0527_01: The 1st Armoured Division Attacks_Alt - PzC 12 France '40

Abbeville, France, 27th May 1940: While Dunkerque retained the focus of the world, the French High command worried about the next phase of the campaign. German infantry established a bridgehead across the Somme River in the vicinity of Abbeville. The French High Command was determined to mount a counteroffensive to eliminate this bridgehead and thus hold the Somme River at all costs. At dawn on May 27th, one British armored division and two French under strength light cavalry divisions began their counterattack against what was believed were recon elements screening the bridgehead. The Anglo-French units were in for a shock as they made contact with the veteran 2nd Motorized Infantry Division and in only a few hours over 100 tanks allied tanks were destroyed. The lack of coordination between the French infantry and British armor as well as the absence of a sound armor doctrine will lead to a catastrophe. [Size small]