Quote:
Originally Posted by csThor
As I said the BoF was a defeat for the Allies - regardless of the local successes. This is probably why it was put on the back shelf compared to the BoB - few people like to be taught about past defeats.
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Well I find the BoF very interesting, precisely because I don't understand it. Even today, historians cannot agree on the motives or reasons for every thrust and counterthrust of the campaign. It seems to me it played out much like a six week chess game - not so much a defeat of arms as a collapse of resolve (by some poorly equipped French and Belgian units) and a recognition of impending defeat (by the BEF) leading to withdrawal from the theatre. A victory for speed of manoeuvre and aerial support of infantry.
But I don't think it's ignored because it was a defeat (though I believe French society still prefers not to discuss the BoF) - it's more probably because the campaign was so short (10 May - 25 June 1940). There are only so many times one can bomb the three bridges over the Meuse without it getting a little 'samey'.