038 - Blitzkrieg in the West - The Invasion of France - WW2 - May 18 1940

[@WorldWarTwo]

This is the longest weekly episode of our World War Two series to this date, and boy are we proud. We made sure to make this the absolute best it could possibly be. After last weeks episode of WW2, it was hard to imagine that Eastory could surpass his efforts for that episode anytime soon, but it took him one week. Iryna, our editor in Warsaw, did an amazing job with putting together this episode. We hope you like it as much as we do. Thanks for your ongoing support and if you don't already, please consider supporting us on Patreon. By the way, we have an Instagram feed where we dedicate one post per day of the war, which allows us to give some topics a little more attention, like the invasion of the Netherlands. You can check them out here: 11 May 1940 - Germans attack Dutch positions on the Grebbeberg and the Grebbeline: instagram.com/p/BxVBQcwnHAs/ 12 May 1940 - Three German Panzer divisions approach Sedan to Force a breakthrough into France: instagram.com/p/BxYS8XqHdTh/ 13 May 1940 - The Battle of the Grebbeberg ends in a German victory, allowing them to push into Holland: instagram.com/p/Bxauq9HnqOW/ 14 May 1940 - German bombers destroy the inner city of Rotterdam while peace talks are going on: instagram.com/p/Bxc7zreiXo8/ 15 May 1940 - The French fight a successful but practically meaningless battle at Gembloux: instagram.com/p/BxfGP1qCzV9/ 16 May 1940 - Guderian rapidly moves westward, showing the full potential of tank-warfare: instagram.com/p/BxhxvyDClbY/

[@WorldWarTwo]

@CommandoDude A breeze? Considering that he does the animations for two videos a week and that this added half a weekly workload, this was quite a demanding episode for him

[@WorldWarTwo]

yes, for sure! But I still wouldn't call it a breeze, considering the limited time he has to research/animate them.

[@luxembourgishempire2826]

@@WorldWarTwo I love this series

[@babomb2146]

Can one of u guys take the time to update the Wikipedia page for the Maginot line based off what u found out on ur road trip cause right now it literally says 'the maginot line didn’t extend to the channel' which completely contradicts what u experienced

[@konstantinriumin2657]

You have typo in Churchill's speech - "Ordeal of [t]he most grievous "

[@angelocortez4471]

Hötzendorf Hötzendor Hutzendor Hutzengor Hutzenger Huntzenger Huntzinger *HUNTZIGER*

[@Huntracony]

Hötzendorf Hötzendor Hotzendor Hothendor Holthendor Holdthendor Holdthedoor *HODOR*

[@HikaruGunner]

Illuminati confirmed!

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

Angelo Cortez 😲

[@sirbillius]

Angelo Cortez I was exactly thinking that. “Oh so he’s a French Conrad von Hötzendorf.”

[@martonk]

It all fell to place

[@grishnikov48]

Wow, what an extremely well produced episode. Top tier quality.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks for your kind comment! We're proud as well:)

[@adamwilliams1216]

Grishnikov I tell them that all the time and I never get a heart. 😢

[@beardymonger]

@@WorldWarTwo If i could only give more then one like to a video, thank you for your work.

[@WorldWarTwo]

@@adamwilliams1216 Better late than never...

[@adamwilliams1216]

World War Two so I know its the wrong war and the wrong channel but in the first ww1 did France and England Belgium etc.. did they ever try or plan an all out offensive across the entire western front, or 4 that matter get Russia and Italy 2 attack as well? I don't think they did but y'all know way more about the conflict than I do. please still answer my question oh great chair of wisdom indy and crew. thank u. for the 💓. I will b a faithfull watcher for the next 6yrs and what ever other conflict y'all do next. goodbye and b.safe. (oh p.s. I'm not from Texas I'm from vegas I just like saying y'all ) auf wiedersehen

[@MarvinCZ]

General Huntziger played a key role in defeating the French defences at Sedan. That sounds normal. But then you realize, he's actually a French general, not a German one.

[@stephenmcdonagh2795]

lol.

[@mireillelebeau2513]

He was of German descent, though not a traitor just a racist incompetent man. The french prononciation of his name sounds more like " Huntsigay"

[@DarthNoox]

Conrad would be proud

[@alexgaelsotorodriguez3870]

@@mireillelebeau2513 I wouldn't be surprised if he deliberately neglected his duties because he actually wanted the Germans to win, he was very much in favour of fascism.

[@cortomaltese5038]

@@alexgaelsotorodriguez3870 Or he was afraid of Stukas killing his own men without French/British air support. Check what happened to Poland and USSR in 1939/40. If French command was capable they would have backup and second line of defence.

[@Aakkosti]

If the Germans had had Eastory’s maps in 1914, that war would have been over by Christmas.

[@dejan3366]

I love eastory!! ☺

[@HistoryMatters]

The set design and Indy's outfits are always so great on this. Crazy to think there's another five years to go. Also the editing and sound design on this episode are fantastic.

