Siege of Lille (1940)
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The siege of Lille, or Lille pocket, (28–31 May 1940) took place during the Battle of France in the Second World War. The siege around the city of Lille took place between the French IV Corps and V Corps (about 40,000 men) of the First Army (General René Prioux) and four German infantry divisions supported by three panzer divisions.
Siege of Lille | |||||||||
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Part of the Battle of France in the Second World War | |||||||||
Situation, 21 May – 4 June 1940 | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
France | Germany | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Jean-Baptiste Molinié (POW) Alphonse Juin (POW) Gustave Mesny (POW) |
Alfred Wäger Erwin Rommel Joachim Lemelsen Max von Hartlieb-Walsporn Ludwig Ritter von Radlmeier Fritz Kühne (POW) | ||||||||
Strength | |||||||||
Elements of 6 divisions |
4 infantry divisions | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
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The III Corps of the First Army had managed to retreat to the Lys river with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) divisions nearby. The two surrounded French corps resisted German attacks until forced to surrender at midnight on 31 May/1 June. The defence of the Lille Pocket enabled more Allied troops to retreat into the Dunkirk perimeter and take part in the Battle of Dunkirk.