Operation Sichelschnitt was the code name for the World War II German military operation through which the Wehrmacht invaded Holland and northern Belgium. It was launched on May 10, 1940, in combination with two other major operations which sealed the fate of France: Fall Gelb and Fall Rot; the former through the Ardennes (southern Belgium), the latter bypassing the Maginot Line. Operation Sichelschnitt was a well thought out and planned attack on the Low Countries and appeared to mark Germany’s victory in the war.
Sichelschnitt (sickle stroke) was successfully executed by Army Group B, commanded by Fedor von Bock. This army group was composed of approximatel 300,000 men allocated in 26 infantry and three Panzer divisions. It was a successful campaign carried out in 18 days, ending with the surrender of the Belgian and Dutch Armies. The most important military engagements were the Battle of Hannut and the Battle of Fort Eben-Emael, which was a superb triumph of the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers).
Operation Sichelschnitt Video Part I (in German)
Operation Sichelschnitt Part II