[@micahistory]

Hi, I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL

[@joffreybaratheon9044]

1940 and france is falling the way you always begin an video

[@milanmajster5164]

1940 and Hötzendorf is back

[@victorg3100]

1940 and France iS dEaD *ploft

[@victorg3100]

1940 and France iS dEaD *ploft

[@SovietDoge]

20 minutes of high quality animations, maps and information. Three words: I - L O V E - I T

[@Masada1911]

Soviet Doge I love your picture and account lol. Great stuff

[@SovietDoge]

@@Masada1911 Thank you comrade

[@neilwilson5785]

Superb!

[@grishnikov48]

*Germany goes through Belgium* Aw shit here we go again

[@zlatko8051]

Merde.

[@uhavedied12334557]

In the immortal words of Othais, war were declared (for real this time)

[@mabussubam512]

" All you had to do was to build up your defenses Huntziger! "

[@seneca983]

"Lest we forget, when Europe goes far right, they go far right through Belgium." -John Oliver

[@Slod_De_Squatchmosis]

Germany beat France worse than Russia did over and over again

[@moosemaimer]

"The tortoise has protruded his head dangerously far from the shell." They do that when they bite.

[@Rabidus289]

This offensive sure as shit is not a slow moving tortoise.

[@dogeyt5995]

I just shouted “oooohhhh” my mom almost killed me 😂

[@pastajensen]

@@Rabidus289 a slow build-up and then.. SNAP!

[@donpacificbobcat9er615]

Rabidus kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKDMi4d9i6uFpZo What about a turtle?

[@bootymane9907]

@@Rabidus289 Bruh I hate Hitler as a person but being the analytical guy I am I can't believe that Hitler was stupid enough to attack Stalin. Everybody always says that Stalin would have eventually attacked Hitler but I really don't believe thats true. Because the Soviet Unions last 2 wars with the Polish and the Finnish, the Soviets confidence in themselves was abismally low. And Stalin was there for both crushing defeats, meanwhile Germany has just pulled off 3 incredibly well executed military spectacles in europe Poland, Norway and France/Benelux countries. I see Stalin attacking middle eastern countries for easy wins and avoiding Hitler and then once Stalins dead it will be hard to find another Soviet leader who won't just take a defensive strategy. This would give Hitler enough time to bomb Britain into peace terms as it would just get ridiculous after a while. And even if Stalin did invade he had to ram troops and tanks into the Finnish line which may have had winter and terrain on its side but lacked pretty much everything else an army needs to be successful including sleep. The german front would be way better fortified Germany could rotate veteran troops at will all of which would be very well equipped. And they would be in a defensive posture this could lead to likr 3x the casualties of the real German-Soviet War before Germany even goes on the offensive. Stalin would wear out his ranks ramming into Germanys defenses and then Germany could just blitz in and encircle the exhausted front line and either push further or fall back to their line and repeat the strategy. Also WW2 is over so the Soviets may recieve some lend lease but not nearly as much as the allies wouldn't have revved up war economies anymore. So the Soviets would end up loosing 10s of millions of people all in all. Germany did not need to premptively attack Stalin lacked offensive capabilities. Even decades later the Soviets failed at a full scale invasion of Afghanistan and they have an actual front line with them. You can say America struggled to but we attacked just from friendly territory and use only a fraction of our military but we are still beating them just slowly and deliberately to reduce casualties. The Soviets couldn't invade Germany no way. Hitler would have won WW2 had he not launched Barbarossa.

[@raemont1328]

Wow, that worked? - Every German General 1940

[@TheCimbrianBull]

*surprised Pikachu meme*

[@LucioFercho]

@@JustBCWi Nope, Rommel fought in France first and then in Italy.

[@JustBCWi]

trauko1388 he’d to recheck. You are right. :(

[@M.M.83-U]

@@LucioFercho and Romania

[@LucioFercho]

@@M.M.83-U Right!

[@gcircle]

Could Huntziger be a candidate for "Hotzendorf of WWII"?

[@michealohaodha9351]

Early days yet ;)

[@thebenis3157]

Man, just wait, Italy hasn't even joined the fight yet

[@jamestang1227]

The Malaya Campaign and the Siege of Singapore may field some more candidates for the Cadorna and Never Pasha positions.

[@RoberttheWise]

@@thebenis3157 Going by the memes we have to expect some weapons grade incompetence when that happens.

[@randomclouds4404]

He was a major Chief of Staff so I would see Hitler or Mussolini as a candidate instead.

[@thoughtfulinsanity3050]

French command: Huntziger we are sending you bombers. Huntziger: Bruh nah I got this.

[@dixieslav1274]

Huntziger: Maginot too strong. Must find weaker place to defend from.

[@jleyyi]

@@dixieslav1274 where's the challenge in defending a strong position am i right?

[@RolfHartmann]

French command sends him armor. Huntzinger: never needed that.

[@merdiolu]

This happened actually : Once first German advance guard and combat engineers crossed Meuse on 13 May 1940 and began demolishing French bunkers , his aides informed Huntziger that 40 or so Germans crossed the river. Huntziger just shrugged "So ? That means we will pick 40 more prisoners"

[@cmdrgarbage1895]

Command: Have some reserves just in case Huntziger: Don't worry, i only need 1000 men and 25 bullets to hold the line

[@randomguy-tg7ok]

Huntziger refused aerial assistance. *WHY!?*

[@thoughtfulinsanity3050]

Bruh nah I got this. -Huntziger probably.

