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PENTAGOET S.A.
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France 1940 - Order of Battle
France 1940 Order of Battle
The Pentagoet History of France 1940 incorporates a comprehensive Order of Battle of ground and air units, and the armored vehicles and aircraft participating in the battle. This includes strength, organization, ships (including detailed descriptions and photographs of the armored vehicles and aircraft in question), leadership, comments and losses in the French 1940 campaign. also incorporated are internet links to unit histories. All Order-of-Battle information is interlinked and heirarchical, as well as integrated into the maps and history.
 
Sample Units
 
  Dutch Army  
The organisation of Dutch ground forces as of 10 May 1940
 
 
  Germany
Army Group A		  
German Army Group 'A' as of 10 May.
 
  Great Britain
Advanced Air Striking Force		  
The Organization of the RAF's Advance Air Striking Force on 10 May.
 
  Belgium
II Infantry Corps		  
The Belgian II Corps' organization
 
  German
XIX Motorized Corps		  
XIX Motorized Corps, commanded by German General GUDERIAN, led the push through Luxembourg and southern Belgium, fought its way across the Meuse, then broke through French defenses and surged to the English Channel, cutting off Allied forces in the North.
 
  Germany
IV Air Corps		  
The German IV Air Corps supported Air Fleet 2, atached to German Army Group B
 
  France
X Infantry Corps		  
It was the French X Infantry Corps that German XIX Motorized Corps overwhelmed at Sedan on 13-14 May. It had some good units, but they weren't where they were needed when the time came.
 
  France
1st North African Infantry Division		  
This was a very good, tough infantry division, comprising mainly Algerian infantry with French supporting services. It was part of the French 1st Army, which says much for its quality and performance.
 
  Germany
1st Panzer Division		  
Probably the best-led, if not the best-equipped, division of the campaign, this unit was the spearhead of the German offensive that achieved all its assigned objectives.
 
  British
1st Army Tank Brigade		  
This was the main tank element of the British Expeditionary Force and provided the armor for the limited Allied counter-offensive around Arras. It comprised mainly infantry tanks and, as such, rarely moved independantly of the infantry divisions.
 
 

British
Infantry Battalion Table of Organization and Equiment

  
This was the (theoretical) table of organization and equipiment (TO&E) of a 1940 British infantry battalion. Actual manpower and equipment tended to be lower (often much lower) than this as the campaign developed.
 
 

Netherlands
Infantry Regiment Table of Organization and Equiment

  
This was the (theoretical) table of organization and equipiment (TO&E) of a 1940 Dutch infantry regiment. actual manning and equipment varied significantly, particularly between active and reserve units.
 
 
 

German
Type E Tank Battalion Table of Organization and Equiment

  
This was typical TO&E of a German tank battalion - over which there were many types. Because of the shortage of tanks, andf the hodgepodge of typres available, organization was adapted to the nunber and type of tanks available.
 
 
 

France
Armored Cavalry Regiment Table of Organization and Equiment

  
This was the (theoretical) table of organization and equipiment (TO&E) of a 1940 French Armored Cavalry Regiment constituting a French DLM (Light Mechanized Division)
 
 
  Germany
Junkers Ju 87		  
The Stuka was the premier German tactical support aircraft in 1940. Although it served throughout the war, 1940 was its heyday and these played a ket role in the crossing of the Meuse River at Sedan.
 
 
  Great Britain
Hawker Siddely Hurricane Mk I
(Fighter)		  
Although soon to be outshone by the Spitfire, the Hurricane was the backbone of the British fighter force, and the best available in France. It could hold its own against any contemporary German fighter.
 
 
  France
Morane Saulnier m.s.406
(Fighter)		  
This was one of several French designs that struggled with the Luftwaffe in May and June 1940. It was somewhat at a disadvantage to the German Messerschmitts but could go after bombers.
 
 
  France
Renault R35		  
In terms of armament and protection, this French tank design was as good, if not better, than any German tank in the campaign. It's lack of a two-man turret and radios severely limited its effectiveness.
 
 
  Germany
PzKw 35(t)		  
Siezed when HITLER took over Czechoslovakia, this was a good tank, even better when compared with its competitors. It was so effective that the German Army incorproated hundreds of these into their ten panzer divisions in time to render good service in France.
 
 
  French
AMR-33		  
This was an aging French Cavalry vehicle. As with the tanks, its ability to fulfill its reconnaissance or screening role was compromised by its lack of a radio per vehicle.
 
 
  Great Britain
Morris CS 9		  
Although an old design, this British Armored Car gave a good account of itself and was used effectively by the BEF in France.