Summary of what happened in Episode III: [actions based on survey results by our readers].

On April 28, 1940, after a fierce battle that raged around the city for two weeks, German forces entered Paris. As the defeated French government began preparations to negotiate with their conquerors, the Wehrmacht pushed on towards Dunkirk, where the routed British Royal Marines were attempting to retreat back to England. Heavy bombardment by the Royal Navy slowed the pursuit, and allowed the exhausted Brits to make good their escape. On May 5, 1940, the French officially surrendered to the Axis.

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Paris falls to the Axis

Correctly interpreting the rapidly deteriorating situation just prior to the fall of the capital, the Allied Supreme Commander ordered the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and DeGaulle’s newly-reformed 4th Armoured Division to secure ports several hundred kilometers behind the front. This fortuitous action allowed the withdrawal of these forces to the UK, where they shall live to fight another day. Alas, this was the only bright spot in what was indeed a very dark moment for the Allied forces.

(For complete details on the Fall of France, please click here).

The stunningly quick defeat of the French forces, once thought to be the cream of the world’s military, had further repercussions on the already disheartened Allies. Lightning negotiations between Berlin and Madrid saw Franco throw his hat in with the Axis powers, and declare war on the Allies. Ceding former French colonies in Africa to the Spanish, Germany had gained another ally. This turned out to be a mixed blessing for the Axis, however… Backstabbing the traitorous Vichy French had once again caused them to change allegiance, and swear to fight for the Allied cause to the death. Substantial Vichy forces joined their Free-French brothers, and bolstered the Allied ranks at a most desperate time.

Spain joins the Axis cause (click on image to enlarge)

This series of events did not go unnoticed by the ’slumbering giant’ to the west, however. The rapid defeat of France, ceaseless bombing of England’s cities and airfields, and constant pressure from British diplomats were beginning to take their toll on the neutralist population of the United States. Spain’s entry into the war, which would certainly spell the end of British-held Gibraltar and the lifeline convoys to and from the Mediterranean, might alone have been enough to cause the Americans to join the Allied cause. Yet there was more stunning news…

The icing-on-the-cake proved to be the discovery that the Germans had secretly been converting their industrial base towards a full war economy for several years. Their potential is far greater than was earlier anticipated, and the amount of equipment and vehicles the Germans could field was likely to be considerably higher than expected. The public outcry of the American citizenry was stunning. Emboldened by this new turn of events, Roosevelt called for a Declaration of War (DoW) against the Axis powers. The American Congress, by the narrowest of margins, had agreed.

The United States was at war.

(For complete details on Spain, the Vichy French, and the entry of the Americans, please click here).

May 19, 1940 saw the beginning of the Battle of Britain. Fierce battles raged in the skies above England as the German and Italian air forces strived for dominance over the valiant RAF (Royal Air Force). With tremendous damage done both to the vital airfields and large population centres such as London itself, the Axis took control of the skies. The situation went from bad to worse, as June 23 saw the Axis capture of Gibraltar. By July, there could be little doubt, the Germans had won the Battle of Britain. With grim determination, the Allied defenders began their preparations for defensive positions on the beaches in earnest. The next step for the Axis was clear…

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