[@punishedgondola1814]

@@thoughtfulinsanity3050 *Pulls back and leaves his heavy weapons behind

[@TheCimbrianBull]

@@punishedgondola1814 He basically ripped off his shirt and did a T-pose in the face of the Germans: "come at me, bro!"

[@FakeAssHandsomeMcGee_]

Me thinks that maybe he was a Nazi supporter or sympathizer.

[@randomguy-tg7ok]

Secret German Agent... surely we'd know about that by now, but it _would_ make sense.

[@colinkelly5420]

So glad you guys are willing to go over the standard time limit for certain episodes. One of my few complaints about the great war series was that certain very busy weeks were crammed into the standard 12 minute episode when they really needed to be a bit longer. Love the maps as well, so excited to see WWII done in this way.

[@Jamie-kg8ig]

Kinda reminds me of that Lenin quote about some years having weeks happen in them and some weeks having years happen.

[@fullmetalfunk]

@@Jamie-kg8ig “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” - V.I. Lenin

[@ceberskie119]

Here we are 4 years later...and this is the standard time limit 🤣

[@louisswanepoel1614]

This episode was 20 min, yet it went by so fast.

[@paulabraham2550]

For Reynaud it lasted 7 days. I bet it felt a bit quick to him too!

[@DATA-qt3nb]

mark of a truly good show/shows

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Yes, fast fast!

[@nerokota]

it was a blitzkrieg episode.

[@thedogdogification]

I originally didn't have that much free time, I thought I'd just watch half the episode for now. Next thing I knew Indy was announcing the end of the week...

[@mitanni0]

What is worse? Showing continuous incompetence like Hötzendorf or Cadorna; or failing catastrophically at a pivotal battle like Huntziger?

[@danielsilhavy930]

Strategically? Failing at a pivotal moment, In human lives however? Continuous incompetence takes the cake

[@thedeadcannotdie]

Are u seriously comparing the man who single handedly started the bloodiest war in history and caused the destruction of great empires (including his own) to a man who lost one pivotal battle?

[@echo_9835]

Continuous for body count, catistrophic for capitulation.

[@tyberfen5009]

dont forget Sir Ian Hamilton and his failures on against the Turks

[@MerlijnDingemanse]

Nothing screams competence like a 475th battle of the Isonzo

[@SovietDoge]

Is Huntizger just Hötzendorf in disguise? Tune in next week to find out.

[@pnutz_2]

hotzendorf has shaved

[@dongblak7048]

Hmmm... Huntziger sounds more like a German name than a French one... Hmmm...

[@neilwilson5785]

@@dongblak7048 Hmmm indeed. Was probably worried about communism, lol. Or not lol :(

[@lewisconroy6225]

All we need now is a Cadorna and the isonzo River can fire up again

[@crimsonstrykr]

Is Huntizger just Hotzendorf in disguise?, Will the French be able to escape the German encirclement?, What did Nevil Chamberlain do with that paper Hitler gave him? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z!!

[@SamAronow]

"We will see Charles Huntziger again." (Looks up Charles Huntziger) Oh dear.

[@traviskopplinger3515]

I'm half German and I just want to slap the cigarette out of Huntziger

[@Solidoaf]

My grandad was there during the bombing of Rotterdam. Never really talked about it, only that he took shelter underneath the staircase with a cooking pan on top of his head and that it was the most ungodly noice he ever witnessed.

[@spartacus-olsson]

Not to make light of the horror of living through bombing raids.... but, Astrid had a great uncle who was in his teens during the war. He had autism and usually didn't speak so much, but one night in late 44 as the air raid sirens went off he came down from his bedroom in pajama and blurted out angrily to his mother "for Christ's sake, can someone please tell the Americans to not make so much noice! It's impossible to sleep around here!" and then he stomped off back to bed. On the darker side, we spoke a lot to people that lived through the raids on both sides and it's just impossible to fathom the absolute horror of it. Astrid's mom who was also in her teens at the time was out doing errands one day when the sirens went off... incendiary bombs were falling around her and it got so hot that her bicycle tires melted before she reached her assigned shelter. A family beckoned for her to join them in their cellar, but something in her just kept her going. She made it to her shelter and when she came out after the raid was over, she walked back along that road, and the family that had invited her in were all being carried out dead from the rubble of that cellar. Sliding doors...

[@Solidoaf]

@@spartacus-olsson that is absolutely insane. Hard to imagine living thru something like that. Also shows how random death in war is, like a equalizer. On a side note: Personal (short) stories like that from people who witnessed it, be it from civilians, soldiers (from both sides), would make a great sub serie. A great way for people to connect more to the realities of this war. And a good way to remember it, the generation who witnessed it has almost died out. Some survivors could still be interviewed I guess

[@Tuning3434]

@@Solidoaf I second this. We act like this war has been long and long history, but most of our grandparents and some of our parents lived to it and might have just has easily died in it. Pretty sure bet that the non-existence of a grandparent would have an effect on your own daily life.

