Divide and Conquer

The film discusses the German plan for the defeat of Europe beginning on 3 September 1939 with the German invasion of Poland: When the British and French declared war on Germany, the German army had already been training for six years. The first goal of the German army was to break the British naval blockade. The neutral countries of Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg stood between Germany and the sea. Although in his speech of 6 October 1939, Chancellor Adolf Hitler promised to respect the neutrality of these countries, six months later the German army invaded Denmark. Using what appeared to be merchant ships, the Germans ferried men and weapons into Norway. Once inside that country's boundaries, aided by the traitorous politician Vidkun Quisling, the Germans launched an attack that drove the Norwegian forces north. The British navy joined the battle against the Germans, but the Nazis' superior air power gave them the advantage, and one arm of the pincer movement against Britain was complete. Now the Germans turned toward France to complete the circle around Britain. The film then briefly discusses France's military strategy during World War I. At the beginning of World War II, French military leaders put their faith in the fortified Maginot Line, and rather than attack, planned a defensive strategy. Before the actual advance, Hitler used sabotage and propoganda to undermine French morale. The Allies expected the Germans to approach through the low countries, avoiding the mountainous terrain of the Forest of the Ardennes, but without declaring war, the Germans launched an assault along their borders with Holland and Belgium. Allied troops moved out to meet the Germans, their progress made more difficult by encounters with fleeing refugees. Unexpectedly, the main German attack came from the Ardennes while the bulk of Allied troops fought in the low countries. Because of their efficient organization, the Germans moved extremely quickly, and the Allies did not have the means to counterattack. One entire division of British soldiers was backed against the sea at Dunkerque, where they were rescued by a massive civilian effort. Meanwhile two-fifths of the French army was lost. Benito Mussolini's Italian forces advanced from the south. On 16 June 1940, General Pétain asked for an armistice. Almost two million French prisoners of war were taken to Germany as hostages to work under conditions that approached slavery, and a tax of four hundred million francs a day was instituted. With most of France under military occupation, the hope of the French was with General Charles De Gaulle, head of the Free French Army in northern Africa. The film ends with a call for the total defeat of the German Army.