0529_01: The Cauldron of Lille - PzC 12 France '40
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| Rating: | 0 (0) |
| Games Played: | 0 |
| SM: | 3 |
| Turns: | 26 |
| Type: | Stock |
| First Side: | Axis |
| Second Side: | Allies |
The Battle of Lille, 29 May 1940: On May 26th the BEF and the 1re armée began to retreat toward
the Lys River. For the BEF and the French IIIe CA, this withdrawal could be carried out with little
difficulty. For the southernmost French corps, IVe and Ve CA, this maneuver was extremely
hazardous. These corps occupied a vulnerable salient far south of the Lys and would first have to
cross the Deûle Canal. As the Panzers pressed in from the west and the German infantry from the
east, these battered army corps were threatened with encirclement. The men were exhausted from
nearly two weeks of fighting and marching and, as one road after another fell to the enemy, the
various units become hopelessly compressed and tangled just south of Lille. On May 27th
Rommel's 7. Panzer-Division interposed itself between Lille and Armentière and the last roads to
the Lys were closed. Général Molinié, commander of 25e DIM, took charge of the encircled French.
All breakout efforts failed and, late in the morning of May 29th, Molinié concluded that there was
no choice but to fight a defensive battle. Low on ammunition and rations the French defenders
could not hope to hold off the Germans indefinitely, but their sacrifice would help buy the
evacuating troops at Dunkerque precious time...[Size: Small]
the Lys River. For the BEF and the French IIIe CA, this withdrawal could be carried out with little
difficulty. For the southernmost French corps, IVe and Ve CA, this maneuver was extremely
hazardous. These corps occupied a vulnerable salient far south of the Lys and would first have to
cross the Deûle Canal. As the Panzers pressed in from the west and the German infantry from the
east, these battered army corps were threatened with encirclement. The men were exhausted from
nearly two weeks of fighting and marching and, as one road after another fell to the enemy, the
various units become hopelessly compressed and tangled just south of Lille. On May 27th
Rommel's 7. Panzer-Division interposed itself between Lille and Armentière and the last roads to
the Lys were closed. Général Molinié, commander of 25e DIM, took charge of the encircled French.
All breakout efforts failed and, late in the morning of May 29th, Molinié concluded that there was
no choice but to fight a defensive battle. Low on ammunition and rations the French defenders
could not hope to hold off the Germans indefinitely, but their sacrifice would help buy the
evacuating troops at Dunkerque precious time...[Size: Small]
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