[@stump182]

@@Tuning3434 Yes, it makes this so much more "real" for us youngsters. My grandfather was in WWI, which got me watching The Great War

[@spartacus-olsson]

@Phi6er as soon as we get some more air this will be one of our top priorities!

[@mikked01]

Troops on the Maginot line: "Sir, we're slowly losing this fight but we're buying absolutely vital time for our forces, as was our design intent!" Huntzinger: "Ok, fall back to entirely untenable positions!" Troops: "...ffs."

[@bingobongo1615]

SuperKami Guru I think one needs to be more fair to Huntzinger here. He was facing extremely more powerful enemy forces. A retreat to save his army is a pretty natural thing to do here. He failed to really understand the importance of delaying the Germans though

[@Madhattersinjeans]

@@bingobongo1615 I'm not sure retreat is the natural thing to do. It's the greedy thing to do. By holding them back and not retreating they may have had a better chance for the reserves to reposition and properly counter attack in future. Then again, the French command believed the Germans would swing toward Paris and have put all their chips into this gamble, not realising the real threat is about to cut off and destroy the pocket to the North. It's a catastrophic military decision to throw in reserves this early when the line hasn't been properly secured.

[@bingobongo1615]

Mad Hatters in jeans Which reserves? If his forced would have been destroyed not a lot of french troops would have instantly be available to stop the Germans. He was thinking in WW1 terms - during the Kaiserschlacht the British fell back time after time but managed to set up new defenses. In WW2 it didnt work that well...

[@calebshoemaker]

Actual historic documentation

[@Mondo762]

Damn, I thought Huntziger was fighting for the Germans but noooo he's a French general.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Yeah, but I do agree that his actions and the pronunciation of his name make him sound German

[@seeyouchump]

@@WorldWarTwo He is actually of German descent

[@jamespolk1925]

Planet Nine uhhhhhhhhh you’re in for a shock

[@spartacus-olsson]

@@seeyouchump so is most of the people in Eastern France, just as most of Western Germany is of "French descent". To say "of X descent" is a senseless distinction in Europe, especially in the border lands. Every single European is a direct descendant of Charlemagne - I'm not even kidding.

[@TDPDK1]

@@spartacus-olsson but... Isn't Charlemagne not part of the Frankish tribe which is a germanic tribe, so technically.. They are all German

[@PhonciblePBonehimself]

Seems to me a great opportunity to market Huntzikersocks ... Hötzensocks is so 1915

[@WorldWarTwo]

Perhaps later

[@tinyman1144]

Hotzensocks are timeless fashion!

[@klavakkhazga3996]

Timoshensocks sounds better!

[@WhitishSine8]

Huntziger is the new Hotzendorf

[@shrillbert]

I still think Auchinsocks are where its at, since Auchinleck was just as inept as Huntzinger now and Conrad before him.

[@gunman47]

The Tour de France of 1940 is now in full swing, with the 7th Panzer Division (Ghost Division) seemingly leading at the front of the race. Surely nothing can stop them now from getting to Dunkirk and the finish line? By the way, a shoutout to Indy and team, great video here, enjoyed the double length episode and boy, some unexpected facts and surprises there. Looks like we'll be in for more surprises soon!

[@mutantmacrophage6653]

Thus earning the name, earning the fame...

[@edh9999]

@@mutantmacrophage6653 They are the panzer elite, born to compete, never retreat (ghost division)

[@Asumokagos]

I'm sorry to spoil your fun, but Soviets have already crossed Finnish line

[@mutantmacrophage6653]

@@edh9999 Living or dead, always ahead, fed by your dread

[@lhaviland8602]

@@Asumokagos Oof.

[@sako5751]

6:52 Whats up with that one spot that the Belgians still hold while the germans are already pushing deeper into Belgium?

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thats the fortified city of Namur (Belgium), which was easily outflanked and bypassed by the Germans. It hold out a little longer than the rest of the Belgian lines.

[@SamAronow]

@@WorldWarTwo Also where Uncle Toby was wounded in a most delicate area!

[@Huntracony]

I'm sure that they'd normally spend a minute or two on that, reciting different accounts of the siege and the final surrender or capture. Maybe they'd just summarize it in half a minute on a busy week. But not this week. This double-length week is big enough that it's reduced to nothing more than a spot on a map.

[@timmmahhhh]

Thanks, I noticed that too but I got so in to the rest of the video that I forgot to ask.

[@cristobalpatino3256]

They resisted and bit

[@rogerwilco2]

"The Dutch only hold out for a few more days" I wished you would have given a few words to the battle at the Grebbeberg, the third major battle besides Rotterdam and the Afsluitdijk. My country was woefully unprepared for 20th century warfare, but the soldiers did fight valiantly with what they had at those main three battle fronts.

[@robinl4975]

This series is probably the best WW2 docu-series here on YT. In my opinion, this show is something that easily could be shown on tv, like Discovery or something like that. What i like the most is that you show events from both sides, and you can tell how much research goes into every episode, keep it up! :)

[@loke72]

you are so right sir this is white question the best WW2Docomentry i ever seen. and i have been a ww2 buff in over 30 years .I eat drink sleep ww2 somedays when I really get in the zone even have one Luger replica. 😎 This is my passion.

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Hold on, I need to get some popcorn for this one.

