1. THE EARLY SUCCESSES OF GERMANY

2. PRE-WAR DEVELOPMENTS PANZERS - e.g. Panzer III - Modern German tanks. LUFTWAFFE - e.g. Stuka dive-bombers - The most capable air force in the world when war broke out. INFANTRY - e.g. fallschirmjäger troops - Overall the army was one of the best fighting forces at the time.

3. POLAND - The Polish army was outdated. For example Poland still had very large cavalry forces operating. It had barely anything that was as technically advanced as what Germany had. - Blitzkrieg ("lightning war") was used for the first time: enemy defences and strategically important targets were bombed by airplanes and artillery, which was followed by an immediate attack by tanks and motorized infantry. (- The Soviets also invaded Poland alongside Germany.)

4. DENMARK & NORWAY - Both Denmark and Norway had small armies when compared to Germany. Like Poland, neither had much chance. - Denmark was only important to Germany as a neighbouring country to be controlled and as a basis for the invasion of Norway. - Norway was an excellent location for U-boat bases and provided Germany access to iron ore located in Sweden.

5. PLAN GELB ("YELLOW") The French did not think the Germans would dare to attack through the Ardennes forest as it was so thick. However, this is exactly what happened, and the Germans easily trapped their enemies by advancing to the Channel as had been planned. 2. The strongest attack went through the Ardennes forest, which the French did not defend against properly. 1. To the north of the main attack, German forces went for the heart of Holland & Belgium. 3. French, British and Belgian forces were surrounded by the German advance to the English Channel.

6. HOLLAND & BELGIUM - Holland's forces were outdated, poorly equipped and had little experience. Even Hitler himself expected a victory in a week or so. - Belgium had a similar situation. It mimicked the French strategy of using large fortifications to fend off the Germans. Fort Eben Emael was considered the strongest fortress in the world, being resistant to heavy bombing and housing 1000+ men and various artillery, anti-tank and anti-air guns. However, it was made virtually useless by 70 fallschirmjägers within 20 minutes.The fort's forces had poor morale, little combat experience, didn't maintain their weaponry properly and were victims of terrible organization in command.

7. FRANCE (& BRITAIN) - Most of the best French troops and British Expeditionary Force had been surrounded in Dunkirk as a result of Plan Gelb. Almost all of them escaped to Britain over theChannel, leaving behind a majority of both the French and British heavy weapons and machinery. - With not enough troops to hold the now much wider front and nearly no heavy weapons available, it was only a matter of time before the German forces broke through the French lines and took Paris, effectively marking the end and success of Plan Gelb.