Quote:
Originally Posted by Herr Oberst
I couldn't disagree with you more. The French lines of communication were sadly inadequate. The top eschelon of leadership were far from capable and that left the French soldier with a distinct disadvantage. The German's with their Autobahns and rail systems, not to mention their superior Luftwaffe that would allow free reign for air drops of men and supplies, would come as they pleased. Germany Artillery could and did have a devastating effect on the maginot line. It takes some time to build bridges, enough for French Armor, if used correctly en mass, to cause problems with the movement of supplies. So the RAF was correct in wanting to hit the bridges on the Meuse. Hitler was able to move men and machines at a far greater rate than his foes early in the war, so unless the Allies had attacked when Germans were engaged in Poland, all else would remain the same.
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About bombing the Meuse bridges? I didn't say it was a bad idea. I meant that in this what-if scenario that the RAF would have been free to do other things.
As far as all of Germany's other advantages: their transportation system ended at the border (and the autobahn wouldn't have been much help), their artillery was inferior to the French, and their airborne capabilities were not so great (see Crete). The French high command was not completely inept and actually did figure out a decent counterstrike plan, though too little too late. Against Italy the French did just fine.