[@cobbler9113]

At this point, the only Allied Command that is coming away with any dignity after any kind of scrutiny is the Royal Navy. Everyone else is just failing the men under their command (as well as their allies) quite spectacularly. In Huntziger, have we now found our WWII Hotzendorf? Oh, and fabulous job by the way, just excellent in every way.

[@cobbler9113]

@CommandoDude Not saying it did everything right, but it got in a few victories, including against the Graf Spee and dealt a lot of damage to the Kriegsmarine in the Norway campaign. I wish I had ordered those :(

[@noobster4779]

The royal navy allowed the german navy to drive by it unopposed with a huge middlefinger right up to Narvik. Something thought nearly impossible during WW1. They allowed the germans to pull of one of the biggest (at that point) and most impressive naval invasion despite having absolut naval supiriority. And dont get me even started on the evacuation of norway..

[@merdiolu]

@@noobster4779 Actually evacuation of Norway had been sucessful for Allies. Germans were unable to stop it. Royal Navy even evacuated Norwegian Royal Family , goverment (whch set in exile at London) , entire Norwegian gold reserves , crown jewels , considerable number of Norwegian volunteers and their own troops in addition and wrecked Narvik harbour (stopped iron ore shipment from there for six months , unfortunetely for Allies during this time due to summer period Baltic rote for naval transportation from Sweden was open) . German invasions success in Norway was partially due to their direct violation of Norwegian neutrality (which never been invaded before) and unexpected attack when Norwegians were not even aware they had been at war and totally unmobilised.

[@cobbler9113]

@Phi6er To be fair I was reading The Second World War by Beevor and Indy was perhaps a bit harsh as Huntzinger did inherit the crap regiments such as the older reservists known for their insubordination. During the attack, while obviously mistaken, it is also understandable why he moved to protect the Maginot Line and he is far from the only cause of the failure here.

[@bkjeong4302]

Simon Turner Oh just you wait....soon the Royal Navy would make a truly cringey blunder. Spoiler: Getting a carrier sunk by the same type of ship the carrier rendered obsolete because they sailed straight into the enemy. Carriers should be able to defend themselves from surface ships without a heavy surface escort simply by staying out of range. Tell that to this crew.

[@abeherbert6603]

Hopefully this channel will finally put to rest the image of the French army as 'cowardly' and 'poorly equipped.' The fault clearly lies higher up the chain of command, not on the shoulders of the brave French soldiers.

[@williestyle35]

Too true!

[@toggafamai4224]

Love your profile pic

[@letatsurrealliste4204]

YES !!!

[@letatsurrealliste4204]

@@williestyle35 ??

[@friedwaldderlebendige8494]

Kinda does tho...

[@maddiewadsworth4027]

It seems that Germany's greatest secret weapon was the French high command.

[@kaczynskis5721]

I don't think they expected them to be as inept as they were, although German air attacks consciously tried to disrupt division and corps HQs.

[@thibskywalker4450]

And the Greatest Weakness of the French Soldiers, who fought despite the incompetence of the high command.

[@AFT_05G]

Nah it was still Blitzkrieg.

[@Conn30Mtenor]

@@AFT_05G it's easy to look unbeatable when your enemies are dinosaurs fighting the previous war.

[@fredericksbays5128]

What do you want. Most were generals from WWI. Old man declare war while young men fight them. Marshal had in the USA gotten all the old WWI officers out of the army as had the English by 1940. The French did not and they lost. Old generals do not make good ones.

[@genericyoutubeaccount579]

I am surprised "reconnaissance in force" has not become a meme.

[@kaczynskis5721]

In the Vietnam War, "reconnaissance by fire" was a fancy term for shooting at bushes and patches of jungle to see if they shot back.

[@cloudwalker9572]

Anakin says this all the time in battlefront II when there's Obi Wan nearby in the middle of fighting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqqwcnmknqqSns0 it's quite fitting x)

[@clemsonpacer1]

*Spoiler* I googled Huntziger , his whole story is like he's a villain from a Bernard Cornwell novel.

[@harmen4436]

I googled it to but it really feels like a major spoiler even when it happend 79 years ago

[@claytonmalone6715]

he was a anti semitic traitorous bastard

[@shawngilliland243]

@clemsonpacer - Wow, having read many of Mr. Cornwell's novels, that is a very vivid description. Thank you for that!

[@georgebush7413]

He's apparently quite good at golf.

[@Satori079]

Too bad the 95th didn't have Sharpe the Germans wouldn't have stood a chance

[@bend1483]

Just FYI Guys. It’s not “Heinkel 3” it’s “Heinkel 111” in British we call them the Heinkel One-Eleven or “He One-Eleven”. One of previous Heinkel designs was the He-70 which influenced the design of the He-111 quite a lot.

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

@@indiananeidell9186 Did the Heinkel threes support the Panzer one-elevens at Sedan? j/k great episode.

[@aaronlease866]

I heard him say this and looked through the comments specifically to see if it bothered anyone as much as me 😂😂 Loving the show!

[@Marcus280898]

In British English we read the aircraft number as individual digits: Heinkel One-One-One, Messerschmitt Two-Six-Two, Boeing Seven-Four-Seven etc

[@franconero181]

Heinkel 3s, funny. Some do fact-check these episodes. Good job on their part, though, despite the occasional faux pas...

