Arras Counter-Attack 1940
On 21 May 1940 during the ill-fated Dunkirk Campaign the British launched an operation spearheaded by two tank regiments to help secure the city of Arras. This was the only significant armored operation mounted by the British during the campaign.Poorly coordinated and starting badly, the Matilda tanks ran into the flanks of Rommel’s over-extended 7th Panzer Division. With the German antitank guns, unable to penetrate the armor of the British tanks, Rommel’s infantry fell into chaos as the Matildas plunged deep into their flank. The Germans were machine-gunned and started to surrender in large numbers but with the British infantry lagging well behind, fighting their own battles in the villages, there was no one to round them up.Into this scene of chaos entered Rommel whose personal leadership and example started to steady his troops and organize an effective response, despite being spattered with the brains of his aide de camp. This was classic Rommel but in the aftermath, he claimed to have been attacked by five divisions.The Arras counterattack contributed to Hitler issuing the famous ‘halt order’ to his Panzers that arguably did much to allow the British Army to withdraw to Dunkirk and escape total destruction.
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Arras Counter-Attack 1940
On 21 May 1940 during the ill-fated Dunkirk Campaign the British launched an operation spearheaded by two tank regiments to help secure the city of Arras. This was the only significant armored operation mounted by the British during the campaign.Poorly coordinated and starting badly, the Matilda tanks ran into the flanks of Rommel’s over-extended 7th Panzer Division. With the German antitank guns, unable to penetrate the armor of the British tanks, Rommel’s infantry fell into chaos as the Matildas plunged deep into their flank. The Germans were machine-gunned and started to surrender in large numbers but with the British infantry lagging well behind, fighting their own battles in the villages, there was no one to round them up.Into this scene of chaos entered Rommel whose personal leadership and example started to steady his troops and organize an effective response, despite being spattered with the brains of his aide de camp. This was classic Rommel but in the aftermath, he claimed to have been attacked by five divisions.The Arras counterattack contributed to Hitler issuing the famous ‘halt order’ to his Panzers that arguably did much to allow the British Army to withdraw to Dunkirk and escape total destruction.
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Arras Counter-Attack 1940

Arras Counter-Attack 1940

by Tim Saunders
Arras Counter-Attack 1940

Arras Counter-Attack 1940

by Tim Saunders

Overview

On 21 May 1940 during the ill-fated Dunkirk Campaign the British launched an operation spearheaded by two tank regiments to help secure the city of Arras. This was the only significant armored operation mounted by the British during the campaign.Poorly coordinated and starting badly, the Matilda tanks ran into the flanks of Rommel’s over-extended 7th Panzer Division. With the German antitank guns, unable to penetrate the armor of the British tanks, Rommel’s infantry fell into chaos as the Matildas plunged deep into their flank. The Germans were machine-gunned and started to surrender in large numbers but with the British infantry lagging well behind, fighting their own battles in the villages, there was no one to round them up.Into this scene of chaos entered Rommel whose personal leadership and example started to steady his troops and organize an effective response, despite being spattered with the brains of his aide de camp. This was classic Rommel but in the aftermath, he claimed to have been attacked by five divisions.The Arras counterattack contributed to Hitler issuing the famous ‘halt order’ to his Panzers that arguably did much to allow the British Army to withdraw to Dunkirk and escape total destruction.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473889125
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 02/21/2019
Series: Battleground II
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tim Saunders served as an infantry officer with the British Army for thirty years, during which time he took the opportunity to visit campaigns far and wide, from ancient to modern. Since leaving the Army he has become a full time military historian, with this being his sixteenth book, has made nearly fifty full documentary films with Battlefield History and Pen & Sword. He is an active guide and Accredited Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Introduction vii

Chapter 1 Between the Wars 1

Chapter 2 The Development of Fall Gelb 16

Chapter 3 Blitzkrieg 37

Chapter 4 The British Expeditionary Force 47

Chapter 5 Concentration and Orders 59

Chapter 6 March to the Start Line 77

Chapter 7 The Left Column's Battle 92

Chapter 8 The Right Column's Battle 111

Chapter 9 The Withdrawal 128

Chapter 10 Aftermath of Battle 142

Chapter 11 The Canal Line 155

Tour: Battlefield Tour Information and Navigational Data 179

Appendix I First Army Tank Brigade Operation Order No. 6 187

Appendix II The 7th Panzer Division: Order of Battle 189

Appendix III Analysis of the Operation 193

Appendix IV The 'Arras Counter-Attack' and the Halt Order 197

Index 200

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