Conscripted into the French army,
Steve is taken from Paris to Audiern
June 1 to June 19, 1940
Summary: Steve's story began in Paris when Le Ministere de l' Armement arranged for Steve to be a driver of heavy trucks in Nantes. He only needed a sauf conduire, a travel permit, but was mistakenly, and against his protest, sent to be a soldier for the French Army in Audierne at Cap Finistere, Britagne. Life was pretty good in the camp, he was voted the leader of his group and became the cook for 500 soldiers. After a few weeks, they realized that Britagne had been cut off, they were captured by the Germans on June 19, 1940.
Historical Context
To see graphically what happened during these few days in France click here. It's interesting because while Steve is enjoying his election as group leader, building a fireplace for the mess hall, and cooking goulash for 500 soldiers, all of France is invaded.
Steve was sent to Audierne just before the citizens of Paris were fleeing and soldiers were being rescued from Dunkirk, the most northerly point of France. By June 2 the evacuation at Dunkirk was finished bringing the total rescued to 224,686 British, 121,445 Belgian and French troops. The next day, while Paris was being bombed, the Germans also came to Dunkirk. They captured 40,000 French prisoners and hugh quantities of abandoned equipment including 84,000 vehicles, 2,500 guns and 650,000 tons of supplies and amunition. In addition more than 200 ships and 177 aircraft were lost (Germans lost 140 aircraft) during the evacuation itself.
During the following ten days the German troops entered Paris and Bretagne was cut off. Steve got word that they were cut off but his Captain assured them that they would have to opportuity to leave. It never happened. Unknown to them, on June 10th, Norway surrendered to the Nazis; Italy declared war on Britain and France and the French government of Premier Reynaud, left Paris for Tours.
By June 14, the Germans had entered Paris as Rommel's 7th Panzer Division took Le Havre. The French government moved again, this time from Tours to Bordeaux. The Germans with 24 divisions, prepared to cross the upper Rhine to attack the Maginot Line in Alsace. Any remaining British troops in France were ordered to return to England.
June 15, 1940: Germans take Verdun. German forces of the 7th Army cross the Rhine river and break into the Maginot Line above Strasbourg. 30,600 more British and Canadian troops are evacuated from Cherbourg, Brest and St. Malo.
On June 16: The French government of Paul Reynaud resigns and was replaced by one led by Marshal P�tain as Prime Minister. French front started cracking as the Germans break through in Champagne to Dijon, with units of 19th Panzer Korps reaching Besancon on the Swiss border. German forces, supported by heavy artillery and Stuka dive bombers, continue their assault against the Maginot Line on a broad front. As the Germans chased the British to Nantes and St. Nazaire, 57,000 more troops were evacuated.
The speed and the violence of the assault was staggering and completely took the French off guard. On June 17, German troops crossed the Loire River near Orleans and P�tain ordered his troops to stop fighting. He requested honourable peace terms from the Germans and Italians.
The following day French Army was in general retreat as German troops capture Le Mans and Cherbourg, effectively cutting off any further evacuations. The garrisons of Belfort, Metz and Dijon surrender. Hitler meets with Mussolini for tea in Munich to chat about the French request for peace.
On June 19, it's reported that the Germans invited the French to send a representative to discuss armistice terms as German troops reach River Loire and Tours. They had advanced on Lyons, capturing Strasbourg, and most importantly to our story, Brest, just north of Steve's camp. It was in the afternoon of that day that his camp was invaded and he escaped two hours later.
To continue the story, click here. Steve tells about life in the French camp, his capture and his escape.
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