[@TFairy-bp5te]

He-70 was also the test airframe for the Merlin engine...

[@bf0189]

The editing in this episode is outstanding and some of the best I’ve seen on KZbin. The way you synchronized the music to the bombings was a master stroke of brilliance.

[@maciejmanna9246]

Indy's narration and Eastory's maps are the best marriage KZbin can offer. Great job! (and ofc equally having in mind all others involved in the production) BTW: Sedan takes me back to old times of Panzer General II

[@E350tb]

The French seem to have given as good a showing as they could have, given the utter muppets in command. They could have seriously blunted Manstein's efforts were it not for Huntziger. But now we have Petain! He's a war hero! He'll save France. Also I'm sure we'll never hear from that de Gaulle fellow again.

[@menitobussolini659]

Who is De Gaulle?I am sure he is not going to do anything important like organising a resistance or become president of France after war.

[@dixieslav1274]

@@menitobussolini659 I think they mean that filthy deserter who disagrees with Petain on just about everything. How do you disagree with Petain? He's a war hero!

[@kaczynskis5721]

@@menitobussolini659 Vichy French referred to him as "Gaulle", removing the aristocratic "de". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_names_and_terms_of_address_used_for_Charles_de_Gaulle

[@auguststorm2037]

YAY ! The Lion of Verdun came back ! The enemy will not pass !!!

[@kaczynskis5721]

@@auguststorm2037 Nope. His WW1 reputation will allow him to be a sort of slow-motion Quisling and at first most will not realise that this is what he is.

[@Artur_M.]

Whoa, looking at this I can hardly imagine how will the weekly episodes look on this channel in say 3-4 years, given how much will be going on at once in different theatres.

[@aachim7]

Well, seems that we finally have found Hötzendorf 2.0

[@TheCimbrianBull]

It's like Windows 98 second edition.

[@alexamerling79]

Just need to find the Cardona 2.0

[@davidblair9877]

Alex Amerling and Enver Pasha v2.0

[@terraflow__bryanburdo4547]

Guderian took "heavy reconnaissance" to a new level.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

It's definitely meme worthy.

[@nooboizee2613]

Crazy how this was considered “double length”. Now the weekly war videos on average approach 30 minutes.

[@joaquinmig]

This episode was brilliant, absolutely detailed, the maps and animations were amazing, the music crescendos added tension and the footage was highly relevant. I’ve been following Indy and Sparty since 2014 and this episode right here shows how much they have grown, it’s great to be a part of this all :)

[@baseddepartment1324]

I never knew Charles Huntizger existed before this video but I now shiver at the mention of his name

[@skabbigkossa]

Excellent, I love that you took the time to make it an extra long episode. I hope you will do so in the future as well for particularily noteworthy developments of the war!

[@crasher925]

12:08 Rommel you magnificent bastard I READ YOUR BOOK!

[@nikitalarionov8247]

I understood that reference

[@theholyhay1555]

WW2 in a nutshell: "Country X" Sets up a government in London"

[@saulgoodmansentme1992]

@@cpob2013 flailing?

[@MegaTang1234]

*Breakthrough French Lines* Germany: "Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru" France: "Quoi!"

[@thatonecrytian8997]

Britain: “Nani!?”

[@CarrotConsumer]

Britain: u wot m8?

[@seneca983]

"Du bist bereits tot"

[@TheCimbrianBull]

The Dark Lord: "ore wa o Chin Chin ga daisuki onanda yo"

[@RedbadofFrisia]

*Nichts Persönliches, Jung*

[@mmm7400]

No wonder Huntziger will be the one to negotiate the infamous armistice for the defeated French. Thumbs up for this episode. Historically accurate and well produced !

[@rianquinn7833]

This is AMAZING. This is such a good video. I'm literally getting goosebumps watching squares move around a screen. The commentary makes it so real!

[@HistoryHustle]

I would have loved to see the Battle of the Grebbeberg mentioned, where actually the biggest fighting in the Netherlands took place. I understand that even with more time not everything can be mentioned. I like this indepth episode with inspiring delivery by Indy and great animated maps by Eastery.

[@Sylvysprit]

Agreed

[@jobfranschman8436]

History Hustle op Instagram is daar meer over gezegd. Zie de vastgezetten comment

[@HistoryHustle]

@@indiananeidell9186 I did, loved it. Perhaps I was also curious how you would pronounce "Grebbeberg" Indy. Let Joram be your guide :)

[@astahfirula]

Been in the edge of my seat the whole episode. Amazing job guys. I don't remember being this tense before watching either movies or documentaries. bravo!!!

[@criminy_]

I was concerned because when I first saw the list of episodes, this one was listed as deleted. I'm glad it's back up. It's well worth the watch.

[@TheBreadB]

KZbin took it down, but now it's back! So happy!

[@WorldWarTwo]

It is back after being down for four days.

[@Pirusiandres]

10:45 Wow! Indy you visited the Maginot line during war time. You’re really brave!

