Luxemburg May 10, 1940

system · August 11, 2021, 5:50pm

GRAND DUCHY OVERRUN This little country, sandwiched between France, Belgium and Germany, was invaded on that eventful May 10. With only a nominal army of some 250 men, this little state could do no more than raise an ineffectual protest. The picture shows German armed motor cyclists crossing into Luxemburg to meet the French troops which had gone to the aid of the Grand Duchy.

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.ww2incolor.com/gallery/german-forces/51116/luxemburg-may-10-1940

Neutral · February 18, 2014, 10:40pm

The invasion of Luxembourg serves as a good example of the almost criminal lack of initiative shown by the French Army at this early stage of the campaign. When the leading elements of the French 3ème D.L.C. arrived at the border they waited patiently outside the customs post for the OK from the Luxembourg authorities to cross into Esch-sur-Alzette. Permission was granted around 8.00 am, in the meantime Stosstrupp Oswald entered the town from the North and ended up luring the French forces into an ambush at the Northern end of the town at 8.10am. Time lost with useless red tape cost the French forces several wounded, at least one armoured car and ultimately the town.

system · August 11, 2021, 5:50pm

leccy · February 19, 2014, 12:26am

Lack of initiative or not wanting to be seen the aggressor - no one on the Allied or Axis side predicted what would and did happen in the fighting over France and the Low countries.

Likewise with Belgium only letting the allies enter on the day it was invaded, - not earlier to help prepare the positions promised.

brummbar · February 20, 2014, 7:36pm

"Luxembourg makes an orderly impression. It seems a clean and affluent country. The inhabitants look at us with curiosity, neither friendly nor hostile. They have probably not yet got over their astonishment at watching an endless procession of German columns with artillery, armoured reconnaissance vehicles, radio cars and now tanks filing past them since early this morning. On the straight, wide, well-paved roads we keep up a good pace. Woods, waving corn-flelds, streams and villages follow each other in quick succession: Reisdorf — Diekirch — the Rivers Alzette end Work — Grossbus — the Forest of Arsdorf — Martelange, then the Belgian frontier!"

The Germans encountered no real resistance in Luxemburg - understandable for such a small country. In fact, hardly a shot had been fired; Luxemburg losses were heaviest and accounted to six lightly injured gendarmes. Plus, one soldier had his ear slapped for trying to stop a panzer division on his own.(taken from Mylittlepanzer.org)