“The hour has come for the decisive battle for the future of the German nation. For 300 years the rulers of England and France have made it their aim to prevent any real consolidation of Europe and above all to keep Germany weak and helpless. With this your hour has come. The fight which begins today will decide the destiny of the German people for 1,000 years. Now do your duty.”
Thus Hitler to his army on the eve of the assault against the west. The army’s duty was to conquer Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, overrun France, and bring Britain to her knees. It did not seem too difficult. The attack had all been planned with meticulous care and, in its early stages, it was carried through with consummate skill. Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg seemed assured. It was one of the most skillfully conceived and competently conducted campaigns in military history.