[@akillerpacman1709]

*It’s the Kaiserschlacht all over again boys...* - A grizzled Great War Veteran to his younger soldiers 1940

[@bkjeong4302]

A killer Pacman Except they actually get France to capitulate this time.

[@beardymonger]

As a devout viewer of The Grate War (4 or 5 years of viewing), WW2 channel started slow for me, and I was thinking it's not on the same level... Then came this episode. Thank you, you produce top quality content!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Wow, thanks a lot! And thanks for keeping us on our toes. Expect more stuff like this in the future!

[@Furudal]

The best episode so far! I really appreciate the longer episode. For me every episode could be 20 min but I understand that you are constrained in production. I can imagine a few dates in the future that will warrant longer episodes... 22.06.41, 07.12.41, 04.06.42... Keep up the good work!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Yup, you're right! and thank you,

[@mrw9044]

nearing 4 years onwards, this is just so rewatchable. Great work guys.

[@honorablespartan]

French Command: Fails to coordinate. Germany: Punches Through. French Command: :O

[@randomguy-tg7ok]

(Surprised Pikachu face)

[@dongblak7048]

"Sacrebleu!"*

[@indianajones4321]

Conspiracy theory: Huntziger is Hötzendorf

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Illuminati confirmed!

[@gogogomes7025]

When you want to research more about Charles Huntzinger, but you also dont want any spoilers...

[@warwickeng5491]

I coulnd't resist it :( He sounds too incompetent to simply be incompetent

[@BallsRollProjects]

He was a traitor and joined the vichy france

[@tostadatheviking7828]

GOGOgomes He might’ve even been planted by the Nazis

[@Ystadcop]

A protracted and complicated period of history painstakingly explained. The best war documentary I've ever seen in my quite long life.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you!

[@gianlucaborg195]

You delivered as promised, a double length episode and without compromising quality and, in my opinion, increasing it as you had more space to make them. Indeed, I would suggest increasing from the usual time by 3-5 minutes which would give you more space to put in the stuff you research. Something I would also like to suggest is that you create a few profile episodes of the generals, looking at their backgrounds, and some highlights of the various generals particularly the Belgians, the French and others which we dont hear much about.

[@gianlucaborg195]

@@indiananeidell9186 Thank you, and keep it up! Again, here's for another successful series!

[@mr_mickals5657]

I could literally sit here for an hour or more watching week by week so I was so excited to find out this was pretty much a double episode. The detail this man goes into just keeps you wanting more and more. I believe most loyal supporters would watch 30 min episodes no problems. Ive learnt more about ww2 these past 55 episodes then i have my entire life.. Keep up the good work you are all doing.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you so much for your kind comment. We are happy to see that our effort educates and inspires people as we envisioned. People like you give us the motivation to keep going!

[@a-8007]

That was the most well-spent 20 minutes of my life. Thank you Time Ghost team.

[@ernestebell1735]

Hope you guys do a special on Stukas (one of the most iconic planes of the war) and other aircraft. Great episode, and it connects so beautifully with your on location episode on the Maginot Line.

[@DahvPlays]

Good to see this is back up, by far your best work so far and the best summary of the Invasion of France in video form. Cheers, keep up the good work!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks! We will

[@Uncle_Fred]

This is the match of anything we saw in the Great War channel. Audio, visuals, narrative, presentation, all top notch. Congratulations.

[@SovietDoge]

According to my grandpa, the ruins of Rotterdam made for great playgrounds.

[@martijn9568]

Sad, but true

[@astrobot4017]

I guess he never found a dud

[@SovietDoge]

​@@astrobot4017 if he did, this comment would have never existed

[@astrobot4017]

@@SovietDoge That's what I implied

[@kaczynskis5721]

There will be many such ruins. It's amazing what war will create for children to play with. I have seen a photo of Russian village children near Stalingrad playing with abandoned German machine-guns in early 1943.

[@carlmanson6634]

A great series on the war affecting the time in which we now live, the importance of this conflict is so well explained, and produced, but Mr Neidell’s passion and charisma truly make it stand out from all others. Thank you.

[@James-zh6nf]

You guys are legendary, the quality is unreal.

[@alptugtokeser5941]

This was by far one of the best episodes. Many thanks to everyone involved in the production of it!

[@marcblackburn5920]

Thank you for highlighting the tenacity of the French on the ground. The fact that the high command failed indicates the systemic weaknesses of French doctrine. Perhaps, when you sum up the fall of France, that can be emphasised. As a student of the formulation, construction, and combat of the Maginot Line, the defenses that to the north of the core of the line should more appropriately be called an extension rather than part of the line itself. There is an excellent four volume history of the line (in French) called Hommes et Ouvrages that should be consulted. Thanks for all of your efforts and keep up the good work!

[@randomclouds4404]

20 minute episode, here we go! I appreciate the lengths you go to deliver content. Excellent job!

[@TallDude73]

That was awesome! As the episode was ending, I thought it was just the first 10-minute half that was over, and there would be a second part, but sadly, the full 20 riveting minutes flew by and it was over. Great content, everyone.

[@derekk.2263]

I love this format so much. It has never really sunk in for me until just now how unbelievably quickly the germans were able to defeat france. It really is shocking. Keep up the great work!

