy operation in the Netherlands and Belgium, with the main effort through the Ardennes. German units crossed the Meuse without waiting for reinforcements at the Battle of Sedan. Instead of consolidating bridgeheads on the west bank of the Meuse, the Germans began an advance down the Somme river valley towards the English Channel.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Forces & casualties
Troop strength
- United Kingdom15,000medium
- Germany5,000–10,000medium
United Kingdom fielded a 2.0 : 1 numerical advantage
Casualties
- Royaume-Uni170medium
- Reich allemand300–400medium
Commanders (2)
Germany
Erwin Rommelgeneral field marshal
United Kingdom
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6 sibling battles · 6 factions