Does anyone know of a website or on-line article that shows the locations of the Divisions and Brigades of the B.E.F at 10th May 1940? Thanks in advance, David.
I doubt there is a single place where all the information you require is laid out exactly as you want it - unless somebody else has previously gone through the very same thought process as you are now. However, there is plenty of material available across a range of locations for you to piece it all together quite accurately. Shouldn't take too much time for you to do it as there was only a handful of formations to look out for.
Hi Drew. 1st Infantry Division 2nd Infantry Division 3rd Infantry Division 4th Infantry Division 5th Infantry Division 12th Infantry Division 23rd Infantry Division 42nd Infantry Division 44th Infantry Division 46th Infantry Division 48th Infantry Division 50th Motorised Infantry Division 51st Infantry Division 52nd Infantry Division Kind regards, David.
Oh! You want to know about the divisions back in the UK too. That does complicate things and up the workload somewhat. I am sure you can find all the info you need for the formations in France by reading through this site alone. Details regarding those in the UK is likely to be a quite different story.
What is your interest? Why do you want to know? A little bit of context might help. 3 Div's HQ was Frome (Nigel Hamilton: Monty) 50 Div assembled at Knutsford Cheshire, which is probably where they were on 10 June then to Dorset (delaforce Monty's Northern Legions) 12 Div - labour formation overrun in France 20 May disbanded 11 July 1940 (Jocelyn: orders of Battle ) 23 Div - labour formation overrun in France 20 May disbanded 30 June 1940 (Jocelyn: orders of Battle) 51st Div St Valery Normandy https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/maps/UK-NWE-Flanders-13.jpg 52nd Div Between Cherbourg and Rennes https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/UK-NWE-Flanders-21.html
Hi Sheldrake. I'm looking for locations of the divisions at 10th May 1940 to create a realistic starting scenario for the battle of France. I have the Dutch, Belgian, and 95% of the French. i am just starting with the B.E.F. But am leaving the Germans until last. Kind regards, David.
Starting scenario? 10th June 1940? Suggest you have a thorough read of Ellis' official history before you go any further. Will provide much of the info you are looking for, if not all.
You are correct! That's super embarrassing! I was thinking of Italy's entry into WWII and put that date instead.
Well, if you are after details relating to the start of Fall Gelb rather than 5 days after the start of Fall Rot, then it you are covering ground done to death a million times already. As above, for the British forces, have a thorough read of Ellis' official history. For the Germans, l believe a complete record of Fall Gelb planning and concentration of forces is online at germandocsinrussia
I think 52nd Div only arrived after the British involvement in the Battle of France was pretty much over - off the boat and back on the boat very quickly although to be honest my knowledge of the 1940 campaign isn't great
Indeed. It would need to be included in the original request for 10 June but not an earlier date in May. Still, whatever date he really wants information for, l imagine almost everything can be extracted from Ellis' official history - especially the 9-10 May timeframe. The tricky thing will be to decide whether he wants to take the start locations in France or the advanced positions in Belgium they then moved to to face the Germans.
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/index.html A map that may help. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/UK/UK-NWE-Flanders/maps/UK-NWE-Flanders-1.jpg
Indeed. Ellis' official history is the obvious start point for this. It's what Sheldrake pointed to, myself and now you. Problem for DavidW will be whether he wants to use the locations in France in the evening of 9 May - when the Germans began their advance - list the locations as "on the move" which is applicable for much of 10 and 11 May, or try to identify the exact location of the various formation HQs on the road at some specified time on 10 May, or the arrival locations in Belgium after the move. The last option is the one most go for which has certain merits but of course is not the correct location if specifying where anything was at the "start" of Fall Gelb. I mean, if you take the "start" point of the Germans on 9 May as being in Germany, aligning that with locations of the British in Belgium on the 12 May is not a 'true' comparison.