Battle of Abbeville

France, May 1940 - The Allied High Command has already ordered several counter-attacks against the German bridgehead on the Somme river to the south of Abbeville; alas they have all failed. After the defeat of the British 1st Armoured Division, …

1940-05-28

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France, May 1940 - The Allied High Command has already ordered several counter-attacks against the German bridgehead on the Somme river to the south of Abbeville; alas they have all failed. After the defeat of the British 1st Armoured Division, it is the 4th French Armored Division (4th DCR) of De Gaulle, recently promoted to temporary General, that is called into action. With all the might of its 150 armored vehicles, including 30 B1-bis heavy tanks and 3 infantry battalions supplemented by the 22nd RIC on loan from a neighboring division, the 4th DCR hammers the positions of the 57th Infantry Division on the bridgehead. On May 28, the French seize Huppy and progress toward the Somme, crushing the German anti-tank guns which are ill-equipped to pierce the heavy armor of the B1-bis. On the German side, chaos ensues and troops start withdrawing toward Abbeville. Evening falls and the French, not realizing the scope of their success, fail to press their advantage further. On the 29th, the French renew their push, primarily toward Mont de Caubert. But the German troops dug-in on these heights use their Flak 88 guns to repel any advance, destroying several heavy tanks, and managing to hold the line. By the end of that day, the opportunity to push the Germans back behind the Somme has vanished. On the 30th, the French launch one final attack against Mont de Caubert, where they face a reinvigorated opponent. By the 31st, they are spent and replaced by the 51st "Highland Division". Abbeville is still in German hands.

Abbeville, France

The Battle of Abbeville took place from 27 May to 4 June 1940, near Abbeville during the Battle of France in the Second World War. On 20 May, the 2nd Panzer Division advanced 56 miles (90 km) to Abbeville on the English Channel, overran the 25th Infantry Brigade of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and captured the town at 8:30 p.m. Only a few British survivors managed to retreat to the south bank of the Somme and at 2:00 a.m. on 21 May, the III Battalion, Rifle Regiment 2 reached the coast, west of Noyelles-sur-Mer.

Wikipedia: Battle of Abbeville

German

French

Game Type: Breakthrough

Board Type: Countryside

Website Access: Available