Evening star., 1940-06-17
France Ninth Nation
Seized by Germany
In Last Two Years
Conquered Army Roted
Best in World Before
Outbreak of War

France is the ninth nation to sue
cumb to the might of Germany in
little more than two years.
The great Nazi offensive which
eliminated in the surrender was
launched June 5-the day after the
Germans completed their mop-up of
Flanders with the capture of Dun
kerque
Nine days later Adolf Hitler's
iron legions marched into Paris and
the Swastika banners were unfurled
over the Palace of Versailles. Within
another two days the Germans had
outf1anked the famed Maginot Line
and the French were forced to aban-
don the $500,000000 system of forti-
flcatlons in which they had placed
their supreme trust. The withdrawal
was the beginning of the end for
the armies of France.
Austria First to Fall.
The train of events which led up
to the outbreak of war last Septem-
Der began March II, 1888 when
German troops marched into Aus
eiin wAtilout OppOSlIlOll.
The following March Hitler. defv-
ing threats of British and French
resistance, took over Czecho-SIovakia
without firing a shot. September /,
1889. he ordered his armies into
Poland, again defying Britain and
France, who proclaimed state of
ws.r with Germany two days later.
The Germans required less than
month to over-run Poland. War
saw fell September % after a
terrific siege that reduced the CITY
to ruins.
April 9. after a winter of compar-
atlVe inactivity, the Germans in
vaded Norway and Denmark, meet
ing no resistance in the latter
country. May 10, they invaded The
Netherlands, Belgium and Luxenl-
bourg.
Holland capitulated in four davs
and Belgium gave up the struggle
IA days later-May 28-paving the
way for the final defeat of the
Allied armies in Flanders and the
pulVerlzing German march on Par.s.
French Army Rated High.
The rapidity with which the Ns7.
bhtzkrieg methods accomplished the
downfall of France amazed militarv
experts, who before the war had
rated the French Army as the best
in the world.
Most observers believe the French
mQHo thnIr orr ieto
posing too great confidence in the
defensive strength of the Maginot
Line and in failing to adapt their
strategy to the German methods
of lightning warfare.
The maximum strength of tho
French Army at the outset of the
war was estimated at 100000 men.
including the air force.
Capitulation of the French land
forces may still leave her navy
second largest in Europe and fourth
largest in the world-a force to be
reckoned with. Earlier British
statements have indicated an ex-
pectation that the navy will con-
tlnue the fight in cooperation with
tlle oTltlSIl.
Far-Flung French Colonies.
France also has an unestimated
number of troops under arms in the
Near East and in her African pos
sessions. Whether they will con-
tinue to fight. and what will become
OF her territories overseas, is mat
ter Of speculation. Her colonial
empire embraces 4613,3l5 square
miles and population of 69,076, ,627.
These possessions include:
In Asia-Syria, French India and
French Indo-China.
In Africa-Morocco, Algeria, Tu-
nisia, French West Africa, Togoland.
CAMERON, French Equatorial Africa.
Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros and
Somalliland.
In the Americas-St. Pierre and
Miquelon Islands; Guadeloupe, Mar
Unique and French Guiana.
In Oceania-New Caledonia and
Tooif