The Wehrmacht turns west

5th June 1940: Not pausing after their crushing victories on the north coast, the Germans head for the heart of France

German infantry on the march in France, June 1940.

The sudden German breakthrough at Sedan, just days after the attack on France had begun, had almost brought about a complete French collapse. At the time, it had appeared that the Wehrmacht was headed straight for Paris. The turn to the coast, which had encircled the BEF and large French forces, had give…