Ad Hoc at Beaurains

Quite unexpectedly, the British launched a major counterattack from Arras against the spearheads of Rommel's breakthrough, catching the initial German units unprepared as they attempted to deploy. The Germans were able to halt the supporting infantry of the Durham Light …

1940-05-21

30

Quite unexpectedly, the British launched a major counterattack from Arras against the spearheads of Rommel's breakthrough, catching the initial German units unprepared as they attempted to deploy. The Germans were able to halt the supporting infantry of the Durham Light Regiment but the British armor under General Martel pushed on alone deep into the German position. Desperately, Rommel, using elements of his own 6th Rifle Brigade along with any guns he could round up, pieced together a defense outside of Beaurains. Here the lone tanks of the 4th Royal Tank Regiment took on Rommel's scratch Kampffgruppe.

Arras, France

The Battle of Arras took place on 21 May 1940, during the Battle of France in the Second World War. Following the German invasion of the Low Countries on 10 May, French and British forces advanced into Belgium. The German campaign plan Fall Gelb had evolved into a decoy operation in the Netherlands and Belgium, with the main effort through the Ardennes. German units crossed the Meuse without waiting for reinforcements at the Battle of Sedan. Instead of consolidating bridgeheads on the west bank of the Meuse, the Germans began an advance down the Somme river valley towards the English Channel.

Wikipedia: Battle of Arras (1940)

German

French