[@Gonzalouchikari]

So, basically, Hutzinger (and other allied commanders) deserves the "Local Man Ruins Everything"?

[@crimsonstrykr]

Yep. Dammit Huntzinger I know you have a german sounding name but at least try to ACT like a french commander!

[@graysonsutherlin295]

Great production! The way the music swells up during the bombing raids at 4:25 and 5:04.

[@cannonfodder4376]

I must say I have been looking forward to how you would cover the Battle of France. And damn great work to watch during lunch. The quality of presentation is simply stellar and you described everything with gravitas. 20 minutes of pure drama and informative history. The leadership disparity is simply staggering, one can see why even the Germans afterward could see how much their gamble only paid off because of the incompetence of the allied leadership and dumb luck. They never expected such success.

[@JasonSkye]

I've got to say, these animated maps showing the movement of forces down to division level are extremely well done, and a fascinating addition to the videos.

[@juanhenao8687]

Love the amount of detail you guys put for such an important episode. The maps are also beautiful. Keep up the amazing job!

[@MwaelG]

This is absolutly breath taking. I can see that you have made a tremendous effort in making this. Thank you for your work, it has been so worth it and more. This cannot be taken for granted. All the best for the future!

[@TripleEye_Josh]

Oh shit, I need a cigarette after this episode. And I don't even smoke.

[@jaxu7505]

This videos are getting better and better every week! Amazing quality, amazing to watch!

[@gunman47]

It's finally good to see it back up. Let's hope that it doesn't get taken again for some silly reason.

[@TheDancingHyena]

These animations of the front are gorgeous. Thank you so much! Top-notch quality.

[@scoringbox2176]

It’s ridiculous that this video was even deleted in the first place. This internet censorship needs to be stopped immediately.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

The crypto scam posts are not being stopped . . .

[@echoesfrominfinityunveiled]

Finally caught up with you after finishing WW1, B2W and the 38 episodes of WW2! What brilliant work you are doing Indie and team!

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks a lot! good thing there's new videos every week!

[@CaptainHaddocck]

RIP to all our european ancestors that fought those days and gave their lives.

[@seeyouchump]

"ancestors", you are talking like it's been thousands years ago

[@CaptainHaddocck]

@@seeyouchump No I'm not. Someone that goes 3-4 generations back and died fighting, is your ancestor. Any questions?

[@Myanmartiger921]

@@CaptainHaddocck bruh it was 75 years ago assuming you are atleast 18 that makes it just 50 years ago a genreation is 30 years so its 1.5 genreations ago

[@PNurmi]

Seeing how WW2 shapes today's events, understanding this key time of the war with this level of detail is extremely instructive to the non-military viewer. While I think I had a good understanding due to my interest in history and naval service, your detailed videos have given a degree of clarity I never had the opportunity to have before. Thanks and looking forward to more episodes.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

I absolutely agree with you. 👍

[@jamestang1227]

I just hope Huntzinger becomes the sequel's Hotzendorf/Enver Pasha/Cadorna, or at least one of them because there are going to be more.

[@unacittabizzarraechiassosa4143]

Just wait for Graziani.

[@lhaviland8602]

@@unacittabizzarraechiassosa4143 Judging by the Italian-ness of that name he can't be anything but lulz worthy.

[@aaronlopez6095]

Keep up the great work Indy and crew I’ve learned so much from reading soo many books and watching you since the Great War!

[@ognjenpetrovic5843]

Huntzinger went full Hötzendorf. Never went full Hötzendorf.

[@TheCimbrianBull]

@J K Oh, don't worry. He'll soon enough get what he deserves.

[@ofmiseandmen5301]

LOVE these episodes. Look forward to them all week! Keep up the amazing work!

[@gogogomes7025]

Me: time for my saturday morning ritual of watching WW2 in real time. Also me: _sees 20 min vídeo_ Me still: *DIES*

[@zachary8491]

Best episode yet. From a former french soldier who lived in the Ardennes for many years, thank you for giving a fair english speaking account of events

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it! It's hard to reach a bigger audience in France. I presume because of language barriers, but also because I think that popular culture has turned the narrative of the Invasion of France into a joke where the French look like cowards and nothing else...

[@Sturmdude]

Welcome back Episode 38!

[@SNOUPS4]

This was a very good episode, thanks for having made it!

[@astrobot4017]

Ever realised that the close fullscreen button is the Balkenkreuz?

[@TheCimbrianBull]

Coincidence? I think not!

[@eimartin]

What a great episode. And it was so well produced!! Thank you for taking the time to make it longer and provide even more detailed info. The maps were so helpful, kudos to the animation team.

[@WorldWarTwo]

Thank you very much! The 'animation team' is just one guy. He goes by 'Eastory', and has a KZbin channel of his own that you definitely should check out. Thanks for the kind words. We all worked very hard on this episode and we are quite proud with our efforts.

[@McDragoneer]

amazing animations, absolutely stunning! also brace yourself for a 60min episode when barbarossa hits :)

[@caeserromero3013]

Interesting contrast of national character between Reynaud and Churchill. It seems the French reaction to pessimism is more pessimism and defeatism, yet the British reaction to pessimism is increased determination.