Why Did France Collapse So Quickly In World War Two?

In 1938 upon returning to England after singing a peace agreement with Hitler, Neville Chamberlin famously said that this was "peace for our time". Just one year later, England would be declaring war on Germany after their invasion of Poland. How did this agreement with Hitler that he had no more plans for territorial gain end up in the biggest and bloodiest conflict in human history?

In June 1940 Nazi Germany overran France and forced the British army to evacuate at Dunkirk. Severely lacking in military equipment, Britain and her empire now stood alone against Adolf Hitler's forces. Nevertheless, Winston Churchill, Britain's new prime minister, refused to come to peace terms, forcing Hitler to plan an invasion - codenamed Operation Sea Lion. To stand any chance of crossing the English Channel, Germany needed to achieve mastery of the skies above Southern England during that summer. The Battle of Britain - the first major battle to be decided entirely by air power - began.

Dan Snow meets celebrated military historian Saul David at the National Archives to dig into the top secret documents that tell the story of the incredible planning that went into D-Day. Hidden in the archives for decades, these papers and photographs reveal meticulous preparations coupled with extraordinary acts of heroism by men and women, researching the Normandy beaches and creating a web of deception that kept German forces guessing where the landings were coming. Using everything from midget submarines to double cross codes, they gave the men assaulting the beaches a fighting chance of success. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

Witness the Allied Forces' relentless push from the west and the Red Army's advance from the east as they close in on Berlin. Discover the dramatic battles, key figures, and pivotal moments leading to Hitler's downfall and Germany's ultimate defeat War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

When Iraqi forces under the leadership of Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1991, a coalition of Western countries sprang into action. Known as The Gulf War, a military operation by Western powers has rarely been over so quickly, within 100 hours of the ground assault beginning, the coalition forces stopped their advance. War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

Step into history with Hitler's Countdown to War as we delve into the turbulent events leading to World War II. Explore the pivotal moments, from the annexation of Austria to the invasion of Czechoslovakia and the looming threat of Poland. Witness Hitler's strategic moves, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the unexpected twists that shaped the countdown to global conflict. Uncover the complexities of Hitler's decision-making and the underlying tensions that pushed the world to the brink of destruction in this gripping historical analysis. 🚨 Delve into the brink of conflict with Hitler's Countdown To War on Banijay History! Uncover the pivotal moments that led to WWII. Explore the pivotal 18 months leading to World War II in Hitler's Countdown to War. Commencing on March 12, 1938, when Hitler's forces entered Austria, and concluding on September 3, 1939, with Britain and France declaring war on Germany after the invasion of Poland. This history series delves into Adolf Hitler's decisions and actions during this crucial period, unravelling the story day by day. Witness the rise of a bully, gambler, and manipulator whose choices shaped