Arras 21st May, 1940

The Allies 1939-1945, and those fighting against Germany.

Moderator: John W. Howard

User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6960
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Arras 21st May, 1940

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more follows..............

The Battle for Arras.

In its initial stage the battle was developing very successfully. The left column was doing excellently, disabling a great number of enemy tanks and capturing 400 prisoners. The Germans suffered a great many casualties in men killed. The right column at first also advanced somewhat, but then it was stopped by strong enemy forces and in addition, this column was placed in a difficult situation by the confused action of the French armored division, which mistook the British forces for the Germans and opened fire against the former.

At 6:00 PM on 22 May, it became evident that further advance is impossible. Reconnaissance had discovered that German reinforcements, consisting of motorized infantry and tank units, are moving up along the road from Cambrai. A part of the advancing enemy forces was destroyed by fire. Strong counterattacks were made from the region of antitank fortifications, organized by both British columns at Beaurains and Warlus. However, the pressure upon the Allied forces was becoming ever stronger. Simultaneously the enemy made a number of efforts to effect a crossing of the la Scarpe river.

Sources: The Battle for Arras. [“Bor’ba za Arras”. Translated from the Russian by Lieutenant Joseph Dasher, ORC, from Krasnaya Zvyezda, 22 November1940]. Foreign Military Digests. Vol XXI. Nº 81.
http://souvenirfrancaisarras.com/node/70

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
http://www.speculumtemporis.de/panzerregiment25/arras21.htm
http://www.speculumtemporis.de/panzerregiment25/arras21.htm
image014.jpg (72.61 KiB) Viewed 5857 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6960
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Arras 21st May, 1940

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; the end..............

The Battle for Arras.

Due to the numerical superiority of the enemy both columns began retreating to the north of the city. The forces of General Petret began to realize that they will not be able to hold Arras much longer. In a situation such as existed at Arras, with the greater part of the city in flames, and with the hourly dive bombing attacks, the defense was becoming increasingly difficult. German units had already reached the suburbs and there was some talk of organizing the final stand at the railroad station.

At 1:30 AM on 24 May a messenger from General Gort brought to General Petret the order to retreat. Only two hours remained before dawn, but the evacuation of the city took place in the fullest order. The units began retreating along the road to Douai; however just outside the limits of Arras it was found that the bridge across the la Scarpe river was prematurely blown up. At first this was regarded as a disaster. Later, however, this was found to be extremely fortunate because a reconnaissance detail consisting of some 20 men, which had crossed the river over the demolished bridge, had been captured by the Germans who had arranged an ambush on this very road. Thereupon, the retreating units were transferred to the only remaining road leading to Henin. By then the Germans had completely encircled Arras.

During the whole morning the units of General Petret, together with the remains of the 5th and 50th Divisions, were moving in a solid mass along this narrow road. Thanks to a turn of good luck there was not one German plane to be seen in the sky and the British units reached the region north of Douai without losses.

Sources: The Battle for Arras. [“Bor’ba za Arras”. Translated from the Russian by Lieutenant Joseph Dasher, ORC, from Krasnaya Zvyezda, 22 November1940]. Foreign Military Digests. Vol XXI. Nº 81.
http://souvenirfrancaisarras.com/node/70

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The Germans in Arras..........................
The Germans in Arras..........................
image014.jpg (47.05 KiB) Viewed 5816 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
User avatar
Liam
Enthusiast
Posts: 478
Joined: Thu Oct 03, 2002 5:17 am

Re: Arras 21st May, 1940

Post by Liam »

Here is the link to the Richard Holmes programme if nobody posted it before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg7Nl6C4px8
Hitler...there was a painter! He could paint an entire apartment in ONE afternoon! TWO coats!! Mel Brooks, The Producers
User avatar
tigre
Patron
Posts: 6960
Joined: Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:42 pm
Location: Argentina

Re: Arras 21st May, 1940

Post by tigre »

Thanks Liam :wink:. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
Post Reply