German Advances in the West, 1940
Divide and Conquer is the third of seven documentaries from the Why We Fight series directed by Frank Capra. Released between 1942 and 1945, these films were shown to American military personnel for instructional purposes; these films also served as American propaganda during World War II. This episode focuses on the German conquests of Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. Topics include Nazi collaborator Major Quisling in Norway, the bombing of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, German advances through the Ardennes Forest, the defeat of France, the evacuation of British and French troops at Dunkirk, and the formation of the free French forces led by Charles De Gaulle. The video also examines the disillusionment of the French people after World War I and the contrast between General Foch (who believed in the attack) and Andre Maginot (who believed in the defense as evidenced by the construction of the Maginot Line on the boundary with Germany). Despite its age, this documentary is a succinct and informative overview of German conquests in the West in the early years of World War II.
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