5 June 1940 Germans attack Somme defenses



On the Western Front... The German attack on the line of the Somme begins. The French have used the period of the Dunkirk battle to make some defensive preparations but not enough to compensate for the weakness of their forces. These are now organized as Army Groups Three and Four. Army Group Three holds the Somme near the coast and Army Group Four the line of the Aisne. The German attack is code named Operation Rot. Their tank forces, now organized in two Panzer Groups and one Panzer Corps, are given the leading role. The heaviest fighting at first in the area between Amiens and the sea where Hoth's Panzer Corps is heading the drive.

In Paris... In a Cabinet reshuffle Daladier is dropped and the newly promoted General de Gaulle is made Under-Secretary for Defense.

In MAW Land... Final on-line testing has been completed.